The co-owner of the studio "Kvartal 95," Timur Mindich, was visited with a search. - NAnews

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In Kyiv, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) conducted a search at the home of businessman and co-owner of “Kvartal 95” Timur Mindich — a long-time partner and friend of President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, it became known that Mindich left the territory of Ukraine literally a few hours before the operation began.

Operation classified as “secret”

According to sources, the investigative actions were carried out as part of a large-scale investigation into corruption schemes in the energy sector. Herman Halushchenko — the former Minister of Energy, now the head of the Ministry of Justice, was also involved in the case.

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NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) confirmed that they are investigating the activities of a “high-level criminal network,” allegedly connected with the distribution of energy contracts and access to state resources. All details of the operation are still classified, but the bureau emphasizes that it concerns systemic abuses in a strategically important sector.

Who is Timur Mindich

Mindich is not only a media figure but also politically sensitive. He was at the origins of the studio “Kvartal 95”, which made Zelensky famous even before his presidency. After 2019, his name repeatedly surfaced in cases of financing political projects and managing business assets associated with the president’s entourage.

Journalistic investigations by “Censor Net” and “Ukrainian Truth” previously pointed to his possible involvement in the embezzlement of state funds. According to some media, Mindich left Ukraine back in the summer of 2025, when NABU was preparing suspicion under the article on illegal enrichment.

Government reaction and public pressure

The story with the searches coincided with the growing criticism of the President’s Office. Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law limiting the independence of NABU and SAP, which caused a storm of public outrage and protests by civil activists. The law was later repealed, but trust in the authorities had already been undermined.

The situation with Mindich again raised questions about the real independence of anti-corruption bodies. Political analysts note that this episode could become a test for the authorities — whether they can prove that the fight against corruption does not depend on personal connections and political influence.

Ukraine between reform and reality

The scandal around Mindich reflects the old problem of Ukrainian politics — the thin line between business, media, and power. The war with Russia has made the country a center of global attention, but inside, another battle continues — for transparency and justice.

For Ukraine’s international partners, the NABU investigation will be an indicator of how capable Kyiv is of maintaining its course on anti-corruption reforms even in wartime conditions.

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