Zelenskyy orders sweeping overhaul of Ukraine's energy giants amid integrity push
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine will completely overhaul key state-owned enterprises in the energy sector and fully renew their leadership alongside a financial audit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"Alongside a full audit of their financial activities, the management of these companies is to be renewed. Today, together with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Minister of Economy Oleksii Sobolev, we defined the course of action," Zelenskyy said.
He outlined the planned steps:
- Energoatom – within a week, conditions must be established to form a new supervisory board and completely reset the management board.
- Ukrhydroenergo – a competition for a new CEO will be conducted urgently, and the supervisory board will be completed.
- Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine – a competition for the position of CEO will be held, along with completing the supervisory board.
- Naftogaz of Ukraine – current supervisory board contracts expire in January 2026. A fully new board must be operational from January.
"In all other major state-owned energy companies, the state's representatives on supervisory boards are to be renewed," Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy also said that government officials were tasked with maintaining constant communication with law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.
"Any scheme uncovered in these companies must receive a swift and just response. Full transparency and integrity in the energy sector remain an absolute priority," the president concluded.
Photo: Zelenskyy meets Svyrydenko, Sobolev on energy overhaul
Photo: Zelenskyy meets Svyrydenko, Sobolev on energy overhaul
Photo: Zelenskyy meets Svyrydenko, Sobolev on energy overhaul
"Mindich tapes" and personnel changes
On November 10, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) reported uncovering a large-scale corruption scheme at the state company Energoatom.
The scheme involved money laundering and illegal enrichment orchestrated by Ukrainian officials. Losses from its activities amount to billions of hryvnias. The scheme was overseen by businessman and former Zelenskyy business partner Timur Mindich.
Amid the scandal, Zelenskyy announced personnel changes in the government affecting two ministries: energy and justice, whose leaders were implicated.
Herman Halushchenko resigned as Minister of Justice, and Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk also submitted her resignation. Zelenskyy has already removed both ministers from the National Security and Defense Council.
