Former Energy Minister Detained in Money Laundering Probe: The 'Midas' Case Details

Herman Halushchenko's Arrest

According to Главком: Former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko was detained on February 15, 2026, on suspicion of money laundering and involvement in a criminal organization. Detectives from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) apprehended him as he attempted to leave the country. During a court hearing, Halushchenko referenced recordings from 'Operation Midas,' where he was identified by the aliases 'Professor' and 'Sigismund.' This arrest is part of a wider, ongoing crackdown on high-level corruption in Ukraine.

Operation 'Midas' and Suspects

Operation 'Midas' marks a significant phase in the investigation of corruption schemes. On November 10, 2025, NABU formally announced suspicions against seven individuals, including:

• Timur Mindich, a businessman and co-founder of the 'Kvartal-95' studio
• Ihor Myroniuk, a former advisor to the energy minister
• Dmytro Basov, the security executive director of the 'Energoatom' company
• Oleksandr Zuckerman, a representative of the back-office for money laundering
• Ihor Fursenko, a representative of the back-office for money laundering
• Lesia Ustymenko, a representative of the back-office for money laundering
• Liudmyla Zorina, a representative of the back-office for money laundering

Herman Halushchenko holds the academic title of Associate Professor in the Department of International Private Law, having received his associate professor certificate on February 26, 2015. Upon his detention, he notably stated:

"Incidentally, I am not a professor; I am an associate professor."

The High Anti-Corruption Court partially upheld Halushchenko's complaint regarding the legality of his detention, indicating that legal proceedings in the case are continuing. As the investigation unfolds, further details may impact the situation surrounding the former minister and others implicated in the 'Midas' affair. The case highlights systemic vulnerabilities within Ukraine's critical energy sector, which has long been a focus for reform efforts.

The detention of Herman Halushchenko underscores the active efforts of Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies to combat corruption at the highest levels of government. Operation 'Midas' and the related suspicions against other individuals point to a systemic issue with corrupt schemes in the energy sector. The trajectory of this investigation could significantly influence Ukraine's political landscape and public trust in anti-corruption measures. Analyzing the outcome and consequences of this case may prove a crucial step in shaping future anti-corruption policy in the country.