Two foreign members of Energoatom's supervisory board have resigned. National Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak from the "Holos" party reported this on Telegram, citing a specific reason: Patrick Fragman and Brice Buyuon were not paid salary for three months.
Who left — and why this is not a minor issue
Fragman is not an ordinary consultant. Former President and CEO of Westinghouse Electric Company — the world's largest nuclear technology company. Westinghouse supplies fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power plants and will build new AP1000 reactors in Ukraine. Buyuon is a French diplomat and strategic management expert. Both joined the board, which the Cabinet of Ministers formed on January 28, 2026, following a major corruption scandal involving a former Zelensky associate.
"Two new foreign members of Energoatom's supervisory board have submitted resignation letters… Including because they were not paid salary for three months"
— Yaroslav Zheleznyak, National Deputy ("Holos"), Telegram
Context: the board existed for less than two months
The new supervisory board was appointed after NABU and SAP conducted Operation "Midas" in November 2025 — and uncovered a criminal organization linked to the resale of Energoatom's electricity. The old board's term ended on August 20, 2025, while the new board — consisting of seven members, four of whom are foreigners — held its first meeting only on February 26, 2026.
At that meeting, Fragman was elected vice-chair of the board. According to Interfax Ukraine, the board approved new committees — on security and strategic planning. And shortly after — resignation letters.
- Rumina Velshi (Canada) — former head of nuclear regulator, board chair
- Patrick Fragman (Belgium/USA) — ex-CEO of Westinghouse, vice-chair — resigning
- Laura Garbenchute-Bakiene (Lithuania) — financial expert
- Brice Buyuon (France) — diplomat, strategic management — resigning
What this means for Energoatom
Energoatom generates approximately half of Ukraine's electricity. One of the key tasks of the new board was to prepare the company for attracting a strategic investor — this was publicly stated by the Ministry of Energy. The resignation of two members — especially Fragman with his direct connections to Westinghouse — complicates this track and sends a signal to potential partners about the level of institutional reliability.
A state that attracted top international experts with prominent public relations was unable to pay them salary for three months — that is, the entire period from their appointment to the board's first meeting.
If the government does not confirm a payment mechanism and does not retain the remaining independent members, the next question will be direct: will the supervisory board without Fragman be able to conduct a competition for a new Energoatom CEO — a process the board has just declared a priority?
