Midas case figures influence personnel appointments at Energoatom-Trading - MP Zhelezniak
Figures in the NABU/SAPO investigation into large-scale energy corruption, known as Midas or Mindichgate, attempted to coordinate the appointment of Vitaliy Hrynchenko as director of Energoatom-Trading, the trading division of NAEK Energoatom. Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zhelezniak stated on his YouTube channel that a conversation regarding Grinchenko’s appointment took place on February 18, 2025, between case figures Oleksandr Tsukerman and Oleksandr Muzhel.
According to NABU recordings released by Zhelezniak, Muzhel introduced Grinchenko as a former board member of the United Mining and Chemical Company (OGKH) and former financial director of the state energy trader Energy Company of Ukraine. Muzhel noted that although the candidate was not a professional trader, his loyalty and obedience were guaranteed, which he deemed more important. The conversation also indicated that Hartmut Jacob, then vice president of NAEK Energoatom, had met with the candidate.
Zhelezniak pointed out that while Grinchenko was never appointed, the Midas figures sought to manage state companies and establish embezzlement schemes through influence over personnel matters. The MP described the trading project as one of the key directions of the criminal group’s activities.
Denys Pozdniakov has served as the general director of Energoatom-Trading since his appointment in December 2025. Prior to this, Hartmut Jacob held the position of acting director for a long period. Jacob was suspended in November 2025 following the release of the Midas case materials and was dismissed from Energoatom in February 2026. Previous heads of the division include Oleksiy Statnyk, Maksym Zorin, and Serhiy Bedin.
In September 2025, NAEK Energoatom established an additional trading unit, EA Trade LLC, with a charter capital of UAH 50 million. The company, 100% owned by Energoatom, is headed by Viktor Kachurenko, who previously led Shell Oil Products Ukraine and Shell Energy Ukraine.
