Andrii Yermak, the former head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, is no longer under the protection of the State Guard Department (UDO), according to a statement from the agency in response to a request from Radio Svoboda.
The UDO clarified, “State protection for Yermak is not being provided by the State Guard Department of Ukraine.” This announcement follows reports that Yermak has been leading a reclusive lifestyle since his resignation.
On February 6, investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach from the publication Ukrainska Pravda reported that Yermak has maintained contact with certain high-ranking officials despite his withdrawal from public life. Tkach encountered Yermak in Kyiv and attempted to inquire about his current activities, but Yermak declined to comment.
The investigation titled “Godfather on the Sidelines” highlights Yermak’s meetings with Alexander Kamyshin, a presidential advisor on strategic issues, and Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Following these revelations, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak from the Holos party claimed to have identified individuals accompanying Yermak, asserting that they were UDO employees.
Related: Former Head of the Presidential Office Yermak Resumes Right to Practice Law
In November 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Yermak’s resignation amid an ongoing investigation. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau confirmed on the morning of November 28 that it was conducting investigative actions involving the head of the Presidential Office, although specific details were not disclosed.
After his resignation and the search of his office, Yermak stated his intention to go to the front lines and expressed readiness for any consequences, asserting his integrity and honesty.
Prior to this, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak mentioned that recordings from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), known as the “Mindycha Tapes,” identified Yermak by the codename “Ali Baba.”
Related: Zelensky Removes Yermak from the National Security and Defense Council
Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Oleksandr Klymenko confirmed the existence of an individual with that codename in the recordings, stating that “Ali Baba” was involved in directing efforts to target NABU detectives and may also have been linked to attempts to undermine the independence of the National Bank of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in July 2025, which were thwarted by what Klymenko referred to as “cardboard protests.”
As of January 15, according to NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, Yermak does not hold the status of a suspect.
Andrii Yermak, former head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, is no longer under state protection following his resignation amid ongoing investigations. Reports indicate he has been leading a private life while maintaining some connections with high-ranking officials.