2025-11-12 | Silicon Wafers 053 | Ukraine’s $100M Energy Graft Scandal. Ukraine’s anti-graft agencies say they’ve cracked a $100 million kickback ring in the energy sector, centred on state nuclear operator Energoatom. Seven suspects, five in custody, two on the run — and the blast radius of this scandal now reaches cabinet level. President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for the ousting of two ministers as searches, arrests, and wiretaps spill into public view. All this while Ukraine gears up for EU accession and Russia pounds Ukraine’s grid. (The Washington Post)What is “Operation Midas”? Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption bodies — NABU and SAPO — unveiled a long-running probe alleging 10–15% “rebates” skimmed from Energoatom contractors by a “high-level criminal organization.” The alleged total: $100 million. (The Washington Post)Investigators say the scheme matured over 15 months and 1,000 hours of audio; 70 raids followed. (The Washington Post) Status as of today: NABU/SAPO say five detained, seven charged, two fugitives remain at large. We’ll name who’s who in a moment. (Reuters)----------SOURCES: Washington Post — Ukraine announces energy corruption probe… (Nov 11, 2025)Al Jazeera — Ukraine anticorruption agency alleges $100m energy kickback scheme (Nov 10, 2025)Interfax-Ukraine (EN) — During investigation… names of 4 ministers recorded – NABU detective (Nov 11, 2025)Reuters — Ukraine moves to quell $100 million energy corruption scandal (Nov 12, 2025)The Guardian — Ukraine’s energy sector faces wide-scale investigation… (Nov 10, 2025)The Guardian — Zelenskyy fires ministers accused of involvement… (Nov 12, 2025)Kyiv Post — Ukraine Hit by Mega-Corruption Scandal: 7 Suspects, 2 Fugitives… (Nov 12, 2025)Kyiv Post — Zelensky Demands Ministers’ Resignations as Energy Corruption Scandal Deepens (Nov 12, 2025)Euronews — NABU probe: 70 raids; 15-month investigation (Nov 11, 2025)The Irish Times — Kickback claims at Energoatom; safety unaffected (Nov 11, 2025)CEPA — Ukraine’s Corruption Probe — Bad But Not Terminal (Nov 12, 2025)Mezha (ENG) — *Ukraine proposes new Energoatom supervisory board (with G7) (Nov 12, 2025)----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------