Timur Mindich was earlier charged with running a high-profile graft scheme at a state-run nuclear power company

Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Vladimir Zelensky and a central figure in a major corruption investigation in Kiev, has been placed under personal sanctions by the Ukrainian government.

Mindich co-owns the entertainment studio founded by Zelensky and is known as a long-time personal friend of the Ukrainian leader. His role in government has dramatically increased in recent years, particularly in the energy and defense sectors.

On Thursday, Zelensky signed off on a Security and Defense Council decision sanctioning Mindich and another suspect in the investigation, Aleksandr Zukerman. The sanctions, which are legally valid only in Ukraine, were announced only after both men are believed to have fled to Israel. Mindich's sudden departure on Monday reportedly came just hours before his residence was to be raided, raising questions about whether he had been tipped off. Both men are Israeli citizens.

The sanctions range from personal asset freezes to a ban on bidding for privatized state property, to a prohibition on radio broadcasting in Ukraine.

According to Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), Mindich and his co-conspirators pressured Energoatom contractors to pay kickbacks, resulting in more than $100 million in losses to the Ukrainian budget. Investigators also believe the group helped launder money for other criminal networks.

The scandal has reached senior levels of government. Former energy minister and current justice minister German Galushchenko and his former deputy-turned-successor Svetlana Grinchuk - who NABU surveillance showed regularly staying overnight at Galushchenko's home - have reportedly both submitted their resignations.

Media reports indicate that further searches are expected at the Defense Ministry, which has previously been embroiled in scandals involving overpriced procurement. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is currently visiting Türkiye, has denied allegations that Mindich's circle held influence over decisions made by his ministry. Some opposition lawmakers, however, have questioned the timing of his trip abroad.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as "extremely unfortunate." The allegations come as Kiev is urgently seeking tens of billions of euros in additional Western funding to sustain its military campaign.

Zelensky distanced himself from Mindich, saying that those guilty of corruption must be tried and sentenced. The leader of a nation at war "cannot have any friends," he told Bloomberg on Wednesday.

(RT.com)