Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a comprehensive restructuring of state-owned energy companies following a significant corruption scandal that has rocked the nation’s energy sector. Anti-corruption investigators revealed that approximately $100 million (£76m) has been embezzled, sparking widespread outrage in a country already grappling with severe power outages caused by Russian attacks. In a post on X on Saturday, Zelensky outlined plans for a full audit of the financial activities of these companies and a renewal of their management. The state nuclear company, Energoatom, which is central to the scandal, will see a new supervisory board appointed within a week. Several individuals implicated in the scandal have close ties to Zelensky, adding complexity to the situation. The scandal emerges as Russian assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including substations supplying nuclear power plants, intensify. Zelensky has instructed government officials to maintain continuous communication with law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. He also called for the swift appointment of a new head of Ukrhydroenergo, a hydropower company, and reforms for oil and gas giant Naftogaz and the Gas Transmission System Operator. The scandal has already led to the resignation of two ministers and sanctions against a former business partner of Zelensky. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) disclosed that a 15-month investigation has implicated several government members, including Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, and businessman Timur Mindich, a co-owner of Zelensky’s former TV studio Kvartal95. Zelensky has reiterated his commitment to full cooperation with the anti-corruption investigation, emphasizing the importance of transparency and integrity in the energy sector. However, the scandal has cast doubt on Zelensky’s dedication to combating corruption, especially after he signed a law in July limiting the independence of Nabu and Sap. Although he later reversed this decision, the incident drew criticism from European allies, including France and Germany, and prompted G7 ambassadors to seek discussions with Ukrainian leadership.