Zelensky to impose sanctions against close associate following large-scale corruption probe, source says

Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to impose sanctions against Oleksandr Tsukerman and his close associate Timur Mindich, implicated in a large-scale corruption scandal, a source in the President's Office told the Kyiv Independent.

On Nov. 11, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) charged eight people with bribery, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment. It also published tapes where the group, using code names and encrypted language, discussed alleged kickbacks and bribes for doing with business with the state nuclear power company Energoatom.

The main organizer of the alleged corruption scheme is Mindich, according to the bureau. He is the co-owner of the president's Kvartal 95 production company.

According to the investigation, businessman Tsukerman, led the back office used for money laundering. The back office laundered around $100 million, according to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

According to the sources of Ukrainska Pravda's news outlet, Tsukerman is also under investigation in the U.S. in a money laundering case.

Mindich and Tsukerman were tipped off and left the country prior to being charged. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) began an internal investigation following the leak.

Several other heavyweights were also implicated, according to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

Those implicated include former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who served as energy minister earlier this year, and Rustem Umerov, former defense minister and current secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

On Nov. 12, Zelensky urged Halushchenko and Hrynchuk to resign.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said earlier on Nov. 12 that Halushchenko had been suspended.

"I believe that the justice minister and the energy minister cannot remain in their positions," Zelensky said. "This is, among other things, a matter of trust. If there are accusations, they must be addressed."

Zelensky added that he had asked Svyrydenko to "ensure that these ministers submit resignation letters" and asked the Ukrainian parliament to support their resignations.