Andriy Yermak, the powerful chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has resigned after anti-corruption agencies searched his apartment in Kyiv. The departure was announced by Zelenskyy in a social media video on Friday, who praised Yermak but emphasised the need to avoid distractions amid Ukraine's defence efforts.
The searches were part of a widening investigation into a nuclear energy kickback scandal allegedly involving Timur Mindich, an old friend and business partner of Zelenskyy from the Kvartal 95 TV production company. Mindich fled the country before investigators could arrest him. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sapo) confirmed they were conducting investigative actions at the president's office.
Yermak, a former intellectual property lawyer and film producer, had been a close ally of Zelenskyy since his acting days and played a key role in peace negotiations with the US. He submitted his resignation, and a successor will be sought from Saturday, with the president's office set to be reorganised.
Zelenskyy stated, 'I am grateful to Andriy for always representing Ukraine’s position in the negotiation track exactly as it should be. It has always been a patriotic position. But I want there to be no rumours or speculation.' Yermak confirmed the searches, saying investigators had full access to his apartment and that he was cooperating fully.
The scandal first emerged in November, involving alleged kickbacks of 10-15% from commercial partners of Energoatom, Ukraine's state-owned nuclear power generator. Two ministers have been fired, and the revelations have caused public outrage amid daily electricity blackouts due to Russian bombing.
