Ukraine Bribery scandal at Ukrainian nuclear company
In Ukraine, anti-corruption authorities have uncovered a bribery scandal involving millions of euros at the state-owned nuclear power plant operator Energoatom. "The main activity of the criminal organization was to systematically obtain unlawful benefits from Energoatom contractors in the amount of 10 to 15 percent of the contract value," the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) announced on Telegram. This mainly involved protective structures for energy facilities against Russian missile and drone attacks.
10.11.2025, 18:49
SDA
In total, money amounting to the equivalent of around 86 million euros was "laundered" with the involvement of companies based abroad. The state-owned company Energoatom confirmed the searches in a statement and assured that it would cooperate with the authorities. It did not provide any further details on the scope of the raids or any arrests.
The former head of Energoatom, Petro Kotin, had already been investigated in January for the purchase of a villa near Kiev. According to media reports, he left the country after his dismissal.
President Selensky's entourage involved?
According to the anti-corruption campaigners, the investigation lasted a total of 15 months and around 1,000 hours of conversations were recorded. NABU and SAP did not name names. According to media reports, however, one of the suspects is said to be the main shareholder of the film studio "Kwartal 95" founded by President Volodymyr Selenskyj. Selensky was an actor and comedian before his election in 2019. His confidant is also reported to have left the country. SAP launched an internal investigation due to a possible tip-off to the suspect from employees of the authorities.
In July, Selenskyj had attempted to gain control over the independently investigating anti-corruption authorities via a hastily passed law. However, following street protests and an intervention by the European Union, he had to back down and restore their independence. Even then, there were suspicions that there could be a connection with the investigations into Zelenskyi's entourage.
Ukraine has been supported by billions from the West in its ongoing defensive struggle against Russia's war of aggression since February 2022. There have been repeated financial scandals in the country, which is striving to join the EU. Despite a network of authorities set up to combat corruption since the pro-Western overthrow in 2014, the Eastern European country remains one of the most corrupt states in Europe, according to experts from Transparency International.
