Andriy Yermak, the former head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, has been detained following accusations of involvement in a corruption scheme. On Monday, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) announced that Yermak is suspected of possessing property acquired through illicit means.
The investigation alleges that Yermak, businessman Timur Mindich, and former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov secretly organized the construction of an elite housing cooperative named “Dynasty” in Kozyn, a village in the Kyiv region. According to SAP, the construction was primarily funded through a money laundering operation linked to Mindich, which allegedly funneled funds gained from bribes in the energy sector.
Yermak has denied the charges, asserting that he has no connection to the “Dynasty” project. However, on May 14, the High Anti-Corruption Court placed him under arrest, allowing for bail set at 140 million hryvnias.
Details of the investigation reveal that on November 28, 2025, agents from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) executed a search warrant at Yermak’s residence. This occurred shortly after the public unveiling of Operation “Midas,” which exposed extensive corruption schemes in the energy sector, allegedly orchestrated by Mindich.
While NABU did not disclose the reasons for the search at that time, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced later that Yermak had submitted his resignation, aiming to revitalize the administration amid the corruption scandal. Reports indicated that Yermak’s dismissal was influenced by dissatisfaction within the government regarding his handling of the situation.
After Yermak’s resignation, NABU and SAP avoided confirming his involvement in the “Midas” case until April 11, when they publicly announced the charges against him. Prosecutor Valentina Grebenyuk read the charges near the Palace of Sports in Kyiv, where Yermak was known to frequent a gym.
During the hearings, Grebenyuk elaborated on the allegations against Yermak, focusing on the construction of the “Dynasty” cooperative. The project came under scrutiny following a July 2025 investigation by Bihus.info, which highlighted Chernyshov’s connections to the scheme. Chernyshov, a close associate of Zelensky, had previously faced allegations of bribery and lost his position as Deputy Prime Minister shortly before the investigation’s release.
Investigators found that the construction of the four luxury residences was funded through three main sources, including illicit funds from Mindich’s money laundering operation. The scheme reportedly funneled approximately 8.4 million dollars into the project, constituting 72 percent of the total funds tracked by detectives.
Yermak’s alleged involvement extends to the financing of the construction through a criminal organization led by Mindich. Prosecutors claim that Yermak facilitated the laundering of these funds, which were used to construct his residence within the cooperative.
In a dramatic turn of events, the prosecution also revealed that Yermak had allegedly exerted pressure on an expert evaluating the value of the unfinished properties. The expert reported receiving threats and attempts to breach her personal security, prompting NABU to open a separate investigation into the matter.
Yermak’s defense argues that the prosecution has not substantiated its claims, asserting that he has no ties to the cooperative or the alleged criminal activities. His attorney, Ihor Fomin, emphasized that the evidence presented does not clearly indicate Yermak’s involvement in financing or facilitating the construction.
As the case unfolds, Yermak remains adamant in his denial of any wrongdoing, stating that all his assets are declared and have been previously vetted by the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption.
Following the court’s decision to detain him, Yermak expressed his intention to appeal and seek the necessary funds for bail, stating, “I will use all legal means to seek justice and truth. Everything that has happened around this process has been under pressure for several months. The case is entirely empty.”
Andriy Yermak, former head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, has been detained on corruption charges related to a luxury housing project. The investigation alleges that he was involved in a scheme to launder money through illicit property acquisitions, which he denies.