NABU uncovers two Kyiv corruption schemes totalling $8.9 million

August 21, 2026 at 11:47 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

NABU and Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office exposed two linked criminal schemes involving current and former lawmakers, presidential office staff, and bank executives. The schemes laundered 150 million hryvnia ($3.36 million) and seized assets worth 248 million hryvnia ($5.54 million). President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug 19 dismissed a deputy head of his office named in the investigation.

Key Facts

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced two special operations, “Forest Gump” and “Themis,” exposing a criminal group of current and former MPs, presidential office staff, justice ministry officials, and bank executives.
The first episode involved the laundering of 150 million hryvnia ($3.36 million) through fictitious accounts to pay bail for former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko in the Midas case.
The second episode recorded a raider seizure of enterprises and real estate worth 248 million hryvnia ($5.54 million) through state registry interference, forged court acts, and planned kidnapping.
On Aug 19, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree dismissing a deputy head of his office who appeared in the NABU investigation.
Businessman Timur Mindich left Ukraine for Israel before being served a suspicion notice, while court proceedings continue against oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky and former Motor Sich head Vyacheslav Bohuslaev.

The Operations

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced the results of two linked large-scale operations called “Forest Gump” and “Themis.” Law enforcement exposed a criminal community that included current and former members of parliament, senior Presidential Office staff, Justice Ministry officials, and heads of commercial banks. The new cases follow earlier scandals over inflated equipment and weapons procurement in the Ministry of Defence and abuses in the energy sector.

First Episode: The Laundering

The first episode concerned the illegal withdrawal and laundering of 150 million hryvnia ($3.36 million). The funds were laundered through fictitious accounts. The money was used to pay bail for former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko in the Midas case.

The Themis Episode and Fallout

In the second episode, law enforcement recorded a raider seizure of enterprises and real estate worth 248 million hryvnia ($5.54 million) through interference in state registries, forged court acts, and planned kidnapping. On Aug 19, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree dismissing a deputy head of his office who appeared in the NABU investigation. Businessman Timur Mindich left for Israel before being served a suspicion notice, while court proceedings continue against oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky and former Motor Sich head Vyacheslav Bohuslaev. International financial institutions, including the IMF, the World Bank, and the EU, demand full independence of audit bodies.