Ukrainian Energy Minister Arrested While Attempting to Flee the Country

Darwin, 16 February:

Former Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko has been arrested by officials of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) while attempting to flee the country amid corruption allegations. NABU confirmed the information in a statement yesterday.

The statement said that Galushchenko — one of the key suspects in the so-called “Midas” corruption case and a former energy minister — was detained while secretly trying to leave the country. He is currently in custody. An investigation has been launched against him in accordance with the law and court directives. Further details will be provided later.

Galushchenko was considered a close ally of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In September 2025, allegations surfaced that he had illegally earned $100 million and laundered the money abroad.

He is accused of using his influence in exchange for money to facilitate investment opportunities in Ukraine’s energy sector for Ukrainian businessman Timur Mindich. He also allegedly took bribes of 10 to 15 percent from contractors in return for contracts involving Ukraine’s national power generation company and Energoatom, the state enterprise that operates all of the country’s nuclear power plants.

Following the allegations, he was forced to resign last November. He was arrested yesterday while attempting to leave the country.

In 2025, several Ukrainian officials, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, faced corruption allegations. German Galushchenko is among them.

Corruption remains a major issue in Ukraine’s public administration. Largely for this reason, Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union remains pending.

Source: Al Jazeera