The Case Against Herman Galushchenko and the 'Midas' Investigation
In a hearing at the High Anti-Corruption Court, former Justice and Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko admitted to having lived in a seized property. The house, located at 40 Dobrovolchykh Batalioniv Street in Kyiv, spans 647 square meters. Galushchenko stated he rented it on a daily basis for $130. This admission is part of the broader 'Midas' case, which involves allegations of corruption schemes within the energy sector and has seen multiple suspects charged. This case highlights ongoing efforts to tackle high-level graft in Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
On February 17, the anti-corruption court ordered Galushchenko to be held in custody, with the option of posting bail set at 200 million Ukrainian hryvnias. This preventive measure is effective for 60 days. Should bail be posted, Galushchenko is prohibited from leaving Kyiv or its surrounding region without permission and is barred from communicating with other suspects in the 'Midas' case, including Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman.
Investigation Details and Related Events
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office initiated criminal proceedings in January 2026 against acting head of the ARMA, Yaroslava Maksymenko. Earlier, on November 25, 2025, the office noted that Zakharčenko's house might be transferred for use by the Ministry of Defense. Galushchenko claimed that from June to October 2025, he rented the house for approximately $3,000 per month. However, this rental income was not declared in the asset declaration he filed on December 18, after his dismissal from office.
The property at 40 Dobrovolchykh Batalioniv Street is owned by the Dutch 'Stichting Global Investment' foundation. Law enforcement alleges the foundation is linked to former Interior Minister under Yanukovych, Vitaliy Zakharčenko. As of early June 2025, the house was valued at 48.48 million hryvnias. The Dutch firm Stichting Administratiekantoor LVV purchased the house and sold it to Stichting Global Investment in June 2013. After February 2014, Zakharčenko left Ukraine, and the foundation's assets were frozen under EU sanctions. In 2016, Kyiv's Pechersk District Court seized the company's assets in Ukraine.
On February 15, 2026, NABU detectives detained Herman Galushchenko as he attempted to leave Ukraine. He has been charged with money laundering and participation in a criminal organization. On November 10, 2025, NABU announced suspicions against seven individuals in the 'Midas' case. Those named include Timur Mindich, a businessman and co-founder of the 'Kvartal-95' studio, Ihor Myroniuk, a former advisor to the energy minister, and Dmytro Basov, the security executive director of 'Energoatom'. In NABU wiretaps, Galushchenko was referred to by the codenames 'Professor' and 'Sigizmund'.
Galushchenko remarked: 'This house has been rented out for the last ten years. Before that, I lived in a different house. However, after the attempt on my life in 2022, I was assigned security. I had to change my place of residence.'
The situation surrounding Herman Galushchenko and the 'Midas' case underscores the significant challenges Ukraine faces in combating corruption within its energy sector. Galushchenko's admission of residing in a seized property connected to a former official with a dubious reputation raises serious questions about transparency within government structures. The 'Midas' investigation could have a substantial impact on future anti-corruption efforts in the country, as it exposes systemic issues requiring urgent resolution.