Ankara: Ukraine said Monday that its anti-corruption agencies launched a "large-scale operation" into the country's energy sector to uncover graft involving a "high-level criminal organization." The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) stated that, along with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), it conducted a significant operation to expose alleged corruption, involving 15 months of work and 1,000 hours of audio recordings.
According to Anadolu Agency, NABU highlighted that the activities of a "high-level criminal organization" have been documented, with the scheme organized to influence strategic state-sector enterprises, particularly the national nuclear energy provider Energoatom. The investigation revealed that those involved in the scheme sought to obtain illegal benefits amounting to 10% to 15% of a state contract value. Conditions were allegedly imposed on Energoatom's counterparties for paying kickbacks to avoid blocking payments for services or losing supplier status.
The statement claimed that the head of the criminal organization included an energy ministry adviser and a former law enforcement officer who led Energoatom's security. However, no names were provided. NABU explained that using official connections in the energy ministry and the state-owned company, they ensured control over personnel decisions, procurement processes, and financial flows, with about $100 million having passed through the scheme.
NABU's chief detective, Oleksandr Abakumov, reported that 70 searches were conducted as part of the investigation. Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak from the Holos political party noted on Telegram that the home of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who served as energy minister from April 2021 to July this year, was among those searched by NABU. Zheleznyak later submitted two draft bills to the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk from office.
Energoatom, which operates Ukraine's four nuclear power plants, stated that NABU and SAPO were conducting an investigation at its office. The company expressed full cooperation with the investigative bodies, providing all requested materials and contributing to an objective and transparent investigation.
SAPO announced that its head, Oleksandr Klymenko, established a commission to conduct an internal investigation into a "possible leak of pre-trial investigation data of NABU and SAPO." The investigation follows President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's reinstatement of the independence of the two major anti-corruption agencies, after previously bringing them under the oversight of the prosecutor general.
Zelenskyy emphasized that effective action against corruption is essential, particularly as Ukraine aims to advance its application to join the European Union. He stated the importance of punishment for those involved in corrupt schemes and urged government officials to work with NABU and law enforcement to deliver real results.
Energy Minister Hrynchuk later expressed her commitment to ensuring a transparent investigation, stating "zero tolerance for corruption" and hoping the investigation's transparency would reassure international partners and not affect international assistance.