Kyiv, Ukraine – The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has announced formal charges of “money laundering and membership in a criminal organization” against former Energy Minister Herman Galushenko.
Arrest on escape tracks
The announcement came after a dramatic incident in which Galushenko was removed from a train last Sunday while attempting to leave the country clandestinely. Galushenko served as Minister of Energy (2021-2025) before moving to the Ministry of Justice. He was subsequently dismissed in the fall of 2025 amid ongoing corruption investigations.
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The investigation uncovered a complex criminal structure that began operating in February 2021. Its key elements were offshore funds. A fund was registered in Anguilla with the aim of attracting $100 million in fictitious investments, managed by a Seychelles national specializing in money laundering. The Galushenko family was also implicated through two companies in the Marshall Islands and a trust structure in St. Kitts and Nevis. The true beneficiaries were the minister’s ex-wife and his four children. The organization received over $112 million in cash from illegal activities in the energy sector, which was then laundered through cryptocurrencies and accounts in three Swiss banks.
Luxury spending from energy funds
According to NABU, he transferred over $7.4 million to the Galushenko family. In addition, substantial sums in euros and Swiss francs were transferred to cover his children’s educational expenses at prestigious institutions abroad. The remaining funds were deposited to provide a sustainable supplementary income for his family.
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The case extended beyond the ministry to reach President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle, with Timur Mendych described in the investigation as “Zelensky’s wallet” and the founder of the criminal group. He was reportedly hastily deported before his home was raided. The charges also included seven other members, among them Dmitry Basov (Energoatom) and Igor Mironyuk, with the name of former Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Chernyshev also appearing. The bureau also released audio recordings of individuals with aliases such as “Carlson,” “Tenor,” and “Rocket.”
Presidential reaction
For his part, President Zelensky claimed he was unaware of the activities taking place “behind his back.” These justifications coincided with the resignation of his powerful chief of staff, Andrei Yermak, in late November. This was widely seen as an attempt to contain public and international anger over the extent of corruption in the energy sector.
