Rustem Umerov Testifies as Witness in Ukraine’s Largest Corruption Probe Under Zelenskyy

Rustem Umerov — now serving as secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and previously defense minister — has been questioned by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), Orda.kz reports, citing The Kyiv Independent.

The questioning is in connection with the ongoing Energoatom corruption probe, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Nov. 26, citing Umerov’s press service.

The Energoatom affair is considered the largest corruption investigation undertaken during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s tenure. Eight individuals have already been charged, with businessman Timur Mindich — known as a close associate of the president — described by investigators as the key organizer.

Umerov did not personally comment on the matter. Still, his press office confirmed that he appeared before NABU as a witness “to provide testimony in an investigation into alleged interference in the activities of a state official.”

According to the statement, “the conversation was constructive. Rustem Umerov answered all the investigators' questions in accordance with procedural law.”

Prosecutors claim Mindich gained illegal access to state funds by relying on his proximity to senior officials and repeatedly meeting with ministry heads. 

The successful execution of these criminal activities depended on maintaining personal ties with the heads of ministries and holding systematic meetings with them and other influential state officials at his actual place of residence. the charges state.

Investigators say these connections allegedly allowed him to profit from government contracts “with the assistance of Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov, Energy Minister Halushchenko, and other individuals.”

One of the key episodes in the case concerns the purchase of bulletproof vests.

The charges state that Mindich pressured Umerov to finalize a contract with an Israeli supplier. Although the agreement was signed, the equipment reportedly arrived late, and Ukrainian troops eventually received Chinese-made vests of inferior quality.