Anti-corruption teams targeted the home and office of Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This adds an unwelcome layer of complexity for officials in Kyiv, already grappling with Russian hostility and trying to get U.S. officials to take their peace proposal seriously.
Two Ukrainian state agencies dedicated to combating corruption confirmed the raids on Yermak’s office. Yermak, a pivotal figure in negotiations with the U.S., noted that investigators also searched his apartment.
“Investigators face no obstacles,” he shared via the messaging app Telegram, emphasizing his full cooperation and the presence of his legal counsel.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office serve as Ukraine’s oversight bodies, currently engaged in a significant investigation tied to a $100 million corruption case in the energy sector, involving high-ranking officials.
Two former aides to Yermak, Oleh Tatarov and Rostislav Shulma, left their positions in 2024 under scrutiny for financial misconduct. There’s also Andriy Smirnov, another deputy who has been investigated for potential bribery, but he remains on Yermak’s team.
This scandal complicates matters for President Zelensky, who is relying on sustained Western support for the ongoing conflict and looking to secure foreign aid. The European Union, which Ukraine aims to join, has insisted that Zelensky address corruption issues head-on.
Earlier this month, Zelensky faced significant pushback from his own members of parliament after the details of the investigation into the energy sector were made public.
While Yermak hasn’t been accused of any legal wrongdoing, several senior figures in Zelensky’s party have suggested he must be held accountable for the fallout in order to rebuild public confidence. Some are even concerned that if he isn’t dismissed, it could lead to a split in the party, jeopardizing the president’s standing in parliament. Yet, Zelensky has resisted their calls.
In a bid to rally unity, Zelensky urged Ukrainians to “stop political gamesmanship,” especially under U.S. pressure to ease tensions with Russia.
Yermak and Zelensky’s relationship dates back over 15 years, originating in the television production scene when Yermak was a lawyer and Zelensky was still a popular comedian and actor.
He was part of Zelensky’s early presidential team handling foreign affairs and was elevated to chief of staff in February 2020.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Yermak has accompanied Zelensky on every official trip abroad, solidifying a sense of trust that has made his position appear nearly unassailable.
Within Ukraine, he’s often seen as Zelensky’s gatekeeper and is believed to have played a pivotal role in selecting key appointments throughout the government, including the prime minister and various ministers.
Thus far, investigations have also encompassed individuals linked to Yermak and the presidential office.
