Detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have detained former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. The former official was attempting to leave the country but was removed from a night train, according to a report by Hvylya citing the NABU press service.
The Bureau officially confirmed the detention of a key figure in the "Midas" corruption case, which involves large-scale fraud at Energoatom. "Primary investigative actions are ongoing in accordance with legislative requirements and court sanctions. Details will follow," the agency stated.
Meanwhile, journalist Vitaliy Glagola clarified on his Telegram channel that Halushchenko was intercepted on the Kyiv-Warsaw train. "Sources within NABU informed me that early this morning, Herman Halushchenko was removed from night train No. 67/68 Kyiv-Warsaw while attempting to exit Ukraine," he reported.
According to the journalist, the incident occurred on the route that departs from Kyiv in the evening, passes through Kovel, and crosses the border at the Yahodyn checkpoint toward Poland. "Informed sources assure me that border guards triggered an exit ban index at the checkpoint. NABU detectives and SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office) prosecutors, who had placed him on the watch list, were subsequently called in," Glagola noted.
Halushchenko is currently detained for 72 hours under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code, pending a court decision on restrictive measures. The journalist also noted that the former minister has three minor children. "If not for the NABU and SAPO watch list, he could have freely left Ukraine. Whether he would have returned remains an open question," he added.
The detention follows a high-profile hearing before a temporary investigative commission of the Verkhovna Rada. At the time, the former minister testified under oath regarding his links to key figures in the investigation. Deputies specifically questioned his relationship with businessman Timur Mindich. Halushchenko claimed they were only connected because their children attended the same school, asserting their last conversation was in the summer and concerned only the "weather." However, investigators now believe they were accomplices in the Midas case, where Halushchenko allegedly used the pseudonym "Professor."
During the commission hearing, the official also characterized his relationships with Presidential Office representatives. He described his connection with Andriy Yermak as "professional," while characterizing his relationship with Rostyslav Shurma as "complicated." Additionally, Halushchenko claimed there was an assassination attempt against him on February 26, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion began.
Halushchenko headed the Ministry of Energy from April 2021 to July 2025, after which President Zelensky appointed him Minister of Justice. However, by November 2025, he became central to a scandal involving alleged corruption schemes in the energy sector. On November 10, 2025, NABU detectives conducted searches involving Halushchenko and others as part of "Operation Midas." Following the investigation, the government suspended him, and Parliament subsequently voted for his dismissal.
According to investigators, the former minister is implicated in a "kickback" scheme, although official charges have not yet been served. Case materials reportedly include wiretapped conversations between Halushchenko and Volodymyr Zelensky, which allegedly took place at the request of Timur Mindich, a businessman close to the President.