Zelensky's chief of staff set for front line after resigning over corruption scandal

"Andriy Yermak, the president's closest confidant, sent a message to an American journalist, saying: I am going to the front and am prepared for any reprisals. He apologised if he could no longer answer her calls. Mr Yermak resigned on Friday night after increasing political pressure came to a head when his home was raided by anti-corruption investigators in connection with a 76m embezzlement scandal in the energy sector."

"He denies wrongdoing and has not been officially named as a suspect, but told the New York Post's Caitlin Doornbos: I've been desecrated and my dignity hasn't been protected. I don't want to create problems for Zelensky; I'm going to the front. It is a remarkable fall from grace for the aide who was expected to be sent to the US this weekend to help lead peace plan negotiations."

"The 15-month investigation into Ukraine's Energoatom implicated several allies of the Ukrainian president, including Timur Mindich, his former business partner; Svitlana Hrynchuk, the energy minister; and Herman Halushchenko, the justice minister. Ms Hrynchuk and Mr Halushchenko quit their roles. Investigators had secretly recorded conversations between top officials, uncovering a scheme to skim 76m from Energoatom using kickbacks of 10-15 per cent on contracts. It is not clear how far back in time the scheme went."

Andriy Yermak resigned after investigators raided his home in connection with a 76m embezzlement scandal in the energy sector. He sent an American journalist a message saying he was going to the front and prepared for reprisals, apologising if he could no longer answer calls. He denies wrongdoing and has not been officially named a suspect, saying he has been desecrated and did not want to create problems for Zelensky. The 15-month investigation implicated several presidential allies, prompting the energy and justice ministers to quit. Investigators secretly recorded conversations revealing a scheme to skim 76m via 10–15% kickbacks on contracts. Yermak was also accused of attempting to undermine anti-corruption bodies, sparking protests and international condemnation, and his proximity to the scandal threatens Zelensky's legitimacy.

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