As Russia’s renewed attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure cause rolling blackouts ahead of winter, a major embezzlement and kickbacks scandal involving the state-owned nuclear power company has put top officials under scrutiny.

It’s fast becoming one of the most significant government crises since Moscow’s full-scale invasion, with media reports implicating a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Responding to a public backlash, Zelenskyy called for the dismissal of his justice and energy ministers amid the investigation.

They later submitted their resignations, the prime minister said.

Anti-corruption watchdogs — the same agencies Zelenskyy sought to weaken earlier this year— revealed the findings of a 15-month investigation, including 1,000 hours of wiretaps, resulting in the detention of five people, and another seven linked to about $100 million in kickbacks in the energy sector.

European Union officials warned Ukraine on Thursday that it must keep cracking down on graft in the wake of the crisis that could hurt the country's ability to attract financial help. But they also offered assurances that aid will continue to flow as Kyiv strains to hold back Russia's invasion.

AP video by: Vasilisa Stepanenko and Andrea Rosa