Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) released audio evidence from Operation Midas capturing suspects plotting 10–15% kickbacks on Ukraine's nuclear operator protection contracts.

Businessman Tymur Mindich, allegedly one of the key suspects, remains fugitive as parliament prepares dismissal votes for high-ranking officials and the opposition European Solidarity party, led by former president Petro Poroshenko, pushes to disband the entire Cabinet of Ministers.

The 15-month investigation exposed a $100 million kickback scheme on contracts for nuclear facility protection—infrastructure Russia has systematically targeted throughout the war. With parliament now considering dismissal of top energy officials and Ukraine seeking Western funds for energy infrastructure, the case demonstrates whether anti-corruption institutions can deliver the accountability Western partners require.

NABU tapes reveal protection racket at nuclear operator

NABU published recordings capturing suspects discussing systematic extortion from Energoatom contractors. The suspects used codenames throughout the 15-month investigation.

According to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak, the recordings feature individuals identified by the following nicknames, Novynarnia reported:

• "Carlson" – Tymur Mindich, businessman and co-owner of Kvartal 95 studio, associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• "Professor" – Herman Halushchenko, Justice Minister and former Energy Minister
• "Tenor" – Dmytro Basov, executive director for physical protection and security at Energoatom
• "Rocket" – Ihor Myroniuk, former advisor to Halushchenko during his tenure as Energy Minister

While NABU has not officially confirmed all identities, Hromadske reported that law enforcement confirmed Myroniuk as a former energy minister advisor and Basov as Energoatom's executive director for physical protection.

The recordings reveal how contractors faced what investigators call the "Shlagbaum" (boom barrier) system: pay the percentage or watch payments freeze and supplier status vanish. One company allegedly received a 435 million UAH ($10.5 million) contract in 2025 after agreeing to the higher 15% rate, NV confirmed.

The tapes also capture suspects' awareness of investigative risks. In a June 2025 exchange, "Carlson" expressed concern: "I don't want to end up being served with suspicion," Ukrainska Pravda noted. A month later, "Tenor" discussed building protective structures with "Rocket," mentioning colossal figures and asking whether to continue. "Rocket" replied: "I'd wait. But, f***, honestly, it's a shame to waste the money," Hromadske transcribed.

Money laundering through Derkach family office

NABU investigators uncovered a dedicated money-laundering office in central Kyiv belonging to the family of Andriy Derkach, a former Ukrainian MP now serving as a Russian senator, that processed approximately $100 million.

The scheme operated like a bank—with its own "cash discipline," accounting, currency operations, and geography stretching from Kyiv to Atlanta, Georgia, and Moscow, Ekonomichna Pravda noted. "Through this office, strict accounting of received funds was carried out, a "black ledger" was maintained, and money laundering was organized through a network of non-resident companies," the bureau stated.

In intercepted conversations, "Rocket" and "Tenor" discussed transferring tens of thousands of dollars while inventing new transfer routes. The operational part of the "laundry" was headed by someone nicknamed "Sugarman"—presumably one of the Tsukerman brothers, Mykhailo or Oleksandr, Ekonomichna Pravda noted.

Investigators discovered the scheme used cryptocurrency for money laundering and collected cash at at least 30 different locations across Kyiv to avoid financial monitoring detection, Suspilne reported. A significant part of the transactions, including cash disbursements, took place outside Ukraine.

During searches, NABU officers found an item labeled "Federal Protective Service of the Russian Federation" at the office of one scheme co-organizer, which the bureau called an "interesting artifact," NV highlighted.

Opposition escalates pressure with dismissal motions

Draft resolutions have been registered in the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, Ukrinform documented. The documents are listed under registration numbers 14200 and 14201 on the parliament's website. The initiatives were submitted by MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

Neither resolution has been added to the parliamentary agenda. Both motions are registered but not scheduled for consideration, and no date has been confirmed for votes on either the ministerial dismissals or a broader Cabinet resignation procedure.

Hrynchuk responded to the dismissal motion during a briefing: "I will not react to this because I do not understand the claims," UNN quoted. She emphasized continuing her duties: "I am doing my job."

Halushchenko has not publicly addressed the searches or dismissal motion. The Justice Ministry did not issue statements responding to the allegations.

European Solidarity party escalated the political response by initiating a procedure to dismiss the entire Cabinet of Ministers. "We are beginning the procedure for the resignation of the government—unprofessional and corrupt. Our goal is state governance, the unity of society, and the trust of partners. We call on all colleagues in parliament who are aware of the threats to the state to sign the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers for the sake of forming a government of national salvation," the party stated on 10 November, Interfax Ukraine reported.

The party statement emphasized the wartime context: "When millions of Ukrainians were left without electricity during shelling, when the best were dying every day at the front, another 'battery' was working in the rear—the one that charged the pockets of the chosen ones. One hundred million dollars that could have gone to protect the energy infrastructure turned up in Energoatom's schemes," Interfax Ukraine quoted.

Zelenskyy's broad condemnation avoids names

President Zelenskyy addressed the investigation in his evening address on 10 November, hours after the raids. "Any effective action against corruption is very much needed. The inevitability of punishment is essential," he stated, Ukrainska Pravda reported. "Energoatom currently provides Ukraine with the largest share of power generation. Integrity within the company is a priority."

The president neither mentioned Mindich nor addressed the searches at Halushchenko's residence. "The energy sector and every branch, everyone who has constructed corrupt schemes, must face a clear procedural response. There must be convictions," Zelenskyy continued. "And government officials must work together with NABU and law enforcement bodies—and do it in a way that delivers real results."

The statement marks a careful position for Zelenskyy, whose administration faced July protests after attempting to subordinate NABU to the Prosecutor General. Parliament reversed that law after mass demonstrations, restoring the bureau's independence.

Mindich's flight hours before searches

Mindich crossed Ukraine's border at 02:09 on 10 November—hours before NABU detectives arrived at his residence, LIGA.net confirmed citing law enforcement sources. Zhelezniak stated Mindich "will be hiding in Israel and Austria." The timing raised immediate questions about information leaks, prompting SAPO head Oleksandr Klymenko to create a commission investigating the possible data breach, UNN reported.

Separately, the Security Service of Ukraine opened criminal proceedings on 6 November under Article 111-2 (aiding an aggressor state) based on allegations that Mindich maintained business operations in Russia during the full-scale invasion, specifically diamond extraction and sales, Interfax Ukraine detailed. The FBI is investigating Mindich for possible money laundering connected to the Odesa Port Plant, NV noted.

Operational implications for wartime energy security

The alleged corruption occurred while Russia conducted systematic strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Energoatom, which generates over half of Ukraine's electricity after the occupation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, manages procurement for nuclear safety and protective construction.

Diverting funds from nuclear safety projects creates vulnerabilities that could compromise defense readiness. The investigation reveals a pattern where contracts meant to protect critical infrastructure instead enriched middlemen operating outside official authority—turning wartime security needs into profit opportunities.

With Ukraine requesting additional Western financial support for energy infrastructure protection, according to the European Commission website, the investigation tests whether Kyiv can demonstrate effective governance over reconstruction investments. The scheme's exposure comes as the EU has already warned that failures in anti-corruption enforcement could jeopardize €50 billion in assistance, Euromaidan Press reported.