The NABU and the SAPO have uncovered a multi-level criminal organization that systematically received unlawful benefits from contractors of Energoatom, amounting to 10–15% of contract values. The group included current and former officials in the energy sector and a well-known businessman.

Detectives detained five members of the organization. Seven individuals have been formally charged, including: 

• a businessman who headed the criminal organization,

• a former adviser to the Minister of Energy,

• the Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security of Energoatom,  and

• four “back-office employees” responsible for laundering the illegally obtained funds.

According to several media outlets, including Ekonomichna Pravda, the organization was led by businessman Tymur Mindich, known by the alias “Karlsson.”

Motions for interim measures are currently being prepared for all the suspects. 

How the scheme operated

According to investigators, the organization systematically collected kickbacks from Energoatom’s contractors, ranging from 10% to 15% of contract sums. Contractors were forced to accept these conditions under threats of a so-called “shlagbaum” — meaning the blocking of payments for delivered goods or services, or the loss of supplier status.

The scheme involved a former deputy head of the State Property Fund, who later became adviser to the Minister of Energy, and a former law-enforcement officer who served as Energoatom’s Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security. Using their official connections within the ministry and the state company, they ensured control over staff appointments, procurement processes, and financial flows.

In practice, according to NABU, the strategic enterprise Energoatom, with an annual income exceeding UAH 200 billion, was effectively managed not by official executives but by informal “supervisors” without formal authority.

The illegally obtained funds were laundered through a separate office of the criminal organization located in central Kyiv, in premises owned by the family of former MP and current Russian Federation senator Andrii Derkach, who is himself facing another corruption case currently under review by the High Anti-Corruption Court.

This “back-office” kept shadow accounts to facilitate money laundering through a network of non-resident companies, including those registered outside Ukraine. In return, the office received a commission from the laundered sums.

According to NABU, approximately USD 100 million passed through this so-called “laundromat.”