The President Must Dismiss All Those Involved in the Mindich Case

The tapes released as part of Ukrainska Pravda’s investigation contain new evidence of Timur Mindich’s influence over the government and point to signs of corruption that undermine trust in the entire decision-making system, particularly in the defense sector.

Mykhailo Tkach’s report shows that, after the first notices of suspicion were served in this investigation, the authorities underestimated the damage done by the scheme’s participants. And they did not do enough to remove those under investigation from their posts.

Below are the key challenges that, in our view, change the overall context of the entire investigation and the related government processes.

1. New evidence of improper influence over the government 

The tapes document specific instances where Timur Mindich gave direct instructions to then-Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. In particular, he asks Umerov to “sign off on the acceptance” of body armor that the state had refused to accept, and lobbies for the appointment of certain people to positions. The tapes also reference potential “summoning” of NBU Governor Andrii Pyshnyi to resolve matters required by those under NABU investigation.

All this points to preferential treatment for certain businesses because they have powerful patrons. It has limited the potential growth and development of Ukraine’s defense sector and once again exposed an institutional gap in which state bodies remain vulnerable to interference by outside actors. 

2. The tapes indicate Mindich’s direct involvement in defense company Fire Point

The released materials show that former Defense Minister Umerov considers Timur Mindich to be the actual owner of Fire Point — and Mindich is evidently one of the firm’s beneficiaries. 

As the Public Anti-Corruption Council under the Ministry of Defense has stated, if this fact is confirmed, Fire Point will completely lose the ability to supply its products to Ukraine’s Defense Forces, because Mindich is under sanctions. It can therefore be assumed that Fire Point disclosed knowingly false information about its beneficiaries, and so, in the PACC’s view, may face a fine and be classified as a risky supplier.

This creates additional difficulties for Ukraine’s defense capabilities during wartime.

3. Questions raised again about the Dynasty cooperative and the President’s inner circle 

The released recordings have given us still more detail about the cottage complex being built in Kozyn, previously reported on by investigative journalists. It is now known that mansions in this complex were being prepared for, among others, former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, “Vova,” “Andrii,” and Timur Mindich. These facts have once again revived discussion of the Dynasty cooperative and renewed questions about the origin of funds for its construction.

These challenges reveal a deep distortion of the governance system and demand an immediate change of approach to prevent abuses. Despite the President’s public support for the investigation into the “Mindich case” and the dismissal of the Head of the Office of the President, the new data point to the suspect’s likely influence over NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov. 

Transparency International Ukraine calls on the President to remove from office all those involved in the scheme and to ensure transparency of decisions. The Office of the President’s selective reactions to the investigation not only strike at the state’s reputation but also undermine Ukraine’s internal capacity in wartime.