Ukraine Suspends Justice Minister Amidst Corruption Allegations
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s government has suspended Justice minister Timur Mindich following accusations of involvement in a $100 million corruption scheme within the energy sector, officials confirmed Tuesday evening. The move comes as Ukrainian investigators probe allegations that Mindich, a close friend of President Volodymyr Zelensky, organized a system of illicit financial activity.
The suspension follows revelations of an extortion network operating within Energoatom, the national nuclear energy company, prompting the government to dismiss its supervisory board on Monday.
The developments occur against the backdrop of intense fighting in eastern Ukraine. President Zelensky acknowledged a “tough” situation in the Pokrovsk sector of the Donetsk oblast and in the Zaporizhia oblast, citing unfavorable whether conditions aiding Russian attacks.Though, Zelensky reported a more positive trend in Kupiansk, Kharkiv oblast, where ukrainian forces are “getting results” and have recently dislodged Russian troops, according to sector spokesperson Victor Tregubov.
Simultaneously occurring, overnight drone strikes targeted two Russian oil refineries: Rosneft in Saratov Oblast and Orsknefteorgsintez in Orsk, Orenburg region – both located over 1,400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
