Ukraine’s former energy minister stopped from fleeing country over ‘Midas’ corruption probe

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced on Sunday that it had detained the country’s former energy minister while he was attempting to leave the country, as per reports. The arrest is reportedly linked to the high-profile ‘Midas’ corruption investigation that shook Ukraine’s energy sector last year.

According to reports, NABU confirmed that its detectives stopped and detained the former minister at the state border. Although the agency did not publicly name him, the position was held last year by German Galushchenko, who stepped down in November amid a widening corruption probe.

Authorities reportedly stated that investigative procedures are currently underway and are being conducted under court authorization, with additional details expected to be released later.

Galushchenko was among several senior officials who resigned in 2025 after NABU uncovered what it described as a large-scale money-laundering operation within the energy industry. Investigators allege that the scheme, reportedly organized by an associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky, involved approximately $100 million in kickbacks.

The revelations sparked widespread public criticism, particularly as the country was dealing with recurring power outages caused by ongoing Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.