Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to overhaul state-owned energy companies, following a major corruption scandal that has shaken the country's energy sector. Approximately $100 million (£76m) has been misappropriated amidst claims of extensive embezzlement, leading to public outrage, especially given the severe energy crises fueled by ongoing Russian military attacks.
In a post on X, Zelensky announced a complete audit of the financial activities of these companies and stated that management renewals would occur in the wake of the scandal. The state nuclear company, Energoatom, is set to have a new supervisory board appointed within a week.
Alarmingly, many individuals implicated in the scandal have close ties to Zelensky himself. This revelation comes as the president faces increased scrutiny regarding his anti-corruption pledges.
As the scandal unfolds, it has been reported that several members of the Ukrainian government are under investigation, with two ministers already resigning due to their involvement. The anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine have been actively collaborating on the case, which has seen the misconduct of individuals linked to Zelensky come to light. Notably, Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov were mentioned in the investigations.
Zelensky has publicly affirmed his commitment to cooperating with ongoing anti-corruption efforts, urging government officials to maintain effective communication with law enforcement agencies. However, the recent scandal raises doubts about his earlier attempts to limit the independence of anti-corruption institutions, which drew criticism from various international entities, including G7 ambassadors and European nations.
The outcry from this corruption scheme also comes as Ukraine braces for another winter with ongoing Russian assaults on its energy infrastructure, prompting urgent reforms in how its energy sector is managed and structured in the future.
