France, Nov. 13 -- The scandal, which has unfolded as the country deals with Russian strikes that have battered its power grid ahead of winter, centres onrevelations from Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies that a criminal network allegedly siphoned off €90 million from contracts linked to the state nuclear company, Energoatom.

Investigators say the network was run byMindich - a businessman and a co-owner of Zelensky's former TV studio Kvartal95 - who reportedly fled the country hours before the scheme came to light.

Zelensky on Wednesday told Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko to resign, and on Thursdayannounced a decree freezing Mindich's assets.

The scandal has triggered a crisis of confide...