Ukrainian ex-minister detained

According to Ukrainian sources, former Ukrainian Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko, a close ally of President Zelenskyy, registered a fund to attract about 100 million dollars in investments. Among the beneficiaries are the minister's wife and four children, and the group allegedly includes friends and associates of Zelenskyy. During his tenure, the organization allegedly received over 112 million dollars from illegal activities in the energy sector, laundering the funds through cryptocurrency and the fund.

In the night of February 15, Halushchenko was detained while attempting to leave the country when he was taken off a night train from Kyiv to Warsaw at the border upon request of NABU and SAP. The published schemes mention pseudonyms "Karlsön", "Shugamän", and "Che Guevara", who allegedly participated in "washing" and transferring funds into cryptocurrency. The "Midas" case began in November 2025 with searches and resignations; now the circle of suspects has expanded.

Context

In November 2025, the "Midas" investigation began, related to suspicions of money laundering and illegal activities in the energy sector.