A political explosion has erupted in Kyiv. On 19 November, the Ukrainian parliament voted to dismiss Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk amid a massive corruption scandal in “Energoatom.” The events are unfloding at a moment when Russia is deliberately destroying Ukraine’s energy system.

The decision became the culmination of an investigation by Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, which uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme in Energoatom. According to investigators, the suspects managed to “launder” $100 million. Some of the money was transferred to Russia, BBC reports. 

Liudmyla Suhak, currently responsible for European integration, has been appointed as the acting head of the Ministry of Justice. Who will replace Hrynchuk remains unknown.

Scandalous ties that shocked parliament and the entire country

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded the dismissal of both ministers back on 12 November, stressing, “This is a matter of trust. If there are accusations, they must be answered.”

On 14 November, the fifth day after the publication of the “Midas” intercepted calls recordings, which have exposed the scheme, the president removed Hrynchuk and Halushchenko from the National Security and Defense Council.

Personal details also emerged in court, indicating that both officials engaged in relationships that went beyond their professional roles. The investigators claimed that Hrynchuk repeatedly spent the night at Halushchenko’s apartment. This occurred on the night of 23 July, on 28 July, and on the night of 12 August, as per TSN. Both officials are divorced. Hrynchuk denied these claims.

According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the scheme was organized by businessman and longtime Zelenskyy's associate Tymur Mindich, co-owner of “Kvartal 95.” Energoatom suppliers were required to pay a 10–15% kickback. Otherwise, they would simply not be allowed through the state company’s “checkpoint.”

The entire Ukraine waits as Zelenskyy announces further "decisive steps"

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy, currently on a visit to Turkiye, has announced important decisions upon his return to Ukraine.

“I am preparing several necessary legislative initiatives and principled, rapid decisions that our state needs," he says.

The Ukrainian leader has also ordered preparations for a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff. Discussions with the government, the Ukrainian parliament, and his Servant of the People faction are also planned. 

At the same time, the High Anti-Corruption Court continues to consider preventive measures for the suspects. The entire country is watching as one of the largest anti-corruption cases of wartime unfolds. 

The corruption scandal in Ukraine continues to unfold. The Ukrainian opposition is demanding the resignation of the government, which allegedly allowed the embezzlement of $100 million from Energoatom, the only enterprise servicing the country’s nuclear power plants. According to the investigation, officials clearly failed to properly build protective shelters over energy facilities amid Russian attacks, UkrInform reports. 

Europe assessed the investigation positively, stating that it demonstrated the functioning of anti-corruption institutions. At the same time, those responsible must be held accountable. Ministers are implicated in the scheme, and businessman Tymur Mindich, a close associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is named as the organizer.

Corruption scandal escalates into demands for government resignation

On 18 November, the parliamentary faction European Solidarity, led by former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, blocked the rostrum in the Ukrainian Parliament to prevent a vote on the dismissal of Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko. The faction insists on the dismissal of the entire government instead.

Poroshenko has stated that trust in the authorities has collapsed. He has stated the need to dismiss the current Cabinet of Ministers and form a “government of national unity.”

It would unite representatives of various political forces, both from the ruling party and the opposition, to work together on ensuring the country’s survival and defense during the war, when society is especially sensitive to military and hybrid threats from Russia.

Previously, in 2024, Ukraine appointed Oleksii Chernyshov as Minister of National Unity. However, it has emerged that Chernyshov is also implicated in the “Mindichgate” case as one of the key figures. According to investigators, he allegedly received kickbacks from service suppliers with a 10–15% markup. In total, transfers of $1.2 million and nearly €100,000 were recorded.

51 deputies have already signed a no-confidence motion against the government

According to Poroshenko, 51 lawmakers have already signed a motion of no confidence in the current government. There are about 400 MPs in the Ukrainian Parliament.

“We will not allow a vote on these two ministers today. We state responsibly: we will not vote for an attempt to ‘release steam’ and preserve the corruption vertical,” Poroshenko said.

He urged colleagues to sign for the government’s dismissal.

After this, deputies began chanting: “Government out!”

Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk then announced a recess in the plenary session. According to the deputies, the Ukrainian Parliament's work for the day was over.

€140 billion of frozen Russian assets at stake 

Meanwhile, Ukraine is counting on the possibility of utilizing €140 billion of frozen Russian assets for a reparations loan to Ukraine, held in Europe. Such aid could be a unique opportunity for the state, especially since the US has ceased military aid following Donald Trump's election.

However, legal challenges in using these assets are compounded by concerns over how the money might be utilized amid the backdrop of the corruption scandal.

The scandal in Ukraine erupted after the release of the latest European Commission report on the EU candidate countries, presented last week. It provides a clear assessment that Ukraine has made limited progress in the fight against corruption.