Ukraine’s Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko submitted his resignation to the Verkhovna Rada on Monday, just hours after anti-corruption agents raided his home in Kiev as part of a sweeping investigation into alleged kickbacks and energy sector corruption. The move marks the latest high-profile resignation in a growing anti-corruption campaign that has increasingly reached figures close to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak revealed the resignation letter publicly and filed a motion requesting Halushchenko’s dismissal. A separate motion was also submitted calling for the removal of Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, citing her suspected involvement in the same scheme. Investigators allege that during Halushchenko’s previous tenure as Energy Minister, he embezzled roughly $100 million in kickbacks from contracts signed by Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy firm.
Adding to the scandal, Ukrainian authorities confirmed that 46-year-old businessman Timur Mindich—long regarded as one of Zelensky’s closest associates—fled the country hours before raids were conducted at his home and properties. Mindich, a co-founder of Zelensky’s former production company Kvartal 95, is accused of exerting control over appointments and operations within the energy sector, allegedly using his influence to profit from state contracts.
According to reports, Mindich may have fled to Israel. His brothers, Mykhailo and Oleksandr Zukerman, reportedly attempted to escape as well, though at least one was arrested before leaving the country. Ukrainian media outlets have speculated that Mindich was tipped off in advance by someone within the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), raising further questions about leaks and internal interference.
Mindich—sometimes referred to in Ukrainian circles as “Zelensky’s wallet”—has become a lightning rod for criticism amid accusations that the president’s inner circle has benefited from government contracts. His sudden flight has fueled speculation that an emerging coalition within Ukraine’s political elite may be preparing to challenge Zelensky’s leadership by targeting those closest to him under the banner of anti-corruption reform.