Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has resigned amid an ongoing anticorruption investigation that has shaken Kyiv and raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies. The resignation comes hours after investigators searched Yermak’s apartment.

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Anticorruption Investigation and Searches

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the searches were authorized and part of a wide-ranging probe.

• The investigation involves an alleged $100 million kickback scheme at Energoatom, Ukraine’s state atomic energy company.
• Former senior officials and Tymur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelenskyy, are implicated. Mindich has reportedly fled the country.
• Two Ukrainian ministers have already resigned in connection with the scandal.

Yermak stated on social media that he was fully cooperating with investigators, with lawyers present during the searches.

“There are no obstacles for the investigators. They have been given full access to the apartment. From my side, there is full cooperation,” he wrote.

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Political Implications

Yermak, 54, has been Zelenskyy’s closest ally since 2019 and is considered one of the most powerful figures in Kyiv. Critics, however, have accused him of accumulating excessive influence, gatekeeping access to the president, and sidelining opposing voices.

• Yermak was leading Ukraine’s negotiations over a US-proposed plan to end the war with Russia, including talks in Geneva earlier this week.
• Opposition parties, including European Solidarity, criticized Yermak’s role and called for transparent consultations with other political factions.

Zelenskyy’s announcement emphasized national unity amid the crisis:

“Russia very much wants Ukraine to make mistakes. There will be no mistakes on our part. Our work continues.”

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Yermak’s Role in Ukraine

A former film producer and copyright lawyer, Yermak entered politics alongside Zelenskyy in 2019 and quickly became a pivotal figure.

• He has been nicknamed “vice president” due to his influence and close proximity to Zelenskyy.
• Yermak coordinated critical diplomatic efforts, including revising the US-backed war-ending plan.

Al Jazeera correspondent Rory Challands noted:

“Andriy Yermak is basically as close as you can get to President Zelenskyy without being President Zelenskyy himself… This couldn’t be more critical for Ukraine at the moment.”

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Ongoing Investigations

The anticorruption probe continues to investigate Energoatom and associated officials. Ukrainian authorities are also examining Yermak’s links to Tymur Mindich, who is believed to have orchestrated parts of the alleged scheme.

• Any criminal proceedings against Mindich are likely to proceed in absentia.
• The investigation has already prompted the resignation of two top ministers, signaling the scale of the political fallout.

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Key Takeaways

• Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, resigned amid a major corruption investigation.
• The probe involves an alleged $100 million kickback scheme at Energoatom.
• The investigation and resignations are affecting Ukraine’s war negotiations and political stability.
• Yermak has been a central figure in US-backed diplomatic talks and a close ally of Zelenskyy.
• Tymur Mindich, former business partner of Zelenskyy, is a key suspect and has fled the country.