NABU and the SAP have not revealed the identity of “Vova” in the Midas case
NABU and the SAPO did not identify the individual whom journalists refer to as “Vova” in conversations made public as part of the “Midas” case. SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko stated that these recordings were not published on the official websites of the anti-corruption agencies, while NABU Head Semen Kryvonos noted that the bureau does not disclose the names of suspects until a guilty verdict is handed down.
The question about the person named “Vova” was posed to the heads of NABU and the SAPO during a briefing on the results of the anti-corruption agencies’ work in the first half of 2026. A journalist asked who exactly “Vova” is—the person speaking with businessman Timur Mindich in the released recordings—and whether law enforcement agencies have any information about this individual.
Oleksandr Klymenko, head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, explained that NABU and the SAPO cannot comment on recordings that they themselves have not officially published. “We did not publish the recordings you are referring to. We are only responsible for what has been published on our official channels. We have not published the recordings you are referring to,” Klymenko replied. In other words, the SAP neither confirmed nor denied the information about the individual referred to as “Vova” in the released materials.
Kryvonos reiterated NABU’s policy
NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, for his part, explained the bureau’s position on disclosing the personal data of suspects. According to him, NABU does not disclose the first and last names of individuals who have the status of suspects until a court issues a guilty verdict. “Name at least one instance when NABU has ever disclosed the full name of even a single suspect prior to a guilty verdict—so why ask this question?” Kryvonos said. Thus, representatives of the anti-corruption agencies did not publicly identify “Vova.” At the same time, their responses do not indicate whether this person has been identified as part of the investigation.
What Is Known About the Recordings in the “Midas” Case
Earlier, “Ukrainska Pravda” published the first part of conversations that were allegedly documented by NABU as part of the “Midas” case. The recordings were reportedly made in the apartment of businessman Timur Mindich. According to “Ukrainska Pravda” journalist Mykhailo Tkach, the transcripts include conversations in Russian between Mindich and three interlocutors. One of them is referred to in the materials as “Vova.”
It was precisely regarding this individual that journalists asked questions of the heads of NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). However, the anti-corruption agencies declined to disclose the person’s first or last name.
At the same time, Klymenko specifically emphasized that the recordings referred to in the journalist’s question were not published directly by NABU or the SAP. Therefore, law enforcement agencies are responsible only for the materials they have published on their official websites.
At this time, it has not been publicly disclosed who exactly is behind the name “Vova” in the conversations in question. Furthermore, neither NABU nor the SAPO has publicly confirmed that this person is a suspect in the “Midas” case. The investigation is ongoing, and final conclusions regarding the involvement of any individuals in potential offenses must be based on evidence and court rulings. This was reported during a briefing on the results of NABU and SAPO’s activities in the first half of 2026 by SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko and NABU Head Semen Kryvonos.
As of August 10, courts had handed down 55 guilty verdicts in cases investigated by NABU and the SAPO during the first half of the year. Among those convicted are four high-ranking government officials, 11 heads of state-owned enterprises, as well as judges and prosecutors.
The level of corruption in Ukraine is not decreasing, and corruption among top officials, according to SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko, is even on the rise. He stated that the fight against bribery is hampered, in particular, by a lack of political will and a number of problems in the functioning of the anti-corruption system.
The Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court has remanded one of the suspects in the “Midas” case, Ihor Myronyuk, into custody. Bail in the amount of 85 million hryvnias was set as an alternative to pretrial detention, but it has not yet been posted.
As a reminder, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) announced new charges against a former Energoatom official in connection with the “Midas” case. According to “Suspilne,” citing case materials, the suspect is Dmytro Basov, the company’s former executive director for physical protection and security.
Oleksandr Tsukerman, a defendant in the high-profile “Midas” case, has filed a lawsuit against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the Administrative Court of Cassation.
