Andriy Yermak, who served as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff until earlier this year, was released from custody on Monday after posting a €2.7 million bail. The payment came four days after his detention as part of a sweeping anti-corruption investigation that has gripped Ukraine's political establishment.
Yermak had publicly stated on 13 May that he could not afford the bail himself and would rely on contributions from friends. The funds were reportedly pooled from multiple sources, though the identities of those who contributed have not been disclosed.
Alleged Scheme Tied to State Nuclear Funds
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) allege that between 2021 and 2025, approximately €9 million was laundered through the construction of a high-end residential complex in Kozyn, an affluent suburb south of Kyiv. The money is said to have been siphoned from the state nuclear energy monopoly Enerhoatom.
Prosecutors claim the group planned to build four private mansions, each roughly 1,000 square metres, along with a shared wellness centre featuring a spa and swimming pool. One of the houses was allegedly intended for Yermak himself. The estimated cost of each property runs into millions of dollars.
If convicted, Yermak faces up to 12 years in prison. He and his lawyer have denied any wrongdoing, describing the charges as unfounded. Yermak has vowed to appeal the court's ruling.
The case has drawn attention to Ukraine's ongoing struggle with corruption, even as the country fights a full-scale war with Russia. Zelenskyy was elected in 2019 on a promise to root out graft, and his administration has pursued several high-profile investigations. However, critics argue that progress remains uneven.
This is not the first time Yermak has faced scrutiny. In 2020, he was implicated in a separate controversy over alleged interference in US-Ukraine relations, though no charges were filed. The current probe marks the most serious legal threat to a former senior official in Zelenskyy's inner circle.
For more on Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts, see our earlier coverage: Ukraine's Ex-Presidential Chief of Staff Detained in €9 Million Graft Case and Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Bureau Clears Zelenskyy in €9 Million Laundering Case.
The investigation continues, with NABU and SAP expected to present further evidence in the coming weeks. The case underscores the delicate balance between wartime unity and the imperative of accountability in Ukraine.
