Ukraine’s two ministers resigned on Wednesday, shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to step down over their alleged roles in a major corruption scandal within the country’s energy sector.
Investigators accuse a close Zelenskyy ally, Timur Mindich, of orchestrating a $100 million kickback scheme involving Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear operator and a key electricity provider. The scandal has sparked public outrage as the country faces widespread power outages caused by Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy said both Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko should resign, calling their continued presence in office “unacceptable.” He accused Galushchenko of personally benefiting from the scheme, though neither minister has been formally charged. Grynchuk has not been publicly accused of profiting from the alleged corruption.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that both ministers submitted their resignation letters soon after Zelenskyy’s statement. Their departures must still be approved by Ukraine’s parliament.
The scandal has deepened frustration among Ukrainians enduring regular blackouts. “They’re destroying us, our reputation, and our future,” said Davyd, a 24-year-old content creator in Kyiv. “People raise money for the army while they hide millions in basements.”
Zelenskyy denounced those involved as “internal enemies,” saying it was “absolutely unacceptable” for corruption to persist in the energy sector while citizens suffer through winter power shortages.
Russia’s relentless drone and missile strikes have crippled Ukraine’s energy grid, leaving millions vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The scandal threatens to undermine Kyiv’s credibility as it seeks to meet the European Union’s anti-corruption standards for membership.
