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Ukrainian authorities on Sunday detained former energy minister Herman Halushchenko as he allegedly attempted to flee the country by train, marking a significant escalation in a sweeping anti-corruption investigation that has engulfed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government.
“Halushchenko tried to escape Ukraine,” a source told Fox News Digital under condition of anonymity. “The border guards had a request from NABU and SAPO about him and also to get information in case he tried to cross the border.”
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) confirmed the detention in a statement Sunday without specifically naming Halushchenko. “Today, while crossing the state border, NABU detectives have detained the former Minister of Energy as part of the ‘Midas’ case,” the agency said, promising additional details would follow.
Halushchenko, who served as energy minister under Zelenskyy until his resignation in November 2025, is reportedly connected to “Operation Midas” – an investigation into an alleged $100 million embezzlement scheme within Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company. Investigators allege that funds earmarked for critical energy infrastructure, including repairs to war-damaged power grids following Russian attacks, were diverted through elaborate contract kickbacks.
The arrest represents a potential political crisis for Zelenskyy, as Halushchenko was considered by insiders to be closely aligned with the president. “Halushenko had been [an] (unofficial but direct) subordinate to Zelenskyy, so if his corruption is proven then it will be hard to convince people the president knew nothing,” the source told Fox News Digital.
The corruption scandal has already prompted significant turnover in Zelenskyy’s government. Several ministers resigned in 2025 as NABU investigators uncovered what they described as a massive money-laundering operation allegedly orchestrated by Tymur Mindich, another Zelenskyy ally.
The controversy has even affected Ukraine’s border operations. Border guard chief Serhiy Deineko was dismissed in January amid separate bribery allegations. Valerii Vavryniuk, previously the agency’s first deputy, was appointed acting head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on January 4.
“The last border head had also been accused of corruption,” the source explained. “There is a new acting head of the border service who is not loyal to Zelenskyy but more so to the institutions.”
These developments come at a particularly challenging time for Zelenskyy, who continues to navigate Ukraine’s war with Russia while facing growing internal political pressure. Sources close to Ukraine’s parliament describe a president increasingly on edge.
“Recently Zelenskyy became angry over initiatives in parliament that were not pushed through, and he shouted and threatened parliamentarians,” according to the source. “This week he appeared quite emotionally uncontrollable and almost aggressive behind the camera, so some parliamentarians have seen his stress rise many times recently – and more than pre-war levels.”
The widening corruption probe appears to be testing the limits of presidential influence over Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions, which were established with Western support following the 2014 Maidan Revolution. “With the corruption probes, Zelenskyy loses control and this infuriates him,” the source added. “This essentially means that because he tried to cross, the president has lost some control here.”
The case has drawn increased international attention at a critical moment for Ukraine. As the country continues to depend heavily on Western financial and military support in its fight against Russian aggression, corruption scandals risk undermining confidence among international partners who have made anti-corruption reforms a condition for continued aid.
Zelenskyy’s office has not yet commented on Halushchenko’s detention. The former energy minister will likely face questioning from anti-corruption prosecutors in the coming days as the investigation into the alleged Energoatom scheme continues to unfold.
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16 Comments
This is a complex issue with broader implications for Ukraine’s political and economic stability. I’m curious to see how the investigation progresses and what further steps the government takes to address systemic corruption.
Agreed. Rooting out corruption requires sustained effort and a willingness to go after powerful figures. It will be interesting to see if Zelenskyy’s administration follows through on this case.
The arrest of a Zelenskyy ally is certainly a bold move, but it’s necessary to maintain public trust in the government’s anti-corruption efforts. I’m curious to see how this investigation unfolds and what other officials may be implicated.
You raise a good point. Zelenskyy has staked a lot of his presidency on tackling corruption, so this could be a test of his commitment to that agenda.
As Ukraine continues to battle Russian aggression, it’s critical that the government maintains the trust of its citizens. This arrest sends a strong signal, but much more work remains to root out entrenched corruption.
You’re right. Zelenskyy’s anti-corruption drive is an important part of strengthening Ukraine’s resilience and unity in the face of external threats.
This is a troubling development in Ukraine’s ongoing fight against corruption. It’s critical that officials found guilty of embezzlement or other malfeasance are held accountable, regardless of their political connections.
Agreed. Ukraine needs to send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated at any level of government.
Corruption within the energy sector is especially concerning given Ukraine’s reliance on nuclear power and the need to maintain critical infrastructure. This arrest underscores the challenges Zelenskyy faces in cleaning up the system.
Well said. Ensuring the integrity of Ukraine’s energy sector is vital for both domestic stability and international cooperation. This case bears close watching.
While the details are still emerging, this arrest highlights the difficult balancing act Zelenskyy must navigate between pursuing anti-corruption efforts and maintaining political cohesion. It will be crucial to see if this investigation is handled transparently and leads to meaningful reforms.
That’s a fair assessment. Zelenskyy’s anti-corruption agenda is crucial, but he’ll need to be strategic in how he implements it to avoid political backlash or destabilization.
This is an important story to follow, given Ukraine’s reliance on foreign aid and investment. Ensuring that state funds are being used properly is crucial for maintaining international support.
Absolutely. Ukraine can’t afford to have any more corruption scandals that undermine its credibility with Western partners.
It’s concerning to see allegations of corruption within the energy sector, which is so vital to Ukraine’s economy and national security. I hope this investigation is thorough and leads to meaningful reforms.
The energy sector is a prime target for corruption, so this case is especially worrying. Transparency and accountability will be essential going forward.