Ukraine’s anti-corruption court on Thursday ordered the arrest of Andriy Yermak, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former head of his administration, on money-laundering charges.
The court also set bail at 140 million hryvnias ($3.19 million), which would allow Yermak, who has denied the allegations against him, to be released pending a final ruling in his case.
“I don’t have that kind of money, and my lawyer will now work with friends and acquaintances to raise the money for bail,” Yermak told reporters after the court’s decision.
“My legal team will file an appeal. We will use every legal avenue to seek justice and the truth.”
Yermak’s arrest marks the closest that anti-corruption officials have come to the president’s inner circle since the war began, a significant moment for Ukraine’s judicial institutions.
In a statement, Ukraine’s anti-graft agencies said Yermak is suspected of participating in a criminal group that laundered around $10.5 million through an elite housing development outside the capital Kyiv.
Shadow Over Zelenskyy
Yermak was widely seen as Ukraine’s second most powerful person after Zelenskyy, wielding oversized influence across much of Ukrainian politics despite holding an unelected position.
His influence extended well beyond formal boundaries, shaping policy decisions and diplomatic engagements at the highest levels of government.
The former film producer and entertainment lawyer frequently appeared at the president’s side at public events and had also been Kyiv’s lead negotiator in U.S.-backed peace talks with Russia.
His resignation last year came amid a broader government shake-up aimed at restoring trust in the president’s office, which has been shadowed by persistent allegations of centralised power and opaque decision-making.
Charges against Yermak are not likely to pose an immediate threat to Zelenskyy but could lead to longer-term reputational damage if he runs for re-election after the war.
Analysts note how Kyiv handles this case will be closely watched by Western allies who have conditioned continued support on meaningful anti-corruption reform.
(with inputs from Reuters)
