Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies raided the residence of Andrii Yermak, the President’s top aide, prompting his immediate resignation. No formal charges have been filed.
Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) conducted searches at the residence of Andrii Yermak, the former Chief of Staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Friday. Following the search, Yermak resigned from his position. Yermak has not been formally accused of wrongdoing, and no charges have been filed against him.
Details of the Investigation
NABU and SAPO named Yermak as a suspect in an investigation into an organized group alleged to have laundered approximately €9 million between 2021 and 2025 through a luxury property development project near Kyiv. Six other individuals have also been identified as suspects in this probe. Formal charges have not yet been filed.
The investigation is part of a broader anti-corruption effort by Ukrainian authorities. A separate, unrelated probe is investigating an alleged $100 million corruption scheme in the energy sector. This case involves allegations against Tymur Mindich, a former business partner of President Zelensky, who has reportedly left the country. In connection with this energy sector probe, two government ministers have resigned, and a former deputy prime minister has been implicated.
Officials confirmed that Yermak was not served a notice of suspicion during the search of his residence. Yermak’s spokesperson, Oleksii Tkachuk, stated that Yermak had not been informed of the specific details regarding the searches. Local media reported that investigators seized laptops and mobile phones from his apartment.
Yermak's Response and Resignation
Yermak confirmed the search of his apartment, located within the presidential compound in central Kyiv, via the messaging app Telegram. He stated he was offering "full co-operation" to the authorities and noted the presence of his legal representatives during the search.
Following the raid, Yermak resigned from his position as Chief of Staff. He declined to comment further pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Official Statements
President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged Yermak's service in a video address, stating, "I'm grateful to Andriy that Ukraine's position on the negotiating track was always presented as required: it was always a patriotic position." President Zelensky called for national unity, warning, "We risk losing everything: ourselves, Ukraine, our future." He announced plans to hold consultations the following day with potential candidates for a new chief of staff.
Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn stated it was "too early to assess the ongoing procedural actions." A NABU spokesperson declined to comment on the details of active investigations, citing legal restrictions.
Background on Andrii Yermak
Yermak, an intellectual property lawyer by training, met President Zelensky in 2011 and was appointed chief of staff following Zelensky's successful 2019 presidential campaign. He served in the role for over five years, overseeing diplomatic negotiations with Russia and the United States. He was widely regarded as a central figure in Ukraine's strategic response to the full-scale conflict with Russia.
Several individuals associated with Yermak and the presidential office have previously been subjects of investigations. Two of Yermak's former deputies, Oleh Tatarov and Rostyslav Shurma, resigned from the government in 2024 following investigations into alleged financial wrongdoing. A third deputy, Andrii Smyrnov, remains employed despite being investigated for alleged bribes and other activities.
Broader Context
This development occurs amid continued focus on anti-corruption measures in Ukraine. The European Union has emphasized that robust anti-corruption efforts are central to Ukraine's accession process. Guillaume Mercier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated that the developments demonstrate the functionality of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies.