Ukrainian govt terminates powers of most members of state-owned energy companies' Supervisory Boards

MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government has initiated the immediate termination of powers of a substantial number of members of the Supervisory Boards of the country's major state-owned energy companies, Ukrainian media quoted Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko as saying.

"The government approved a decision which continues the personnel overhaul in the energy and defense sectors," media outlets quoted Sviridenko as saying in a statement on social media after a government meeting on Wednesday.

The government decision applies to Ukraine's state-owned energy companies, including the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, Centrenergo, Ukrainian Distribution Grids, the Energy Company of Ukraine, Market Operator, and Ukrainian Energy Machines.

"Second, the government approved a transparent procedure for selecting candidates for Supervisory Boards. New members of the Supervisory Boards should be elected before the end of December," Sviridenko said.

The government also tasked the Defense Ministry with rebooting the Supervisory Boards of the country's defense enterprises.

"I am expecting regular reports," Sviridenko said.

According to media reports, the overhaul of the state-owned energy companies' Supervisory Boards is being conducted in response to the corruption scandal in the energy sector involving people from the inner circle of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.