Former Minister Apprehended
On February 15, 2026, former Minister of Energy and Justice Herman Halushchenko was detained by detectives from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) at a border crossing. The arrest occurred as he attempted to leave the country as part of an investigation known as the 'Midas' case.
The 'Midas' Investigation
The 'Midas' case involves potential corruption schemes within the energy sector. The primary suspects are Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman, who are already under sanctions. In November 2025, NABU and SAPO formally accused Mindich in absentia of potential corruption related to 'Energoatom', Ukraine's state nuclear power company. Mindich is an Israeli citizen, and on February 10, 2026, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos announced plans to seek his extradition from Israel.
This follows sanctions imposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on November 13, 2025, against both Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman. The sanctions package includes 18 distinct restrictive measures, such as:
- Asset freezes,
- Restrictions on trade operations,
- Prevention of capital withdrawal,
- Suspension of economic and financial obligations.
In related movements, Zuckerman's son David left Ukraine by car with Mindich's family on February 25, 2022. However, Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman themselves returned to Ukraine by train from Warsaw to Kyiv at the end of April 2022.
SAPO released a statement confirming the arrest: 'Today, while crossing the state border, NABU detectives detained the former energy minister as part of the 'Midas' case. Urgent investigative actions are currently underway in accordance with legal requirements and court sanctions. Further details will follow.'
Halushchenko's detention marks a significant development in Ukraine's ongoing anti-corruption efforts, particularly within the energy sector, which has long been a focus of such probes. The 'Midas' case highlights the challenges of tackling complex, cross-border corruption networks. This arrest underscores the continued pressure on Ukraine's political elite and may influence both domestic politics and international judicial cooperation, especially regarding extradition requests.