The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) have initiated the investigation. In their communications on Telegram, they did not name Jermak, in accordance with Ukrainian regulations. However, a source familiar with the case confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that it involves Jermak. Other Ukrainian media outlets report similarly.
According to authorities, a group has been uncovered that is allegedly involved in laundering 460 million Hryvnias (almost nine million euros). The alleged crime is connected to a luxury construction project near Kyiv. One of the suspected individuals – the former head of the President's Office – has reportedly been informed of the suspicion.
Jermak himself commented shortly after the allegations became public. "I will speak out as soon as the investigations are completed," he said, according to the Kyiv Independent. He was a long-time confidant of Zelensky and was considered the second most important person in Ukraine. He resigned as chief of staff in November after the allegations and searches became known.
The background of the investigation is a corruption scandal involving the state nuclear company Energoatom. In November, anti-corruption investigators raised allegations against a group of allegedly corrupt civil servants. They are accused of misappropriating funds from Energoatom that were intended for protective structures against enemy airstrikes. The allegations have since expanded from the energy sector to the real estate sector.
Since Jermak's resignation, more details have emerged, raising questions about Zelensky's possible role as an accomplice.
