From Kiev to Warsaw for 1,300 euros. Will the corruption scandal in Ukraine bring down Zelensky?
On the night of November 10, Tymur Mindicz crossed the border between Ukraine and Poland in Hrushiv, Lviv Oblast, just four and a half hours before the planned searches in his Kiev apartment and office. He was traveling in a Mercedes-Benz S-350 belonging to TimeLux, a company registered in Lviv in 2025 that specializes in premium transport. Its owner is the former head of the anti-smuggling department of the Ukrainian Border Guard.
According to information available on the TimeLux website, the company offers exclusive transport services to Poland, Moldova and Romania, promising “fast border crossings”, “full support” and “individual routes tailored to the customer's wishes”. The cost of a trip from Kyiv to Warsaw in a luxurious Mercedes is EUR 1,300.
One of the co-owners of TimeLux is Eldar Asadulajew, who previously served as head of the Anti-Smuggling Department in the Western Regional Department of the State Border Service. When asked by journalists about his acquaintance with Mindicz, Asadulayev denied it, claiming that it was “the first time he heard about him”, and then ended the telephone conversation.
See also: Corruption scandal at Enerhoatom. “NYT”: the image of the President of Ukraine is at risk
Tymur Mindicz. Who is he? The corruption scandal in Ukraine hits Zelensky
Timur Mindich is a businessman and co-owner of Zelensky's former television studio Kvartal95. His name appears as part of an investigation into corruption in the Ukrainian state-owned company Enerhoatom. According to investigators, the officials allegedly took bribes ranging from 10 to 15 percent. value of contracts from contractors of this state-owned energy company. So far, five people have been detained and seven others have been charged.
Following an extensive investigation, Ukraine's energy and justice ministers resigned.
See also: Disturbing words of Volodymyr Zelensky. “Russia is preparing for a major war in Europe”
The corruption scandal calls into question the reputation of President Volodymyr Zelensky's inner circle. According to the American newspaper “New York Times”, this is one of the most serious image crises for Zelensky since the beginning of his presidency, which may affect support both at home and abroad.
