Ukraine’s Parliament votes to dismiss justice, energy ministers PHOTO

Ukrainian lawmakers have voted to dismiss Herman Galushchenko from his post as Minister of Justice, following his earlier suspension.

A total of 323 deputies in the Verkhovna Rada supported his dismissal, according to a live broadcast of the parliamentary session reported by RBC-Ukraine.

Galushchenko, who previously headed the Ministry of Energy before taking on the Justice portfolio, was temporarily replaced by Deputy Minister for European Integration Liudmyla Sugak.

The decision to remove Galushchenko comes amid a major investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) under Operation “Midas”, targeting alleged corruption at state nuclear company Energoatom.

On November 10, NABU carried out large-scale raids at Energoatom, Galushchenko’s residence, and the offices of businessman Timur Mindich, co-owner of “Kvartal 95”. Mindich had left the country hours before the raids, reportedly “legally,” according to the State Border Guard Service.

Investigators allege that the defendants established a kickback system on Energoatom contracts, with companies forced to pay 10–15% to “shadow curators” to avoid suspension of payments and maintain their status as suppliers. Funds were allegedly laundered through a Kyiv office linked to the family of former MP and current Russian senator Andrei Derkach.

On November 12, the government appointed Deputy Minister for European Integration Liudmyla Sugak as acting Minister of Justice. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called for the dismissal of both Galushchenko and Svetlana Hrynchuk, stating they could no longer hold office. Both ministers subsequently submitted their resignations.

Verkhovna Rada has also voted to dismiss Svitlana Hrynchuk from her position as Minister of Energy, with 315 deputies supporting her resignation.

The decision follows a prior vote by the parliament’s relevant committee in favour of her dismissal.

By Aghakazim Guliyev