Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is confronting what sources describe as the most significant crisis of his tenure as investigations have implicated members of his closest associates in an alleged money-laundering operation.
The probe centers on accusations that approximately $100 million was diverted from Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A former government official, speaking to Fox News on condition of anonymity, suggested the scandal runs deeper than publicly acknowledged.
The investigation, conducted by Ukrainian authorities, focuses on alleged kickbacks from projects designed to protect energy facilities during wartime operations.
The sweeping probe, designated “Operation Midas” by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, spanned more than 15 months before agencies announced their findings this week.
The investigation reportedly uncovered schemes that may have been operating since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Among those named in the investigation is businessman Tymur Mindich, who previously co-owned the entertainment company Kvartal 95 with Zelenskyy.
Investigators identified Mindich as an alleged central figure in the network under scrutiny.
Authorities discovered substantial amounts of cash and a gold-plated toilet during searches of Mindich’s residence.
The former official told Fox News that Mindich and Zelenskyy had maintained a long professional relationship through their shared entertainment ventures.
“They were introduced many years ago and were running the business of 95 Kvartal, which includes film production and many other entertainment genres,” the former official stated.
The source further claimed that Mindich’s apartment was located in the same building as Zelenskyy’s residence.
The former official alleged that in 2021, Zelenskyy marked his birthday at Mindich’s apartment, indicating the close nature of their relationship.
The investigation has also drawn attention to other figures in Zelenskyy’s orbit.
Oleksiy Chernyshov, identified as a former deputy prime minister, is another individual reportedly under investigation.
The former official alleged that Chernyshov held government positions since 2019 and has faced accusations related to abuse of office.
“Chernyshov started building big, three or four huge houses in their most luxury place in Kyiv,” the former official stated.
The allegations suggest that some officials may have enriched themselves while the nation remains locked in conflict.
The Energoatom probe specifically targeted Ukraine’s state nuclear power company and its energy contracts.
The former official expressed concerns about the impact of the corruption allegations on Ukrainian morale.
“Ukrainians don’t have any motivation to fight now because of enormous human rights violations and also because of this corruption now exposed,” they told Fox.
“People inside the country are already seeing this corruption and this is just part of the corrupt swamp. Zelenskyy is part of the problem,” the former official claimed.
They alleged that some observers believe Zelenskyy had knowledge of the schemes and may have authorized them.
“There was also suspicion that money ended up in accounts abroad that benefited Zelenskyy and his inner circle,” the source stated.
The former official also claimed that multiple individuals attempted to halt the alleged operations over the past two years.
