A former associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been thrust into the spotlight, accused of orchestrating a $100 million embezzlement scheme.
Tymur Mindich, once a business partner of President Zelenskyy, has been identified by Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs as the alleged mastermind behind a scheme involving high-ranking officials and the nation's state nuclear power company.
Concerns had previously been raised about Mindich's increasing influence over Ukraine's lucrative industries, a power he wielded due to his connections with President Zelenskyy.
According to Fox News, Mindich is accused of manipulating loyalists who pressured contractors for Energoatom, Ukraine's state-owned nuclear power company, to pay kickbacks in exchange for bypassing bureaucratic hurdles. These kickbacks reportedly reached up to 15%.
Despite his past association with Mindich, President Zelenskyy has not been implicated in the investigation. In fact, the Ukrainian leader imposed sanctions on his former business partner following the anti-corruption revelations.
On November 11, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) declared that a group, including Mindich, "set up a major corruption scheme to control key state-owned enterprises," as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian news outlet confirmed that law enforcement conducted searches on properties linked to Mindich on November 10, but he managed to evade capture, allegedly fleeing to Israel as the investigation closed in, according to Politico.
President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of combating corruption, stating, "Any effective actions against corruption are very needed. The inevitability of punishment is necessary," during an evening address, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The NABU's extensive 15-month investigation reportedly involved 1,000 hours of wiretapping and culminated in 70 raids, according to the agency.
Activist Tetiana Shevchuk of Ukraines Anti-Corruption Action Center expressed that what was once mere speculation now has tangible evidence. "For a long time we have heard that Tymur Mindich is a shadow controller of the energy sector," she told The Associated Press. Mindich's involvement in politics is attributed to his co-ownership of Zelenskyy's production company, Kvartal 95. Shevchuk remarked that Mindich "would have never been in politics, never been in a position of power or business without his connection to Zelenskyy, and this magnitude is worse because its happening during war time, and it is related to energy infrastructure at a time when Ukrainians dont have electricity in their homes."
In addition to the current investigation, NABU is reportedly probing Mindich's dealings with Ukraine's leading drone manufacturer, Fire Point. However, the agency has yet to disclose its findings in this matter.
Fox News Digital has reached out to President Zelenskyy's office for comment, while The Associated Press contributed to this report. The unfolding events underscore the critical need for accountability and transparency, particularly in a nation grappling with the challenges of war and energy shortages.
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