SBU investigates Mindich for treason
Tymur Mindich (Photo: Nashi Hroshi)
Ukraine’s SBU security service is investigating businessman Tymur Mindich and his associates in a criminal case on treason charges, the agency said in response to a parliamentary inquiry from independent MP Oleksii Honcharenko.
Honcharenko cited the SBU’s response in a Facebook post on Dec. 19. The SBU said that after the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) published Mindich-related findings from its corruption investigation focused on state nuclear operator Energoatom, it sent a formal request to NABU to ensure proper cooperation between the agencies. It also handed over materials to NABU relating to a related sabotage investigation.
Law enforcement is probing the possible supply of substandard materials and equipment to nuclear power facilities. The probe covers 96 direct procurements by Energoatom from 2022 to 2024 made outside public procurement procedures.
Honcharenko said he asked the SBU to check whether Mindich had access to state secrets, ties to Russian intelligence services, or undue influence over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
On Nov. 10, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine searched Mindich’s property. NV sources reported that he had legally left Ukraine just hours earlier as the father of three underage children.
According to investigators, Mindich headed a “high-level criminal organization” that orchestrated a sweeping corruption scheme involving state nuclear operator Energoatom, extorting 10–15% kickbacks from the company’s contractors. He appears in NABU’s published wiretaps under the alias “Karlson.”
Mindich is a co-owner of the Kvartal 95 production company and is believed to be part of Zelenskyy’s inner circle.
On Dec. 1, a Ukrainian court ordered Mindich to be taken into custody in absentia. The businessman is believed to be currently living in Israel.
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