Zelensky's Plan to Clean Up Ukraine's Energy Sector Post-Scandal

Sun Nov 16 2025 22:20:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the wake of a $100 million corruption scandal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledges major reforms to the energy sector, promising transparency and accountability. Find out what's next for Ukraine's energy industry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has committed to a significant overhaul of the state energy companies following a massive corruption scandal involving $100 million in embezzlement. With ongoing Russian attacks affecting energy infrastructure, Zelensky emphasizes the need for transparency, promising renewed management and complete audits. The scandal has already led to the resignation of two cabinet ministers, raising concerns about the integrity of his administration's anti-corruption efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to overhaul state-owned energy companies, after a major corruption scandal engulfed the country's energy sector.

Around $100 million (£76m) has been embezzled, anti-graft investigators said, causing outrage in a country where Russian attacks have resulted in crippling power outages.

Alongside a full audit of their financial activities, the management of these companies is to be renewed, Zelensky wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

Energoatom, the state nuclear company at the heart of the scandal, will have a new supervisory board within a week, he added.

Several of those implicated in the scandal have close links to the Ukrainian president.

The scandal unfolds against the backdrop of escalating Russian assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities. Zelensky ordered government officials to maintain constant communication with law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies, emphasizing the need for transparency across the energy sector.

In response, two ministers have resigned, and an investigation revealed several government officials' involvement, prompting scrutiny of Zelensky's commitment to fighting corruption.

Despite earlier controversies regarding limitations on anti-corruption agencies, Zelensky is now reinforcing his stance for integrity in the energy sector, aiming to restore public trust in his administration.