Who Is Andriy Yermak? Ukraine Aide Faces Major Graft Probe

By Manisha Sahu, America News World
Date: November 28, 2025

Who is Andriy Yermak — and why is he now under the spotlight?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, once known as a film-producer and intellectual-property lawyer, has emerged over the years as one of the most powerful men in Kyiv. As head of the Presidential Office, Yermak has long been described as Zelenskyy’s closest confidant — often called the country’s de facto “number two,” and frequently at the center of political maneuvering in wartime Ukraine.

But today, that prominence carries a far heavier weight. Yermak finds himself caught up in a sweeping corruption investigation — one of the largest the country has seen in recent times — triggering a dramatic raid on his home and office by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, speaks to reporters at the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday, November 23, 2025. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

What triggered the probe — and what’s at stake

The investigation centers on alleged graft and kickbacks tied to the state nuclear energy company, Energoatom. Authorities suspect that contractors working for the state firm paid 10–15 % kickbacks as part of inflated contracts and money-laundering — a scandal reportedly involving more than US$100 million.

The probe — known under the codename Operation Midas — has reportedly compiled more than 1,000 hours of recorded conversations and wiretaps that allegedly implicate multiple high-level officials.

The alleged ringleader behind the scheme is Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelenskyy, who is now accused of orchestrating the kickback operations. Mindich is reported to have fled the country.

Although Yermak has not yet been formally named a suspect, his proximity to some of the accused — including Mindich — has triggered nationwide scrutiny. At least two of Yermak’s former deputies left their posts in 2024 after being investigated for financial wrongdoing.

The raid — what happened, and what Yermak says

On November 28, 2025, investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) carried out coordinated raids on Yermak’s home in Kyiv’s government district — and reportedly his office as well.

In a public statement on the messaging platform Telegram, Yermak wrote that investigators “are facing no obstacles,” that full access has been granted to his apartment, and that his lawyers are present. He said he will “fully cooperate” with the authorities.

As of now, the anti-corruption agencies emphasize that the search is part of an ongoing investigation, but they have not officially declared Yermak as a suspect.

Why this is a critical moment — politically and internationally

The scandal, already dubbed Ukraine’s biggest wartime corruption case, threatens to undermine public trust at a moment when the country is striving to maintain unity amid war and secure crucial foreign support.

His involvement — or even just the perception of association with the scandal — risks tarnishing the credibility of ongoing peace negotiations that Yermak himself has helped lead, including recent talks with U.S. officials.

Domestically, opposition lawmakers and even some members within Zelenskyy’s own political circle are now demanding Yermak’s dismissal — arguing that his presence in government could hamper the country’s anti-corruption efforts and damage Ukraine’s bid for EU accession.

On the other hand, supporters of Yermak — and allies of Zelenskyy — caution against a rushed dismissal unless clear evidence is produced, arguing that stability in the presidential office is essential during this precarious wartime period.

What’s next — and what to watch for

The anti-corruption agencies are likely to continue their search-and-investigation operations as part of Operation Midas, possibly publishing more tapes and naming additional suspects.

Political pressure may mount on Yermak. If evidence emerges tying him more directly to the scandal, calls for his resignation or dismissal could grow — potentially prompting major reshuffling in Zelenskyy’s inner circle.

International observers — especially EU and U.S. allies — will be watching closely. For Ukraine’s ambitions of deeper Western integration and long-term support in the war, proving real commitment to anti-corruption could remain vital.

For now, Yermak insists on cooperation, and no formal charges have been announced. The ultimate outcome remains uncertain — but the stakes are high not just for him, but for Ukraine’s political future.

In many ways, Andriy Yermak’s rise to power symbolized the consolidation of influence inside Kyiv’s presidential machinery — a wartime “czar” who shaped negotiations, appointments, and far-reaching decisions. Today, as the dust lifts on one of the gravest corruption scandals Ukraine has faced, that very power is under the microscope. What happens next could reshape not just Yermak’s career — but Ukraine’s trust in its leadership during a pivotal moment in its history.