On Thursday, Ukraine’s anti-corruption court ordered the arrest of Andriy Yermak, a former close ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on charges of money laundering. Yermak previously served as the head of Zelenskyy’s administration. The court also set bail at 140 million hryvnias, equivalent to $3.19 million, allowing Yermak the possibility of release while awaiting a final verdict.
Yermak, denying the accusations, expressed his financial inability to post bail and stated that his legal team would appeal the court’s decision. “I don’t have that kind of money,” Yermak told reporters, mentioning that his lawyer would work with friends and acquaintances to raise the required amount. He emphasized his commitment to pursuing all legal means to prove his innocence.
Earlier in the week, Ukrainian authorities named Yermak as a suspect in a significant corruption investigation. His case marks the closest that anti-corruption efforts have come to President Zelenskyy’s inner circle. According to Ukraine’s anti-graft agencies, Yermak is suspected of participating in a criminal group involved in laundering approximately $10.5 million through a luxury housing development near Kyiv.
Yermak, once seen as the second most influential figure in Ukrainian politics after Zelenskyy, wielded substantial influence despite holding no elected office. A former film producer and entertainment lawyer, Yermak was a frequent figure at Zelenskyy’s side, appearing at public events and leading U.S.-backed peace negotiations with Russia.
He resigned last year amid a broader government reshuffle aimed at restoring public trust in the president’s office, which had faced allegations of centralized power. While the charges against Yermak pose no immediate threat to Zelenskyy, they could tarnish his reputation should he seek re-election after the war ends.
The prosecutors have clarified that Zelenskyy is not implicated in the charges. There was no immediate response from the president’s office regarding the court’s decision. The Kremlin dismissed the development as a problem for Kyiv, indicating it was not tracking the case.
The arrest occurred against a backdrop of intensified violence. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that hundreds of Russian drones and missiles targeted Kyiv and other regions. This is the first joint missile and drone attack since the brief U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended as peace talks have stalled amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Ukrainian authorities reported at least five fatalities and numerous injuries from the overnight strikes. In Kyiv, a residential building was partially destroyed, and images from the State Emergency Service depicted rescuers sifting through rubble for survivors. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitalii Klitschko stated that 11 people have been rescued.
“Since midnight, Russia has deployed more than 1,560 drones against our cities and communities,” Zelenskyy declared, criticizing these actions as inconsistent with a desire for the war’s conclusion.
Russia’s defense ministry admitted to a substantial strike, claiming it targeted military infrastructure, with no comments on the residential hit in Kyiv. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the war’s potential end, the Kremlin later mentioned that substantial work remains before any peace agreement is finalized. Putin stressed continued military readiness with plans for the Sarmat missile to be combat-ready by year-end.
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha remarked on Russia’s unwillingness to stop the conflict, arguing that only persistent pressure on Moscow could halt the aggression. He urged U.S. and Chinese leaders to exert influence over Putin to achieve peace.