Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies have named Andriy Yermak, the former chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as a suspect in a major corruption investigation. The case involves allegations of laundering approximately $10.5 million through an elite housing development outside Kyiv.
The agencies stated on Monday that the 'former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine' is suspected of participating in a criminal group that laundered the funds. While the statement did not name Yermak directly, in line with Ukrainian law, local media widely identified him. Yermak denied owning real estate in the development in comments to Radio Liberty but did not provide further details.
The investigation is part of a broader inquiry into high-level corruption that began last November. At that time, a former business partner of Zelenskyy was accused of running a $100 million kickback scheme at the state atomic agency, and a former deputy prime minister and close associate of the president was also charged.
Yermak, a former film producer and entertainment lawyer, was widely considered the second most powerful person in Ukraine after Zelenskyy. He served as the president's right-hand man and lead negotiator in US-backed peace talks with Russia, despite holding an unelected position. His resignation last year came during a broader government shake-up aimed at restoring trust in the president's office.
Zelenskyy's communications adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn, said it was too early to comment on the suspicion against Yermak, as procedural actions were still ongoing. The case adds pressure on the president's office at a sensitive time in the war with Russia.
