National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine detains former energy minister while trying to leave country

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said on Sunday that former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko was detained while trying to leave the country.

In a statement on Telegram, NABU said investigative actions are ongoing, promising to share further details later.

"Today, while crossing the state border, NABU detectives detained the former Minister of Energy as part of the 'Midas' case. Priority investigative actions are ongoing, carried out in accordance with legal requirements and court authorization. Details to follow," the anti-corruption agency said.

The "Midas case" (Operation Midas) refers to a high-profile corruption investigation in Ukraine, unveiled in November 2025, exposing a $100 million fraud scheme in the energy sector.

Halushchenko was appointed energy minister in April 2021, and became justice minister in July 2025.

In November 2025, the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, dismissed him amid the corruption scandal, and is said to have been barred from leaving the country.

According to Ukrainian media, he was trying to leave Ukraine by train.