Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau has conducted searches at the home and office of Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, as part of a broad corruption investigation connected to the state energy sector. The inquiry has caused significant political reverberations while coinciding with sensitive ongoing peace negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Officials Conduct Search
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau has confirmed that searches were authorised and are ongoing at the residence and offices of Andriy Yermak, who has served as President Zelensky’s chief of staff for over five years. These investigations unfold amid a wider corruption scandal connected to an alleged $100 million (£75 million) embezzlement scheme involving Ukraine’s energy sector, particularly linked to the state nuclear energy company Energoatom, according to reports by BBC News and Yahoo News journalists Sasha Vakulina and others.
NABU, together with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), has revealed that the probe—over 15 months in development—centres on bribery, kickbacks, and manipulation of state-owned enterprises. The investigation names businessman Timur Mindich, who had previously partnered with Zelensky in business, as the alleged orchestrator of the corruption scheme. President Zelensky has since imposed sanctions against Mindich, severing ties with him.
Political Impact and Timing
The searches targeting Yermak come at a particularly sensitive moment politically for Ukraine. U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to visit Kyiv imminently, as U.S. President Donald Trump advances a draft peace proposal aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. American officials are also scheduled to meet in Moscow the following week. These diplomatic efforts coincide with ongoing territorial disputes in eastern Ukraine, specifically related to the Donetsk region, which remains under Ukrainian control despite Russian military pressure.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently issued a stark warning that if Ukraine does not withdraw from the Donetsk territory, Russia would attempt to reclaim it “by force of arms.” Despite these threats, Yermak emphasised his and President Zelensky’s firm stance in peace talks, stating to The Atlantic shortly before the news of the searches broke,
“As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us relinquishing territory. He will not cede any land”.
Yermak’s Response and Role
In light of the searches and rising pressure, Andriy Yermak acknowledged the significant challenges he faces, stating that calls for his resignation are “immense.” He insisted on the necessity of an objective, independent investigation, free from political interference, underscoring the sensitivity of the case given his central role in peace negotiations and Ukraine’s response to the war with Russia.
Yermak’s position within Ukraine’s power structure is pivotal, having played a leading role in managing the country’s wartime strategies and diplomatic negotiations. His involvement in steering peace discussions highlights the delicacy of the situation, as the anti-corruption investigation threatens to overshadow these efforts.
Broader Corruption Scandal
The investigation has shaken Ukraine’s political landscape beyond Yermak’s direct involvement. It has already resulted in the resignation of two high-ranking government ministers. Additionally, some of Yermak’s former deputies have also faced scrutiny or have left government roles following investigations into alleged financial improprieties.
In response to this crisis, Ukraine has initiated a comprehensive audit of all state-owned enterprises aiming to root out corruption. NABU and SAPO maintain that their investigation has exposed a wide network of bribery and corruption, implicating multiple government officials and business figures.
Relations with Western Allies
This major anti-corruption probe coincides with increased diplomatic activity involving Ukraine’s Western allies who are actively engaged in supporting Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. The timing underscores the complexities facing the Zelensky administration, balancing internal governance challenges with external military and diplomatic pressures.
