Story perspectives

Midas Probe Expands to Mindich, Umerov; EU Entry Hangs.

5/15/2026

Left

Midas Probe Expands

The “Midas” anti-corruption probe has widened to include businessman Timur Mindich and security chief Rustem Umerov.
Andriy Yermak denied the corruption charges and said his lawyers will seek bail funds from friends.
Olena Halushka of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre said the case shows functioning checks and balances.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Ukraine cannot join EU until it ends war and curbs corruption.

Right

Yermak Detained

Andriy Yermak entered the Kyiv courtroom wearing a Ukrainian-flag badge as a symbol of patriotism.
Authorities detained Andriy Yermak in Kyiv on money-laundering charges, setting bail at 140 million hryvnia, with him remaining in custody.
Yermak denied the charges and said lawyers will seek bail funds from friends.
Investigators tied the case to a $100 million nuclear-energy firm scheme, with several associates detained.

History

Historical Context

Following IMF-mandated reforms, Ukraine’s parliament adopted the NABU law on 14 October 2014 and President Petro Poroshenko signed it on 16 April 2015. NABU’s investigations later generated a significant UAH 4.7 billion economic effect in 2023, showing the bureau’s continued role in Ukraine’s EU-linked anti-corruption drive. The agency, whose detectives were trained by the FBI and the EU, remains a prerequisite for EU visa liberalisation and foreign financing.

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Midas Probe Expands

The “Midas” anti-corruption probe has widened to include businessman Timur Mindich and security chief Rustem Umerov.
Andriy Yermak denied the corruption charges and said his lawyers will seek bail funds from friends.
Olena Halushka of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre said the case shows functioning checks and balances.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Ukraine cannot join EU until it ends war and curbs corruption.

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