Probe into 'Green' Tariff Corruption Scheme
Detectives from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) have uncovered a new piece of evidence in their investigation of former Deputy Head of the President's Office, Rostyslav Shurma. The document relates to a scheme that siphoned funds from a state-backed 'green' energy tariff, causing losses of 141.3 million hryvnias (approximately $3.6 million) linked to territory in Zaporizhzhia Oblast under Russian occupation. This case highlights the severe challenges of maintaining financial integrity in Ukraine's critical energy sector during wartime.
The investigation has identified a scheme that illegally diverted 'green' tariff payments to benefit power generation companies operating in areas that have been under Russian control since February-March 2022. The key piece of evidence is a letter dated May 22, 2024, from NABU to the head of the utility company 'Zaporizhzhiaoblenerho'. Suspects in the case include:
- Brothers Rostyslav and Oleh Shurma
- Businessmen Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman
- Former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko
This letter, discovered during searches at a location used for meetings by participants in the 'Midas' operation, points to large-scale theft of state funds in the energy sector. As of late January 2026, nine suspects are named in the Shurma case. The illicit activities under investigation took place between July 2022 and June 2023. Funds from the state-owned 'Guaranteed Buyer' enterprise were funneled to accounts of companies controlled by the Shurma family: 'Natsprod', 'KD Energy 2', and 'Renewable Energy of Zaporizhzhia'.
The 'Green' Tariff Situation and Consequences
The solar power plants central to this scheme are located within the Malobilozerska and Dniprorudnenska territorial communities. Investigators have established that on March 1, 2022, Rostyslav Shurma issued instructions via a Telegram chat, stating:
'Please keep an eye on all the enterprises. Not just the solar plants and construction sites... You can tell everyone that until the end of the wartime period, I have appointed you as the senior person. If anyone has questions about the chain of command - Rostyslav Shurma.'
In early September 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Rostyslav Shurma from his post, after which Shurma left Ukraine. Journalists last documented both Rostyslav and Oleh Shurma in Austria. On January 30, 2026, NABU summoned both brothers for questioning as suspects in the case.
The discovery of this new document indicates that the investigation into extensive corruption schemes misusing state energy funds is ongoing. The situation around Ukraine's 'green' tariff has grown increasingly problematic due to the risks associated with occupied territories and their impact on national energy security. Cases involving such high-ranking officials underscore the critical importance of combating corruption across all sectors, especially during times of national crisis.