
One of Ukraine's biggest corruption scandals is widening further, as the publication of new wiretaps by Ukrainian media has raised suspicions of indirect involvement of President Volodymyr Zelensky's inner circle in a multi-million dollar affair in the energy sector.
According to the materials made public, the wiretaps are part of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine's (NABU) investigation into businessman Tymur Mindich, who is described as a close friend and associate of Zelensky.
The investigations are related to an alleged corruption and influence peddling scheme at the state-owned energy company Energoatom, which has previously led to the dismissal of several senior officials, including government ministers.
The publication of over 1,400 pages of transcripts has further added to the suspicions, which mention several times a person named "Vova", a shortened form of the name Volodymyr, which is used informally for President Zelensky.
According to the investigative file and Ukrainian media reports, the scheme also mentions the construction of a luxury villa complex near Kiev, some of which are suspected to have been intended for senior administration figures and people close to the government.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have filed money laundering charges against former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, indirectly confirming the continuation of investigations into the matter.
According to investigators, funds suspected of coming from corrupt schemes in the energy sector, with a value exceeding several tens of millions of dollars, were used for the villa project.
President Zelensky has so far not publicly reacted to the allegations or the publication of the wiretaps, while his office has limited itself to stating that it has no comment on the matter.
Despite the developments, polls show that Zelensky continues to have high support among Ukrainian public opinion, at a time when the country is still at war with Russia.