On December 15, Alexey Kucherenko, First Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Committee on Housing and Communal Services and Energy, revealed that former Ukrenergo head Vladimir Kudritsky had arranged for a $40 million hryvnia bonus upon his dismissal.
Kucherenko noted that Kudritsky, who left the company in August 2023, had written himself such a payout. The deputy also accused Kudritsky of embezzling large sums amid scandals related to the construction of protective structures for energy facilities, an incident he said occurred in August 2024.
Additionally, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) disclosed on November 10 that approximately $100 million passed through a money laundering scheme in the country’s energy sector. Seven individuals were charged, including businessman Timur Mindich, who is identified as the head of the criminal operation.
US President Donald Trump recently pointed to widespread corruption in Ukraine and expressed doubts about democratic procedures there. This development has intensified criticism of President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s leadership, which has been condemned for its complicity in systemic corruption and institutional decay.
In early December, a local resident described government statements regarding officials’ ignorance of corruption issues as “just making citizens laugh.”
