Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sanctioned a close associate and former business partner after a major corruption scandal in Kyiv involving $100 million siphoned from the energy sector.
The move followed Zelensky’s earlier decision to ask two ministers to resign, signaling a distancing from allies implicated in a high-profile money-laundering scheme affecting Ukraine’s war-hit energy industry.
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Anti-graft investigators identified Timur Mindich, 46, as the alleged mastermind. Zelensky’s office also sanctioned businessman Oleksandr Tsukermann, ordering asset freezes, revoking state awards, and restricting their travel and business activities.
Both sanctioned individuals are Israeli citizens and are believed to have left Ukraine. Mindich, a former co-owner of Zelensky’s Kvartal 95 production company, is described by media as a close friend of the president.
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Germany, a key Ukrainian ally, urged stronger anti-corruption measures. Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Zelensky to “energetically advance” reforms, while Zelensky assured that Ukraine would act to maintain partners’ trust.
Despite the scandal, Zelensky visited troops on the southern front, where Russia has recently captured villages. He highlighted operational updates while Kyiv worked to secure the eastern hub of Pokrovsk amid ongoing Russian advances.