Ukraine Anti-Corruption Court Orders Arrest of Andriy Yermak Amid Escalating Conflict

Ukraine’s anti-corruption court ordered the arrest of Andriy Yermak, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Thursday. Yermak, the former head of the presidential administration, faces money-laundering charges. The court set bail at 140 million hryvnias ($3.19 million), which allows for his release pending a final decision. Yermak has denied these allegations.

Yermak stated, “I don’t have that kind of money, and my lawyer will now work with friends and acquaintances to raise the money for bail.” He plans to appeal the court’s decision and pursue all legal channels for justice.

Authorities identified Yermak as a suspect in a large corruption probe, marking the closest anti-corruption efforts have reached into the president’s inner circle. Official statements from anti-graft agencies accuse Yermak of involvement in laundering approximately $10.5 million through a luxury housing project near Kyiv.

Yermak was perceived as Ukraine’s second most powerful figure after Zelenskyy, exerting considerable influence despite lacking an elected position.

He frequently appeared alongside Zelenskyy at public events and was a key negotiator in peace discussions with Russia. Yermak stepped down last year amid a governmental reshuffle to restore public trust in the president’s administration.

While the charges might not threaten Zelenskyy’s current position, they could damage his reputation if he seeks re-election. Prosecutors clarified that Zelenskyy is not implicated in the case. The president’s office has yet to respond to the court’s ruling.

Meanwhile, amid escalating military tensions, Kyiv faced a barrage of Russian attacks using drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Ukrainian authorities reported at least five deaths and several injuries from the strikes. President Zelenskyy commented that an entire section of a residential building in Kyiv was destroyed, sharing images of rescue workers searching for survivors. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed that eleven people had been rescued.

President Zelenskyy noted, “In total, since midnight yesterday, Russia has used more than 1,560 drones against our cities and communities.” These ongoing attacks question the notion that the war’s end is near. Russia’s defense ministry stated they targeted military infrastructure but ignored the residential damage in Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at a possible end to the invasion, but the Kremlin clarified further steps remain before reaching a peace deal. Putin plans to deploy the Sarmat missile by year-end, maintaining a belligerent stance.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Russia’s aggression, especially during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China, signals a refusal to halt hostilities. Sybiha urged that pressure on Moscow is essential, saying the U.S. and China can compel Putin to cease the conflict.