Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities have formally charged former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak in a large-scale money laundering investigation tied to the construction of luxury properties outside Kyiv. The case is already being described as one of the most significant corruption probes during President Volodymyr Zelensky's time in office.

The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced that investigators uncovered an organized scheme involving the laundering of more than Hr 460 million, or nearly $9 million, through an elite residential project near the capital. While SAPO's official statement did not directly name Yermak, a law enforcement source confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the former presidential aide is the senior official involved in the case.

According to investigators, the project envisioned the construction of four luxury mansions, each measuring around 1,000 square meters, along with a separate shared complex including a spa, gym, swimming pool, and wellness facilities. The estimated value of each residence reached several million dollars.

The investigation is closely connected to the broader corruption case surrounding the state energy company Energoatom, which authorities describe as the largest corruption investigation launched during Zelensky's presidency. Nine people have already been charged in that separate probe, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, former ministers, and businessman Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Zelensky.

Investigators allege that funds connected to the Energoatom scheme were redirected into the luxury housing development. One of the homes, according to law enforcement sources, was allegedly intended for Yermak himself.

NABU said the construction project operated through both officially documented financing and large amounts of undeclared cash. Authorities claim that shell companies, fictitious financial transactions, and intermediaries were used to conceal the true origin of the money. Detectives also allege that construction accelerated even after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, with work reportedly continuing in multiple shifts.

The anti-corruption agencies further claim that project participants later sought methods to legalize the money after media reports exposed the development. According to investigators, they discussed obtaining documents that would falsely confirm the legal origin of the funds.

As part of the probe, the High Anti-Corruption Court has already ordered the seizure of land plots and five unfinished construction sites linked to the project in Kozyn, near Kyiv.

Yermak has denied owning luxury homes. Speaking to Ukrainska Pravda after the charges became public, he stated, ?I do not own any house. I only have one apartment and one car.? Asked about alleged code names used in the investigation materials, he replied, ?My name is Andriy Yermak. I do not have any other name.?

President Zelensky has not publicly commented on the charges. Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said it was still too early to draw conclusions because investigative actions were continuing. ?This context has existed publicly for a long time, so there is nothing surprising about it,? he added.

Yermak resigned as head of the President's Office in November 2025 after earlier searches conducted by NABU and SAPO at his residence in Kyiv. He had long been considered one of the most powerful figures in Ukraine's political system and was widely viewed as Zelensky's closest adviser and gatekeeper.

Before entering politics, Yermak worked as a lawyer and film producer. During his years in the presidential administration, he became deeply involved in both domestic power struggles and international diplomacy, including contacts with U.S. officials regarding negotiations linked to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Sources:

• Ukrainska Pravda
• The Kyiv Indepedent
• RBC-Ukraine