On the 12th local time, Ukrainian Prime Minister Svyrydenko announced that, following a cabinet meeting decision, Justice Minister Galushchenko (also a former energy minister) had been suspended over corruption allegations. On the same day, Ukraine’s current Energy Minister Hrychuk also submitted his resignation. The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office stated that Galushchenko was implicated in a large-scale corruption network. AFP reported that this network was allegedly manipulated by business associates closely linked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The special prosecutor claimed that these individuals exploited their "special relationship with the president" to engage in criminal activities. This corruption scandal has not only angered war-torn Ukrainians but also shocked the West. Western media extensively covered the scandal. AFP noted that months ago, Zelensky attempted to restructure Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies and weaken their independence, but withdrew the decision after strong Western opposition. Now, this scandal has become the most severe threat Zelensky faces.
"The Most Damaging Corruption Scandal" On the 12th, Western media widely reported on Ukraine’s corruption scandal. Deutsche Welle reported that Justice Minister Galushchenko had been suspended and was under investigation for corruption. The entire energy sector is now subject to an in-depth anti-corruption probe. Before Zelensky reshuffled the government in July, Galushchenko had served as energy minister for four years. The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office alleged that Galushchenko assisted in money laundering for an individual controlling a large-scale corruption network and personally benefited from it.
Reuters described this as the most damaging corruption scandal during Zelensky’s presidency, shocking the nation. Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced on the 10th that they were investigating a massive corruption network involving over $100 million. Five of the seven main suspects have already been detained. Zelensky’s close ally, businessman Myntich, is the most prominent figure—a business partner from Zelensky’s acting career before entering politics. Investigators suspect him of masterminding the scheme, though he fled the country hours before a raid.
The BBC reported that earlier this summer, Zelensky tried to strip these anti-corruption agencies of their independence, raising doubts about his commitment to fighting corruption. The new scandal has further eroded public trust in the Ukrainian president.
"How High Does the Corruption Go?" AP reported on the 13th that this scandal has quickly become Ukraine’s most severe crisis since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Facing public outrage and protests, Zelensky delivered a video address on the 12th, stressing that "corruption in the energy sector is unacceptable" and stating that "the justice and energy ministers can no longer remain in their positions."
The timing of this scandal is disastrous for Ukraine, as its military suffers setbacks in the nearly four-year-long conflict. A lawmaker from Zelensky’s party, Melezhyk, said, "Domestically, this scandal will be used to undermine national unity and stability. Internationally, it will serve as an excuse to block aid to Ukraine. In the eyes of our Western partners, this scandal is extremely damaging. While Russia destroys our power grid, forcing civilians to endure blackouts, high-ranking officials are embezzling public funds from the energy sector." The key question now is how high the corruption reaches. Western partners have poured significant funds into Ukraine’s energy sector, and this scandal has left them stunned. A German government spokesperson expressed concern, noting that the corruption case involves "an industry receiving substantial support from Germany."
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Karas, attending the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Canada, called Ukraine’s energy corruption scandal "extremely unfortunate" and urged Kyiv to "take this seriously" and "act decisively, especially now." Reuters noted that progress in anti-corruption efforts is a core requirement for Ukraine’s EU accession.
On the 12th, Russian Presidential Spokesman Peskov commented on the scandal during a press conference, stating that Western countries are "increasingly aware that funds taken from their taxpayers to aid Ukraine are being embezzled by the Kyiv regime. This is an undeniable fact. Corruption is consuming the Kyiv regime from within."
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