Kyiv6 minutes ago
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Chief of Staff Andrey Yermak is considered President Zelensky’s most powerful advisor.
Amid the ongoing war with Russia, anti-corruption agencies have raided the house of Ukraine’s second most powerful person and President Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Andrey Yermak. Investigative agencies have revealed corruption worth Rs 800 crore in Ukraine.
The National Anti-Corruption Agency of Ukraine (NABU) and SAP (Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office) have searched Yermak’s apartment.
The agencies said that this action has been taken with the permission of the court. However, so far Zelensky or Yermak have not been accused of any wrongdoing. Yermak is considered Zelensky’s most trusted advisor.
The Zelensky government has so far dismissed two ministers following the scandal. Many accused have been arrested. Timur Mindich, a prominent businessman and former Zelensky ally, has fled the country.
54-year-old Yermak said that he is fully cooperating in the investigation.
Misappropriation of government money in energy sector
Investigative agencies have claimed that a large network of taking bribes in exchange for work and embezzlement of government money has been busted in government energy companies. In this, the name of the country’s nuclear energy firm Energoatom has especially come to the fore.
It is alleged that officials used government money meant for power and energy projects for personal gain.
Ukraine’s electricity system was already in crisis before the Russian attacks. In many cities people are getting electricity only for a few hours a day. In such a situation, this scam has further increased the anger of the public.
Russia attacked Ukraine’s Naftogaz gas facility on 18 November. This facility was destroyed in this attack.
Pressure on Zelensky to take action increased
Yermak played the most important role in formulating Ukraine’s strategy during the war. Zelensky has given him the responsibility of talks with America, so that they can redraft America’s 28-point peace plan. Trump has made this plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
But the opposition is demanding Yermak’s resignation after the recent corruption scandal. Before this, Yermak’s associates have also been embroiled in controversies.
Yermak’s two former deputies, Oleh Tatarov and Rostislav Shurma, were ousted from the government in 2024 following an investigation into financial irregularities.
Both were accused of corruption and misuse. His third deputy, Andrey Smirnov, was also accused of taking bribes. An investigation was also conducted against him, but despite this he is still working with Yermak.
War, power crisis and now the Rs 800 crore scam have increased the pressure on Zelensky to take action.
Zelensky met Yermak 15 years ago
Yermak met Zelensky about 15 years ago. At that time Yermak was a lawyer and was entering the field of TV production. On the other hand, Zelensky was a famous Ukrainian comedian and actor.
After Zelensky became president in 2019, Yermak joined his team and took charge of foreign affairs.
In February 2020, Zelensky promoted him to become the Chief of Staff, i.e. the head of the President’s Office. Since then he has become one of the most influential faces in Ukrainian politics.
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