Ukraine Anti-Corruption Agencies Name Andriy Yermak Suspect in 460-Million-Hryvnia Money-Laundering Probe

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies named Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, as an official suspect in a major graft investigation tied to an alleged money-laundering scheme.

“Former head of the Office of the President of UkraineAndriy Yermakhas been notified of suspicion in a case concerning the alleged legalisation of UAH 460 million through an elite residential construction project near Kyiv, according to Ukraine’sNational Anti-Corruption Bureauand Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office”

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The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said Yermak is suspected of involvement in laundering 460-million-hryvnia ($10.5 million) through construction projects near Kyiv, and investigators said the probe is ongoing.

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The move came after Yermak resigned in November, and the investigation was described as a step short of formally charging him.

Zelenskyy made no public comment, but his press officer Dmytro Lytvyn said, “the investigation is ongoing, it’s early to draw conclusions.”

Investigators said they searched Yermak’s home in November, and they did not name any other suspects.

Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies expanded the same money-laundering investigation by naming six additional suspects on Tuesday, May 12, in a case linked to luxury real estate near Kyiv.

The Kyiv Post said the case involves former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and businessman Tymur Mindich, and it reported that Yermak was formally notified of suspicion in the same matter.

Kyiv Post

Investigators described the scheme as running between 2021 and 2025 and centering on a luxury cottage complex called “Dynasty” in Kozyn, a wealthy suburb south of Kyiv.

The Kyiv Post said the project included four private residences and a shared spa area built on an 8-hectare (20-acre) site, with participants allegedly using coded labels such as R1, R2, R3, and R4.

In a separate account, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty quoted the agencies’ statement that “NABU and SAPO exposed an organized group involved in the legalization of 460 million hryvnia ($11 million) in luxury construction near Kyiv.”

As the investigation progressed, Politico.eu said Ukrainian state anti-corruption watchdogs officially charged Andriy Yermak with corruption and money laundering, describing the alleged laundering of UAH 460 million on elite construction near Kyiv.

“Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have named former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak as a suspect in a major corruption investigation linked to an alleged money laundering scheme involving an elite housing development near Kyiv”

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Politico.eu also reported that NABU said the latest charges relate to the so-called Midas operation at Ukraine’s state Energoatom energy company, and it said the probe touched other Zelenskyy associates including Timur Mindich and Oleksiy Chenyshov.

Yermak denied owning mansions and told journalists in Kyiv, “I have no mansions, I have only a flat and a car that you see.”

The Kyiv Independent reported that SAPO said the chief of staff in question was Yermak, and it said law enforcement alleged that more than Hr 460 million ($8.9 million) was funneled through the project using shell companies, cash transactions, and fictitious financial documents.

Dmytro Lytvyn told journalists that “it is too early to assess the ongoing procedural actions,” as the case unfolded during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.