**Ex-Senior Official at Ukrainian Energy Giant Faces Money Laundering Charges**
A former executive at Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, Energoatom, is under investigation for allegedly laundering over $500,000, according to the country’s anti-corruption authorities. This development is part of a broader $100 million corruption scandal that has implicated several high-ranking officials, including a former member of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle.
On Friday, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) announced that they had issued a suspicion notice to the former executive, who was responsible for the physical protection and security of Energoatom facilities. The suspect, identified by local media as Dmitry Basov, is accused of laundering more than 30 million hryvnias (approximately $674,000) in illicit proceeds between 2023 and 2025.
The investigation reveals that Basov, nicknamed ‘Tenor,’ allegedly utilized cryptocurrency and registered assets in the name of a personal acquaintance to obscure his financial activities. Reports indicate that he used the laundered funds to acquire real estate in Ukraine and Bali, as well as luxury vehicles, including two Mercedes.
This case is part of the so-called Midas case, which centers on an alleged extortion ring operating within Energoatom, reportedly led by businessman Timur Mindich, who has been referred to in the media as “Zelensky’s wallet.” In November, NABU and SAPO charged Mindich and several associates with orchestrating a significant kickback scheme at Energoatom, which operates three Soviet-era nuclear power plants and other facilities. The scheme allegedly compelled contractors to pay kickbacks ranging from 10% to 15% of their state contracts, with threats of losing supplier status if they refused.
Mindich managed to flee to Israel just hours before law enforcement could apprehend him, complicating the investigation. The corruption scandal has reverberated throughout the Ukrainian government, implicating notable figures such as former Energy Minister German Galushchenko, his former deputy, and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov.
In a significant fallout from the scandal, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, resigned due to suspected connections to the scheme and is currently facing charges in a separate money laundering case. In February, Galushchenko was detained while attempting to flee to Poland and has since been charged with money laundering. He is suspected of transferring tens of millions of dollars to a shell company registered in Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory known for its tax haven status, at Mindich’s direction.
The ongoing corruption investigation highlights the challenges faced by Ukraine’s energy sector, which has become increasingly reliant on foreign aid since the escalation of the conflict in 2022. The scandal has also raised concerns about governance and accountability within the Ukrainian government, prompting protests and calls for reform.
Last summer, President Zelensky attempted to revoke the independent status of NABU and SAPO, but faced significant backlash, including protests and threats of aid suspension from Western allies. Both agencies were established under Western pressure following the 2014 coup in Kiev, aimed at combating corruption in Ukraine.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the Ukrainian government and its efforts to address corruption within its ranks. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine as it navigates a complex political landscape amid external pressures and internal strife.