NABU releases records in energy corruption case and reveals details of scheme including suspects
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau released audio recordings exposing a corruption scheme in the energy sector that allegedly extorted 10-15% kickbacks from suppliers to state-owned NPP operator Energoatom, with unnamed organizers enlisting figures dubbed "Rocket" and "Tenor" to control procurement and finances, NABU said in a statement.
Law enforcement officials say the criminal organization's main activity was systematically collecting bribes from Energoatom contractors amounting to 10% to 15% of contract values.
In particular, contractors were forced to pay kickbacks under a "turnstile" scheme: pay up to avoid blocking payments for services/goods delivered or losing supplier status.
NABU says the scheme's leader enlisted for its implementation:
- Rocket — the so-called "overseer" for Energoatom, former deputy head of the State Property Fund, aide to denaturalized ex-deputy Andriy Derkach, who was energy minister advisor until the Cabinet's 2025 reshuffle, i.e., advisor to German Galushchenko;
- Tenor — a former law enforcer serving as Energoatom's executive director for physical protection and security.
Anti-corruption agencies have not disclosed the organizers' names, but say the scheme involved an unnamed prominent businessman and four other people.
Using official ties in the ministry and state company, Rocket and Tenor controlled personnel decisions, procurement processes and financial flows, NABU says.
"In fact, management of the strategic enterprise with annual revenue over 200 billion hryvnias ($4.8 billion) was carried out not by official officials, but by outsiders with no formal powers, who took on the role of 'overseers,'" law enforcement said.
What can be heard on the recordings?
NABU released several recordings of conversations between Rocket and Tenor discussing kickbacks. The tapes suggest the corruption scheme may date back to the start of the full-scale war.
In one July conversation, NABU claims, the figures discussed protecting energy sites as a "regular source of profit."
Tenor spoke about building "f***ing protective" structures, mentioning "insane figures." He asked if they would do more in that area or stop at what is done, building no more protective sites.
Rocket replied: "I'd wait. But, f***, honestly, it's a shame to waste the money."
Additionally, NABU tapes feature other people with code names Carlson and Professor. In one recording, Carlson says: "I don't want to get charged."
Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak claims this refers to businessman Timur Mindich and German Galushchenko. Sources at news agency RBC-Ukraine also say they figure in the case.
Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources, reported that early on Monday, NABU officers conducted searches at businessman and Kvartal 95 co-owner Timur Mindich. Media called him an associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a Kvartal 95 co-owner and close to the President's Office.
Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said NABU also raided German Galushchenko — the justice minister who previously served as energy minister — and the Energoatom company.
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