November 4: Carthage, the Midas case and power cuts
NABU reported developments in two investigations while Kyiv and the surrounding region switched between power-cut regimes. Selected verified events of the day.
On November 4, 2026, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) reported uncovering an organization that allegedly paid law enforcement officials to protect illegal businesses, and completing the pretrial investigation in the Midas case. Emergency power cuts were reintroduced during the day in Kyiv and the surrounding region. This is a roundup of selected verified events during the calendar day, Kyiv time, rather than a comprehensive account.
Carthage: investigators’ allegations and dismissals at the SBU
According to NABU, the organization involved at least 12 people, including serving senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Police. Investigators describe its organizer as a man with multiple previous convictions. Detectives allege that corrupt connections enabled fraudulent call centers targeting Ukrainians and foreigners, drug sales, and the production of counterfeit cigarettes and foreign currency. NABU also alleged the organization of attacks, abductions and bodily harm.
The SBU confirmed that its employees were being searched under court orders. The service later said its chief, Oleksandr Poklad, had dismissed two senior officials from their posts after they became subjects of Operation Carthage. It said it was assisting the procedural actions. Dismissal is not a judicial finding of guilt; the accounts of criminal conduct remain investigators’ allegations.
Midas: investigation completed, asset searches continue
NABU and SAPO announced the completion of the pretrial investigation into an alleged corruption scheme influencing state enterprises, including Energoatom. Investigators say participants received between 10% and 15% of contract values from contractors of Energoatom and enterprises overseen by the Energy Ministry. According to the bureau, more than US$111 million and €12 million in cash from the energy sector was transferred to a separate office of the organization in 2020–2025.
Detectives allege that cryptocurrency, securities and a foreign investment fund were used to launder money. NABU said efforts to locate and freeze assets would continue. Other proceedings were separated from the case materials and remain under investigation. Completion of a pretrial investigation does not amount to a conviction.
Kyiv and the region: a temporary return to scheduled cuts
During November 4, DTEK reported emergency power cuts in the capital and Kyiv region, then their cancellation and a return to scheduled cuts, followed by the reintroduction of emergency restrictions on Ukrenergo’s instructions. Published schedules do not apply during emergency cuts. Their cancellation therefore did not mean a stable restoration of supply for the remainder of the day.
The company attributed the frequent changes to the need to balance the power system after attacks. DTEK also said three of its thermal power plants had stopped operating on November 3 because of extensive destruction. It advises residents to check the current regime and their address-specific schedule on its website, through its chatbot, in Kyiv Digital or through YASNO services.
Primary sources
Documents and statements this story is based on.
