The fugitive Ukrainian corrupt official Mindich was found in Israel – journalists managed to take his photo on December 21, 2025

On December 21, 2025, businessman Timur Mindich was spotted in Israel. Journalists managed to capture his presence, but the details of this episode have not yet been disclosed. The story has gained wide resonance against the backdrop of the ongoing anti-corruption investigation in Ukraine.

Mindich’s figure is closely linked to one of the most high-profile scandals of recent years. In November 2023, Ukrainian law enforcement conducted searches at Timur Mindich’s premises — a former associate of Volodymyr Zelensky and co-owner of the studio Kvartal 95. It was then that the case took on a political dimension.

According to NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, Mindich was considered the alleged leader of a group associated with corruption schemes at the state enterprise Energoatom, which services three Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

The investigation claims that participants in the scheme systematically received kickbacks from contractors — from 10 to 15 percent of contract values. Through the so-called “laundry,” according to anti-corruption agencies, about 100 million dollars could have passed. These figures became key in forming public and international resonance.

Almost immediately after the travel ban was introduced, Mindich left Ukraine. He flew to Israel even before the searches began on November 10, the day when the anti-corruption investigation effectively went public, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. Having Israeli citizenship allowed him to legally enter the country.

A separate twist in the story occurred on December 10, 2025. Entrepreneur Ihor Kolomoisky claimed in court about an attempted assassination on Mindich, allegedly occurring in Israel on November 28. According to him, the attackers were detained, and the crime was thwarted due to a mistake — the perpetrators confused the address.

A source familiar with the situation neither confirmed nor denied this information but noted that the current situation around Mindich in Israel is assessed as calm, without signs of immediate threat.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the consequences are intensifying. Zelensky imposed personal sanctions against Mindich. The businessman was declared wanted, and similar measures were applied to his alleged associate — Oleksandr Tsukerman. According to Ukrainian media, both do not plan to return to the country, fearing criminal prosecution.

Western publications have already begun analyzing political risks. The magazine The Economist, citing sources, wrote that the “Mindich case” could become a kind of “day of reckoning” for Zelensky. In Poland, there were calls to provide explanations regarding corruption in Energoatom contracts, emphasizing that a country with such problems cannot count on EU membership.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban also stated that after this scandal, Kyiv should not expect support from Budapest. Thus, the story of one businessman is gradually transforming into a factor of foreign policy pressure on the Ukrainian leadership — and it is in this context that it is being closely monitored by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.