Timur Mindich / Photo: djc.com.ua
On 3 June 2025, Ukraine was shaken by the news: The NABU detained a close relative of Timur Mindich, an ally and long-time friend of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while he was trying to flee the country. The reason for this is the organisation of a large-scale corruption scheme that siphoned off UAH 664 million from state-owned Kharkivoblenergo through tenders for the purchase of equipment in 2021. The case, solved by the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) and the NABU, exposes deep corruption in the President’s entourage, calling into question his fight against oligarchic schemes.
Who is Timur Mindich and why is it important?
Timur Mindich is not just a businessman, but a key figure in Zelenskyy’s business empire. He owns 50 per cent of Kvartal 95 LLC, with the rest owned by former presidential aide Serhiy Shefir and studio director Andriy Yakovlev. Mindich is not only a friend of the president, but also a man whose connections extend to the highest levels of government. His relative, according to Nashi Hroshi, was the main organiser of a scheme that enriched people close to the government for years at the expense of Ukrainians.
How Kharkivoblenergo was robbed
The scheme was cynical and well thought out. In 2021, when Ukraine was preparing for war, Kharkivoblenergo held three tenders for the purchase of electricity meters (for UAH 301 million and UAH 35 million) and transformers (for UAH 328 million). According to the investigation, the acting CEO of the company, in collusion with a person who controlled commercial suppliers, organised the victory of the “right” companies. The prices for the equipment were inflated with the assistance of the head of the Kharkiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a private appraiser, who artificially inflated the expected value.
NABU investigators found that the prices were overstated by UAH 132.5 million. Due to the partial fulfilment of contracts caused by the war and law enforcement actions, the actual losses amounted to UAH 12.5 million. But even this amount is a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of the scheme, which could have lasted for years.
Detention and escape: panic among corrupt officials
Mindich’s relative tried to flee Ukraine but was detained by NABU detectives. This fact only underscores the fear of inevitable punishment. Currently, eight people are suspected in the case, including the organisers and executors of the scheme. The investigation continues to unravel the corruption network that involved government agencies and private businesses.
Zelensky’s shadow: a political blow
This case is not just a corruption scandal, but a real political earthquake. Timur Mindich is one of the figures closest to Zelensky, and the accusations of his relative of embezzling hundreds of millions hit the president’s reputation. At a time when Ukraine is fighting the enemy on the frontline, corruption in the rear looks like treason. Back in 2021, Nashi Hroshi journalists wrote about the threefold overpricing of transformers, but the authorities ignored these signals. Only now, thanks to the NABU, has the case moved forward.
What to expect next?
The detention of Mindich’s relative is only the beginning. Society demands not only punishment of the perpetrators, but also disclosure of all links of the corruption chain that stretches to the highest echelons of power. Will the NABU succeed in bringing the case to an end? Will Zelenskyy stand aside as his inner circle comes under attack? These questions will determine how seriously Ukraine is prepared to fight corruption.
The Kharkivoblenergo scandal is a litmus test for anti-corruption policy. If the perpetrators go unpunished, trust in the government will be permanently undermined. Ukrainians deserve truth and justice, not new schemes that enrich those close to the president.
Source: Our Money
Author : Marianna Nyzhnia
