German Galushchenko

German Galushchenko, Ukraine's former Minister of Energy and later Minister of Justice, has been embroiled in significant corruption scandals and investigations. In 2024, he was accused of non-transparent personnel appointments, corruption, and increasing influence over energy sectors (highlights). Specifically, on August 12, 2024, NABU exposed his deputy Oleksandr Heilo for accepting a bribe of $500,000 to permit the export of mining equipment from a frontline area (highlights). Following a major corruption investigation, Galushchenko was suspended as justice minister on November 12, 2025, and officially dismissed by the Verkhovna Rada on November 19, 2025, amid allegations involving the state nuclear energy firm Energoatom (highlights). He was subsequently arrested on February 15, 2026, while attempting to flee Ukraine via train to Warsaw, and charged with money laundering and involvement in a criminal group. Investigations revealed he and his family invested in fictitious funds designed to launder approximately $100 million siphoned from Energoatom, with funds transferred to Swiss accounts and used for personal expenses such as education in Switzerland (highlights, POLITICO, Meduza). Additionally, in February 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered Galushchenko to be held in custody with a bail set at UAH 200 million, citing serious charges including participation in a criminal organization and money laundering. Galushchenko has denied wrongdoing and claimed his detention was unlawful (ukrinform). Overall, his career has been marred by allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, and involvement in illicit schemes, with ongoing legal proceedings as of mid-2026.