Oleksandr Tsukerman, whom investigators consider a co-organizer of large-scale corruption schemes in the energy sector alongside Tymur Mindich and employees of a “back office” for money laundering, has categorically rejected the accusations from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. In a comment to journalists, he stated his readiness to return to Ukraine as soon as the opportunity arises.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Tsukerman’s Position and Reactions to the Allegations
During a conversation with journalists, Oleksandr Tsukerman initially showed reluctance to communicate but briefly commented on the corruption allegations. When asked about his stay in Israel, he replied that it does not matter but confirmed that he plans to return to his homeland when circumstances allow. Journalists also sent him additional questions in writing; however, responses have not yet been received.
“Everything is untrue, all lies,” he stated.
According to sources in law enforcement, 61-year-old Oleksandr Tsukerman officially left Ukraine a few weeks ago. At the time of the full-scale invasion, he held a foreign passport of a citizen of Israel, which he had previously used to cross the border.
Details of the NABU Case and Key Figures
According to NABU materials, within the framework of Operation “Midas,” Tsukerman received the codename “Sugar Man.” In February 2025, audio recordings revealed him discussing the transfer of money to then-Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, emphasizing a desire to avoid large amounts of cash. The following day, another conversation was recorded, where the amount of funds was discussed with someone likely to be Chernyshov (“Che Guevara”). Oleksiy Chernyshov has not commented on the allegations.
MP from the “Holos” party Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that the Tsukerman brothers were involved in financial matters for Tymur Mindich.
On November 10, NABU detectives conducted searches at Tymur Mindich’s and former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko’s premises, who was soon temporarily suspended from his duties as Minister of Justice. NABU reported the exposure of a criminal organization that systematically received illegal benefits from “Energoatom” contracts, ranging from 10% to 15% of their total value. It has been established that the money was laundered through a back office in central Kyiv, where the amount of illegal funds reached approximately 100 million dollars.
Tymur Mindich, who, according to law enforcement, left Ukraine before the searches, is currently not commenting on the situation.
In the NABU case, eight individuals have been announced as suspects, including businessman and co-founder of the “Kvartal-95” studio Tymur Mindich (codename “Karlson”), former advisor to the Minister of Energy Ihor Myroniuk (“Rocket”), Executive Director for Security at “Energoatom” Dmytro Basov (“Tenor”), as well as four employees of the “back office”: Oleksandr Tsukerman (“Sugar Man”), Ihor Fursenko (“Ryoshik”), Lesya Ustyimenko, and Lyudmyla Zorina. Several of them have already been placed under preventive measures in the form of detention with the possibility of bail.
The Cabinet of Ministers has appealed to the National Security and Defense Council with a proposal to impose sanctions against two figures in the “Energoatom” case, as reported by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a corresponding decree regarding the imposition of sanctions based on the government’s submission concerning two individuals involved in the NABU case regarding “Energoatom.” According to sources, Tymur Mindich and Oleksandr Tsukerman will be subject to sanctions.