On February 17, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine (VAKS) made a decision regarding the preventive measure for Herman Galushchenko, the former Minister of Energy, who will be held in custody for 60 days, until April 15. According to information provided by Ukrainian media, Galushchenko is suspected of money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.
The court also established the possibility of release on bail in the amount of 200 million hryvnias (approximately 3.9 million euros). The prosecution insisted on a bail of 425 million hryvnias (about 8 million euros), while Galushchenko himself stated that he could not pay more than 30 million hryvnias. If bail is posted, the former minister will not be allowed to leave Kyiv and Kyiv region, communicate with other individuals involved in the case, including businessman Timur Mindich, and will be required to wear an electronic bracelet. Galushchenko expressed dissatisfaction with the court's decision and plans to raise funds for lawyers to file an appeal.
Arrested on February 15, 2026, while attempting to leave Ukraine, Galushchenko is a figure in the "Midas" case, related to large-scale embezzlement in the state enterprise "Energoatom." The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine (SAP) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) had previously reported on the progress of the investigation.
On February 16, he was charged with legalization (money laundering) and participation in a criminal organization, which, according to the investigation, earned more than 112 million dollars (94 million euros) illegally in the energy sector during his time in government.
Herman Galushchenko served as the Minister of Energy of Ukraine from April 2021 to July 2025, after which he became the Minister of Justice by appointment of President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, on November 10, 2025, NABU conducted searches at Galushchenko's residence, at "Energoatom," and at businessman Timur Mindich, who is a long-time partner of Zelensky and co-owner of the "Quarter 95" studio. Against the backdrop of these events, on November 12, Galushchenko was suspended from the position of Minister of Justice.
The investigation claims that the organizers of the scheme at "Energoatom" demanded kickbacks of 10-15% of the contract value, which forced counterparties to pay to avoid blocking payments for services rendered and to maintain their status as suppliers. This scheme received the unofficial name "barrier."
According to NABU, a management system was created in which a strategic enterprise with revenues exceeding 200 billion hryvnias was managed by an outsider without authority, instead of top managers or a supervisory board.
