Large-scale corruption in Ukraine's energy sector: NABU charges Carlson and 6 other officials
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau announced charges against seven members of a criminal group accused of a massive energy sector corruption scheme that allegedly extracted 10-15% kickbacks from suppliers to the state nuclear firm Energoatom, NABU said in a statement.
Charges were issued to:
- A businessman — the head of the criminal organization. According to investigators, he operated under the code name Carlson. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak says it is Timur Mindich;
- A former energy minister advisor nicknamed Rocket;
- Energoatom's executive director for physical protection and security — according to investigators, he used the nickname Tenor;
- Four individuals — "employees" of a back-office for money laundering.
Of the seven suspects, five have been detained.
NABU said the special operation documenting the criminal organization's activities lasted over 15 months — from summer 2024. The entire NABU staff was involved in the final phase.
Law enforcement conducted more than 70 searches in Kyiv and other regions, seizing a significant array of documents and cash.
More on the corruption scheme
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced on Monday a large-scale "Midas" operation to expose corruption in the energy sector.
According to investigators, the criminal organization's main activity was systematically collecting kickbacks from Energoatom contractors at 10% to 15% of contract values. Contractors had to pay to avoid blocking payments for services/goods delivered or losing supplier status.
Money was laundered through a separate Kyiv office belonging to the family of former lawmaker and current Russian senator Andriy Derkach, law enforcement said.
NABU claims the scheme included Rocket, who advised Energy Minister German Galushchenko; Tenor, Energoatom's executive director for physical protection and security; a prominent businessman and four other people.
On the tapes, besides Rocket and Tenor, other code names appear: Carlson, Professor and Sugarman. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak claims they refer to businessman Timur Mindich and German Galushchenko.
News outlet Ukrainian Pravda, citing sources, reported that early on Monday, NABU officers conducted searches at the residence of businessman and Kvartal 95 co-owner Timur Mindich.
MP 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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