12.05.2026 00:41
Ukrainian politics is shaken by corruption allegations against Andriy Yermak, known as President Zelenskyy's "right-hand man." As part of the "Operation Midas" investigation, linked to a bribery and money laundering network of approximately 100 million dollars, Yermak has been formally notified as a "suspect." The case alleges that illegal proceeds from energy tenders were funneled into luxury projects, bringing Zelenskyy's administration's anti-corruption efforts to a critical test.
Former Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, who has been shown as one of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's closest working associates for many years, has been included in the file with the status of "suspect" in the large-scale corruption investigation conducted in Ukraine. According to reports from Financial Times and Reuters, Yermak's name appears in the "Operation Midas" investigation, which is linked to a bribery and money laundering network of approximately $100 million.
OFFICIAL "NOTICE OF SUSPICION" ISSUED
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) announced that an official "notice of suspicion" has been issued to Andriy Yermak. While this step does not directly imply a conviction, it indicates that the investigation has moved into the official criminal process.
According to the Financial Times report, the investigation is based on a large-scale bribery network allegedly established around Ukraine's state energy company, Energoatom. The allegations suggest that illegal proceeds from energy infrastructure tenders were funneled into luxury housing projects.
$100 MILLION "OPERATION MIDAS"
The Ukrainian press alleged that the investigation, named "Operation Midas," uncovered a money trail of approximately $100 million. According to NABU, commissions and bribes received systematically were laundered through various companies.
Names of former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko are also mentioned in the investigation. Officials allege that some high-ranking individuals funneled money into ultra-luxury mansion projects built near Kyiv.
HIS HOME WAS RAIDED
Andriy Yermak's home had previously been raided as part of a corruption investigation. Reports in the international press stated that Yermak, known as Zelensky's "right-hand man," had become one of the central figures in the investigation.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian law prevented officials from naming individuals in their official statements, but local media and international sources reported that the suspect is Andriy Yermak.
POLITICAL DEBATE GROWS IN UKRAINE
The investigation has also raised political tensions in war-torn Ukraine. While the Zelensky administration sends messages of fighting corruption as part of the European Union membership process, the opposition and some Western circles are increasing pressure on the government.
On the other hand, so far there is no official accusation or evidence that Zelensky is directly involved in the investigation. However, the case reaching high-level figures around the presidency has caused a major stir in Ukrainian politics.