Trump administration stays silent as massive Ukraine corruption scandal rocks Zelenskyy's inner circle
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Zelensky associate at crux of Ukrainian corruption case said to have fled to Israel
Legal proceedings expected to take place in absentia against entertainment tycoon Timur Mindich, who is accused of masterminding $100-million embezzlement plot at state companies
By AP and TOI STAFF | November 16, 2025
KYIV, Ukraine — Before the revelation of a multi-million dollar embezzlement and kickbacks scandal involving Ukraine's state nuclear energy company brought his name to the forefront, Timur Mindich was a shadowy presence — navigating deals and moving behind the scenes with unseen influence, known to many, yet rarely spoken of.
The full extent of Mindich's influence was exposed this week when Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs released the findings of a 15-month investigation, accusing him of being the mastermind behind a $100 million embezzlement scheme involving top officials and Ukraine’s state nuclear power company.
Two top Ukrainian government ministers have resigned as a result of the probe, and criminal proceedings against Mindich are likely to be carried out in absentia.
Ukrainian officials, experts and activists contend Mindich's rise to power is closely tied to his privileged relationship with the president and Zelensky's inner circle.
"What we were hearing only as rumors now has some evidence," said activist Tetiana Shevchuk, of Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Center. "For a long time, we have heard that Timur Mindich is a shadow controller of the energy sector."
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Zelensky associate at crux of Ukrainian corruption case said to have fled to Israel
Legal proceedings expected to take place in absentia against entertainment tycoon Timur Mindich, who is accused of masterminding $100-million embezzlement plot at state companies
By AP and TOI STAFF | November 16, 2025
KYIV, Ukraine — Before the revelation of a multi-million dollar embezzlement and kickbacks scandal involving Ukraine's state nuclear energy company brought his name to the forefront, Timur Mindich was a shadowy presence — navigating deals and moving behind the scenes with unseen influence, known to many, yet rarely spoken of.
Mindich has reportedly fled to Israel amid a probe of his growing influence within the country's lucrative industries, and fears that his access was facilitated by his ties to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two were once business partners, and Mindich's influence had expanded since Zelensky was elected in 2019.
The full extent of Mindich's influence was exposed this week when Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs released the findings of a 15-month investigation, accusing him of being the mastermind behind a $100 million embezzlement scheme involving top officials and Ukraine’s state nuclear power company.
Two top Ukrainian government ministers have resigned as a result of the probe, and criminal proceedings against Mindich are likely to be carried out in absentia.
Ukrainian officials, experts and activists contend Mindich's rise to power is closely tied to his privileged relationship with the president and Zelensky's inner circle.
"What we were hearing only as rumors now has some evidence," said activist Tetiana Shevchuk, of Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Center. "For a long time, we have heard that Timur Mindich is a shadow controller of the energy sector."
The entertainment tycoon
Mindich, 46, was born in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. A 2013 Dnipro Jewish Community birthday message to his mother Stella identified her as a member of the community's board of trustees and an activist in its women's movement. According to BBC Ukrainian, his father Mykhailo died in Israel in 2006.
Please go to The Times of Israel to continue reading.
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