The alleged mastermind behind the Mindich affair, a high-profile corruption investigation in Ukraine, is set to face a new challenge. The extraordinary political survivor, identified as a key figure in the scandal, is now slated for replacement.
Gen. Evgeny Khmara, a career commando, is taking over as the replacement for the alleged mastermind. Khmara rose through the ranks of the Security Service of Ukraine, a powerful agency with a reputation for abusing its power. The agency was accused of putting pressure on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) to drop investigations against President Zelensky's inner circle.
One notable case involved Ruslan Magomedrasulov, a senior detective in the Mindich inquiry, who was arrested by the SBU alongside his father over claims that they had a joint business in Russia. This move was seen as an attempt to silence the detective and undermine the investigation.
In 2025, President Zelensky faced international pressure when he tried to place NABU and SAPO under the office of the prosecutor general, effectively stripping their independence. Western donors threatened to suspend all aid to Ukraine in response to this move, leading Zelensky to reverse the legislative changes.
