New Midas recordings pull Zelenskyy allies deeper into Ukraine corruption scandal

The recordings capture Mindich’s conversations with Serhiy Shefir, a former first aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; a woman identified only as Natalia; and Rustem Umerov, now secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. The journalists said all the conversations were held in Russian and recorded in Mindich’s apartment at 9a Hrushevskoho St. in the summer of 2025.

In one conversation, Mindich and Shefir discussed where to find money to post bail for former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, who is suspected of abuse of office and accepting a bribe. Ukrainska Pravda reported that Mindich said during the exchange that “Chernyshov pocketed six, or 26, apartments.” Shefir also referred to “Kisel and Sova,” whom the journalists believe may be lawmakers Yurii Kisel and Oleksandr Sova.

“First, that’s dishonest. If you’re on the team, then you … With Kisel and Sova, if something happens somewhere, it comes here. I said right away: 50% comes here,” Shefir said.

The conversation took place in the summer of 2025. In December, Kisel was notified that he was a suspect as an alleged member of a criminal group accused of bribing lawmakers for votes in the Verkhovna Rada.

Another recording captured a conversation with a woman named Natalia.

“In this conversation, Mindich mentioned ‘Max Donets’ — likely Maksym Donets, the head of the president’s personal security detail — as well as ‘Shura’ and ‘Sigizmund,’ likely businessman Oleksandr Zuckerman and former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko,” Ukrainska Pravda wrote.

They also discussed construction work, a swimming pool, tree planting and other matters, as well as the need to “put the whole territory, the entire shared base, on hold for a year.” The journalists said the conversation likely referred to the Dynasty cooperative — estates in Kozyn. Ukrainska Pravda’s sources said the houses belong to Zelenskyy, former head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, Chernyshov and Mindich.

“He’s a complete idiot. If this comes out in the case, we’re screwed,” Mindich said.

A third conversation was with Umerov, who was defense minister at the time and is now secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. The two discussed Umerov’s possible appointment as ambassador to the United States and then-Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s possible move to the Defense Ministry.

Mindich and Umerov also mentioned Fire Point and discussed its long-range weapons models — FP-1, FP-5 and FP-7. Mindich complained to Umerov that Fire Point was being underfunded.

Speaking in the Verkhovna Rada on April 28, Umerov said he had already given competent law enforcement agencies all explanations about the mention of his name in the Midas case and did not plan to report separately to parliament on the matter.

On Nov. 11, 2025, a Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office prosecutor said businessman Tymur Mindich had influenced former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and Umerov, then defense minister and now secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, throughout 2025.

Umerov said there was no basis for attempts to link his work in office to the “influence” of private individuals. He said he had met with Mindich to discuss the supply of body armor under one contract.