Ukraine's former energy minister, Mykhailo Galushchenko, has been arrested while attempting to leave the country. This comes as a shock to many, especially considering his close ties to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The scandal has sparked intense pressure from the US to hold elections, which have been suspended since the start of the war in 2022. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) has launched a massive anti-corruption probe, dubbed Operation Midas, which has led to the detention of Galushchenko and several others. The probe has revealed a scheme to embezzle money in Ukraine's energy sector, including at the national nuclear operator Energoatom. Galushchenko is accused of systematically collecting kickbacks from Energoatom contractors. The anti-corruption bodies have also published photographs of bags full of cash, which were laundered and transferred outside Ukraine, including to Russia. The scandal has caused particular outrage domestically, as it has broken out at a time when Russia is stepping up attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of a bitterly cold winter. The former Soviet Union member has long been plagued by issues of corruption, which have continued despite Nabu and Sap operating for a decade. Cracking down on corruption is seen as a key requirement for Ukraine joining the EU.
