Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky faces growing political pressure following the resignation of his energy and justice ministers after an investigation into corruption in the country’s energy sector. 

Zelensky signed a decree to sanction his associate Timur Mindich and businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman, who are implicated in a $100 million corruption scandal centered on the state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom (Enerhoatom). 

It follows an investigation by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) which has charged eight people with bribery, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment.  

Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank in London told Newsweek on Thursday the scandal shows that Zelensky’s electoral pledge to eliminate corruption and change the system has failed but he was likely to survive politically. 

Ukrainian analyst Viktor Kovalenko, told Newsweek he did not think this scandal will sink Zelensky or lead to his resignation, impeachment, or removal from the post but it was “upsetting news for Ukrainian society and Western allies.” 

Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian president’s office for comment. 

The scandal comes as Russia escalates its strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities that threaten to plunge the nation into another tough wartime winter.

The probe also highlights the problem of corruption in Ukraine despite work by the anti-corruption agencies NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). 

It will provoke concern among Kyiv’s European partners that have supported its war efforts and add to pressure on Zelensky who is closely affiliated with the officials who face accusations of profiteering as the country reels from Russian aggression. 

On Wednesday, Zelensky called for the removal of energy minister Svitlana Grynchuk and justice minister Herman Halushchenko, who have denied wrongdoing. 

Zelensky’s order came two days after anti-corruption bodies accused several people of involvement in an energy sector embezzlement scheme worth about $100m, including at Energoatom. 

NABU has charged eight people with bribery, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment and published tapes purportedly showing the group discuss alleged kickbacks and bribes linked to business with Energoatom. 

Among those facing charges are former deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and Timur Mindich, a co-owner of Zelensky’s former TV studio Kvartal95, both of whom have fled the country, according to the Kyiv Independent which said the five others have been detained.  

Halushchenko said he would defend himself and Grynchuk posted on social media “there were no violations of the law.” 

Newsweek was not aware of denials or comments from others charged, at time of publication.

Additional figures implicated in the scandal include former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and Rustem Umerov, the former defense minister.

Lutsevych, from Chatham House, told Newsweek that the scandal involving those close to Zelensky reflected badly on the Ukrainian president.  

She said that the people from his team at the top levels of government “simply took over the old system” which explains why the independent boards of Energoatom and gas firm Naftogaz were not strengthened “and these companies remained cash cows” in wartime.  

Zelensky has imposed sanctions of three years on Mindich and Tsukerman, in measures which had been earlier approved by the National Security and Defense Council.

But Lutsevych said imposing sanctions was not enough and Zelensky has to take decisive measures to ensure that the investigation is swift, that the corruption schemes will not be repeated, and that the state is compensated for the losses.

“He will survive for the time of war but his inaction would diminish the significant political dividends he has acquired by leading the courageous resistance of Ukraine against Russia,” she added.

“Ukrainians have no confidence that Zelensky is really committed to ensure that public funding is directed for the war effort and this will infuriate many,” she added.

Kovalenko, who produced the Ukraine Decoded substack, told Newsweek that the scandal is a much closer call than any previous scandal involving top-level officials during Zelensky’s tenure.  

He said it would be very hard for Zelensky to explain to the public and Western allies that he had no idea what was going on in such a close circle.

As more investigative audio recordings featuring Zelensky keep emerging, it would also be very difficult for the president to deny that he is not involved in corruption or its cover-up, he added. 

Kovalenko did not expected the scandal to lead to Zelensky’s resignation but it is likely to plunge his domestic popularity and presidential ratings, making it easier for his political competitors to criticize him.

The scandal has also given ammunition to critics of aid for Ukraine to fight Russia. Former U.S. congressman Ron Paul posted on X about how “pumping a hundred billion into Ukraine with no oversight would not end well.”  

But others said that the investigation showed that even being during wartime, Ukraine was a democracy with an independent anti-corruption judiciary.  

Olena Tregub, from Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Commission, posted on X that the investigation became possible only because Ukrainian citizens mobilized this summer to defend the independence of the anti-corruption institutions. 

What People Are Saying 

Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum, Chatham House, told Newsweek Zelensky: “has to take some decisive measures to ensure that the investigation is swift, that the corruption schemes will not be repeated, that the state is compensated for the losses.”  

Ukrainian analyst Viktor Kovalenko, Ukraine Decoded: “I don’t think this scandal will sink Zelensky or lead to his resignation, impeachment, or removal from the post in any other form.  

He added: “It is indeed upsetting news for Ukrainian society and Western allies, as the hero President who defends Ukraine and Europe might have kept his eyes closed, allowing friends to enrich themselves.” 

Olena Tregub, from Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Commission posted on X: “The fact that Ukraine is now in the middle of a major corruption scandal…should be understood not as a sign of weakness, but as evidence that Ukraine has remained a functioning democracy.” 

What Happens Next 

There will be anticipation over whether the legal process will unveil more claims of corruption and whether the accused who have reportedly left Ukraine, Chernyshov and Timur Mindich, will face arrest.

(C) 2025 Newsweek