Zelenskyy vows to 'clean up' Ukraine's energy sector after allegations of corruption

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a "cleanup" of Ukraine's energy sector after a $100m kickback scheme was alleged by anti-corruption investigators.

- Jennifer Rankin Brussels Luke Harding Kyiv

A firefighter at the site of a Russian military strike yesterday in the Sumy region in the east of Ukraine

(STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/REUTERS)

Over the weekend, the country's president announced an overhaul of key state energy companies, including new management at Energoatom, the state nuclear power operator at the centre of the alleged criminal scheme.

Government officials, he said, were instructed "to maintain constant and meaningful communication with law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. Any scheme uncovered in these companies must receive a swift and just response."

Zelenskyy also said he had instructed the government to submit an "urgent law" to Ukraine's parliament to bring changes to the composition of a key energy regulator, the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission. He also promised to appoint new leaders at other energy bodies.

Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau announced last Monday that it was investigating a criminal gang behind a scheme whereby Energoatom's counterparties were forced to pay kickbacks of 10-15% to avoid having payments blocked or losing their supplier status. Ukrainian media reported that one of those involved was Timur Mindich, a businessman and co-owner of a media production company founded by Zelenskyy before he became president.