STORY: Ukraine's government has suspended Justice Minister German Galushchenko, the prime minister said on Wednesday (November 12) amid an investigation into corruption in the energy sector.

Ukrainian authorities charged seven individuals in relation to an alleged $100 million kickback scheme involving senior energy officials that has caused public anger and focused attention on Kyiv's battle against corruption.

Galushchenko, who had previously served as energy minister, was the subject of investigative actions, his ministry said on Tuesday (November 11).

It did not specify whether this was in relation to the energy corruption case investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Galushchenko agreed with the government's decision, saying "suspension for the duration of the investigation is a civilized and appropriate scenario" in a post on Facebook.

"I will defend myself in the legal arena and prove my position," Galushchenko added, without sharing more details about the causes of the probe.

Accusations of kickbacks in the energy sector are particularly sensitive with the broader public, which is facing lengthy daily blackouts across much of the country even before cold winter temperatures set in as it fends off massive Russian attacks on its infrastructure.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: SCREENSHOTS OF FACEBOOK POSTS BY UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER YULIA SVYRYDENKO AND UKRAINIAN JUSTICE MINISTER GERMAN GALUSHCHENKO / FILE FOOTAGE OF GALUSHCHENKO WHEN HE HELD POST OF UKRAINIAN ENERGY MINISTER

SHOWS: INTERNET (NOVEMBER 12, 2025) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - Access all)

1. SCREENSHOT OF FACEBOOK POST BY UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER YULIA SVYRYDENKO READING (Ukrainian): "This morning, we held an emergency government session and approved the decision to suspend German Galushchenko from his duties as justice minister. According to government decision, the responsibilities of the justice minister will be temporarily assumed by Deputy Justice Minister for European Integration, Liudmyla Suhak."

2. SCREENSHOT OF FACEBOOK POST BY UKRAINIAN JUSTICE MINISTER GERMAN GALUSHCHENKO READING (Ukrainian): "I spoke with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and fully agree: we should approve the political decision first and then investigate all the details. I’m not clinging to the ministerial position and won’t hold onto it. I believe suspension for the duration of the investigation is a civilised and appropriate scenario. I will defend myself in the legal arena and prove my position. Thank you!"

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, UKRAINE (FILE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

3. CHIEF OF INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA), RAFAEL GROSSI, AND GALUSCHENKO (THEN UKRAINIAN ENERGY MINISTER) VISITING POWER SUBSTATION

4. GALUSHCHENKO WALKING AWAY WITH MEMBERS OF IAEA MISSION

5. DAMAGED SUBSTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

6. GROSSI AND GALUSHCHENKO STANDING AND TALKING

7. VARIOUS OF DAMAGED SUBSTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

8. GROSSI, GALUSHCHENKO AND MEMBERS OF IAEA MISSION STANDING FOR PHOTO

KYIV, UKRAINE (FILE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. VARIOUS OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY GROSSI AND GALUSHCHENKO

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, UKRAINE (FILE - AUGUST 22, 2023) (REUTERS - Access all)

10. VARIOUS OF THEN BRITISH ENERGY SECRETARY GRANT SHAPPS AND GALUSHCHENKO INSPECTING POWER PLANT DAMAGED BY RUSSIAN MISSILE STRIKES

KYIV, UKRAINE (FILE - AUGUST 22, 2023) (REUTERS - Access all)

11. GALUSHCHENKO SPEAKING

12. OFFICIALS SIGNING MEMORANDUM ON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MINE CLEARANCE IN PRESENCE OF GALUSHCHENKO AND SHAPPS

KYIV, UKRAINE (FILE - AUGUST 25, 2022) (REUTERS – Access all)

13. VARIOUS OF GALUSHCHENKO SPEAKING DURING INTERVIEW

MYKOLAIV REGION, UKRAINE (FILE - MARCH 16, 2023) (REUTERS – Access all)

14. THEN CHIEF OF ENERGOATOM, UKRAINE'S STATE NUCLEAR ENERGY COMPANY, PETRO KOTIN, AND GALUSHCHENKO INSPECTING EQUIPMENT

15. GALUSHCHENKO SPEAKING

16. VARIOUS OF WORKERS AT FACTORY