Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Corruption Investigations in Ukraine
Andrey Yermak’s resignation came just hours after Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities carried out searches at his residence and office as part of Operation Midas.
Before his resignation, President Zelensky kept Yermak in his post despite calls for his dismissal from members of parliament, even appointing him to lead negotiations with the United States. Photo: EFE.
November 28, 2025 Hour: 4:00 pm
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday, November 28, the resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, his right-hand man, amid anti-corruption investigations affecting the president’s inner circle.
The resignation was confirmed by Zelensky himself in a video message posted on his social media accounts, in which he thanked Yermak for his work in “presenting the Ukrainian position in the negotiations in the best possible light.”
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Yermak’s departure comes just hours after the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) of Ukraine and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) conducted raids on his residence and office as part of Operation Midas.
The operation, launched on November 10, aims to dismantle a criminal network that allegedly embezzled and laundered nearly $100 million in the energy sector, particularly at the state-owned company.
The investigation has focused on the collection of illegal commissions of between 10 and 15 percent from contractors. Authorities have already charged seven members of the network, including Timur Mindich, a businessman known as Zelensky’s “wallet” and the alleged mastermind of the scheme, who fled to Israel before the searches against him began.
The scandal has triggered a political crisis and led to the removal of high-ranking officials in recent weeks. Previously, Parliament dismissed the former Ministers of Justice (Gherman Galushchenko) and Energy (Svetlana Grinchuk) for their alleged involvement in the scheme.
NABU has documented the criminal organization’s activities with more than 1,000 hours of audio recordings and has released photographs of bundles of euros seized during the raids. Although the investigation has not identified the now-former chief of staff in the voice messages, MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak suggested that he might appear as “Ali Baba” in the recordings.
Before his resignation, Zelensky kept Yermak in his post despite calls for his dismissal from MPs, even appointing him to lead negotiations with the United States. This support was seen as a maneuver to shield him from the investigation.
Meanwhile, the president announced that he will hold consultations on Saturday, November 29, to appoint Andrey Yermak’s successor.
Author: HGV
Source: Agencias
