Goncharenko threatens to have ex-minister Fedorov forcibly brought to VSK session

Verkhovna Rada Temporary Investigative Commission (VSK) chairman Oleksiy Goncharenko has stated that former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is ignoring an invitation to the VSK session scheduled for August 31, and threatened to initiate his forced appearance if he fails to show up.

According to Goncharenko, Fedorov is not responding to the commission’s invitation while continuing to give interviews.

“Mykhailo Fedorov is not responding to the VSK’s invitation. The ex-defense minister is ignoring the VSK’s invitation for Monday and is trying to pretend he never received it. At the same time, commission members can see that Mr. Fedorov is not ignoring endless interviews. That’s not how this works. Disrespect toward the parliament of Ukraine will end painfully,” — Goncharenko said.

If Fedorov does not appear at the session, the commission intends to exercise its right to initiate his forced appearance.

“Law enforcement will be compelled to bring him in. Let’s not let it come to that, and simply comply with the law of Ukraine,” — the VSK chairman added.

The VSK session is scheduled for 13:00 on August 31. The Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda reached out to Fedorov for comment on Goncharenko’s statement.

On August 25, the Verkhovna Rada VSK summoned Fedorov to a session to provide explanations regarding Operation Midas. The letter sent to him stated that his presence was required to give explanations and testimony as part of the examination of information about Operation Midas, which NABU made public on November 11, 2025. The commission is investigating possible violations of defense and anti-corruption legislation, as well as the observance of human rights and freedoms during martial law.

The investigation was prompted by a large-scale corruption case at NAEK Energoatom. On November 10, NABU conducted searches at the premises of businessman Tymur Mindich and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, and also exposed a scheme to embezzle funds in the energy sector, publishing audio recordings of conversations between those involved. According to sources at Ukrainska Pravda, Mindich left Ukraine several hours before the searches.

On November 11, journalists identified all the individuals involved in the investigation. According to the Skhemy project, suspicions were served on Tymur Mindich (referred to in NABU’s audio recordings under the alias “Karlson”), former adviser to the energy minister Ihor Mironyuk (“Rocket”), Energoatom’s executive director for security Dmytro Basov (“Tenor”), Oleksandr Tsukerman (“Sugarman”), Ihor Fursenko (“Ryoshyk”), Lesia Ustymenko, and Liudmyla Zorina. Five of them were detained; Mindich and Tsukerman left Ukraine. Basov, Mironyuk, Fursenko, Ustymenko, and Zorina were placed under restraining measures with the option of posting bail. Subsequently, the High Anti-Corruption Court received bail payments for Ustymenko and Zorina.

On November 12, Halushchenko was suspended from his post as justice minister. On November 13, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted an NSDC decision imposing sanctions against Tymur Mindich — co-owner of the Kvartal-95 studio — and Oleksandr Tsukerman.