Kyiv, Ukraine – A scandal involving millions of dollars in misused funds at Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company has brought Tymur Mindich into the spotlight. Before this, Mindich was a figure who worked behind the scenes, known to many but rarely talked about publicly.
Mindich’s close ties to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have raised concerns about his growing influence in key industries. The two were once business partners, and Mindich’s power seemed to grow even more after Zelenskyy became president.
Recently, anti-corruption groups in Ukraine revealed the findings of a 15-month investigation into a $100 million scheme. The investigation points to top officials and Ukraine’s state nuclear power company, accusing Mindich of being the main person behind the plot.
Mindich has reportedly left the country, meaning any legal action against him would likely happen without him being present. Two high-ranking government ministers have already resigned as a result of the scandal.
Officials, experts, and activists in Ukraine believe that Mindich’s rise is directly linked to his special relationship with President Zelenskyy and those close to him.
Tetiana Shevchuk, an activist with Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Action Center, stated, “What we heard as rumors now has some proof. We have long heard that Tymur Mindich is secretly controlling the energy sector.”
Before Zelenskyy became president, Mindich was just one of many wealthy people in Ukraine’s entertainment business.
Mindich was a co-owner of Kvartal 95, Zelenskyy’s production company. This comedy group helped Zelenskyy become famous as a comedian before he entered politics. After being elected, Zelenskyy gave his share in the company to his partners.
Even though Mindich expanded his business interests after Zelenskyy’s election, he stayed connected to the entertainment world. He produced the comedy show “Stadium Family” on YouTube until the corruption investigation became public. Because of the scandal, the show’s owners have since shut it down.
He is also related to Leonid Mindich, who was arrested in June while allegedly trying to leave the country. Leonid Mindich is accused of taking $16 million from an electric power company.
President Zelenskyy and Tymur Mindich have a well-known friendship. Zelenskyy used Mindich’s armored car during his presidential campaign in 2019. In 2021, Zelenskyy celebrated his birthday at Mindich’s apartment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They even own apartments in the same building.
After Zelenskyy’s victory in 2019, Mindich’s political connections became stronger.
He was a close business partner of Ihor Kolomoysky, a Ukrainian businessman who supported Zelenskyy’s presidential campaign. However, Zelenskyy later cut ties with Kolomoysky, who was arrested in 2023 on charges of fraud and money laundering.
Businesses that were once linked to Kolomoysky began to claim that Mindich was now in charge. According to Shevchuk, the anti-corruption activist, “Over three years, he became a well-known businessman with interests in many businesses, though not necessarily an oligarch.”
These businesses include farming operations and the nationalized SENSE bank. However, Mindich’s name has appeared most often in connection with state energy companies, according to Ukrainian officials, activists, and experts.
Ukrainian activists argue that Mindich’s close relationship with Zelenskyy made his rise possible.
Shevchuk stated that Mindich “would never have been in politics or in a position of power without his connection to Zelenskyy. This situation is even worse because it is happening during a time of war and involves energy infrastructure when Ukrainians are without electricity.”
The case against Mindich is based on many hours of recorded phone calls, which suggest he had significant influence over Herman Haluschenko, Ukraine’s energy minister from 2021 to July. Haluschenko resigned after the investigation became public.
Although Mindich is rarely mentioned as a direct beneficiary in official documents, investigators claim that wiretaps show he controlled a network of people who pressured contractors for Energoatom, the state nuclear power company. These loyalists allegedly demanded kickbacks of up to 15% to avoid bureaucratic problems and ensure smooth business operations.
Investigators claim that the illegal funds were then moved through shell companies and ended up in Mindich’s pockets and those of his associates.
These findings, gathered by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), will be important in any future court cases.
NABU is also investigating Mindich’s alleged dealings with Fire Point, a major drone manufacturer in Ukraine. Fire Point has denied any involvement.
Ukraine’s drone industry has grown rapidly, driven by wartime needs and innovation. What was once a small industry has quickly become a powerful force.
Fire Point is one of several companies that have developed advanced drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat. The NABU investigation is trying to determine if Mindich is the true owner of the company.
