The Case Against Herman Galushchenko
Former Minister of Energy and Justice Herman Galushchenko is suspected of involvement in a criminal organization and money laundering. The case, which has generated significant public attention, centers on financial flows linked to the suspect and his family. During a court hearing on February 17, prosecutors presented details of Galushchenko's and his relatives' financial activities.
Herman Galushchenko served as Minister of Energy and Justice from 2020 to 2025. On February 15, 2026, detectives from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) detained him as he attempted to leave the country. He has been formally charged with money laundering and participation in a criminal enterprise. An anti-corruption court ordered him held in custody, with the option of posting bail set at 200 million Ukrainian hryvnias, a measure valid for 60 days.
Financial Flows and Evidence
The case against Galushchenko is closely connected to 'Operation Midas,' which was first revealed on November 10, 2025, when NABU announced suspicions against seven individuals. The financial flows in question were directed to the criminal organization's office between December 2020 and June 2025, totaling $112.5 million. Of this amount, $9 million was accumulated by Galushchenko as 'salary.'
Evidence includes details of a fund established in Anguilla in February 2021, intended to attract roughly $100 million in 'investments.' Management of this 'investment fund' was entrusted to Ivor Omson, a citizen of Seychelles and St. Kitts and Nevis. The beneficial owners of companies registered in the Marshall Islands were Galushchenko's ex-wife, Olga Bogdanova, and his four children. Over $7.4 million was transferred to the fund's accounts, which were controlled by Galushchenko's family.
According to the provided data, the family received over 1.3 million Swiss francs and 2.4 million euros in cash and into Swiss accounts. Part of these funds was used to pay for the children's tuition at prestigious Swiss schools. Non-cash transfers to the Galushchenko family in Switzerland took place from July 4, 2022, to March 4, 2025, with the total exceeding 131 million hryvnias.
As part of his pre-trial restrictions, Galushchenko is prohibited from leaving Kyiv and its region without permission and from communicating with other suspects in the 'Midas' case, specifically Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman. On wiretaps, figures in the case referred to Galushchenko as 'The Professor' and 'Sigismund,' adding a layer of intrigue to this high-profile investigation.
The case against Herman Galushchenko marks a significant event in Ukraine's ongoing anti-corruption efforts, particularly given his former high-ranking government position.
The NABU investigation could uncover new details about high-level financial abuses, potentially impacting public trust in state institutions. This case is being closely watched as part of Ukraine's broader struggle against systemic corruption, which remains a key concern for international partners. Its outcome may have considerable implications for the country's political landscape.