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Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have searched the home of Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, marking a significant escalation in a major wartime corruption scandal that has shaken the country's leadership. The raid was conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) as part of a wider investigation into a sprawling embezzlement scheme within the nation's energy sector.
The probe centers on allegations that top officials orchestrated a plot to skim approximately $100 million from funds designated for building fortifications to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure from Russian missile and drone attacks. The scandal surfaced as Ukrainians face widespread power outages due to relentless Russian bombings, making the allegations of graft particularly sensitive. According to a report from European news outlet Politico, the criminal organization allegedly included current and former energy officials, government ministers, and prominent businessmen.
Among those implicated in the initial stages of the investigation is Timur Mindich, a businessman and former partner in Zelenskyy's television production company. The BBC reported that several high-profile figures, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, were allegedly involved. The political fallout has already been significant, prompting the resignations of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and the country's energy minister in an attempt to contain the crisis.
The search of Yermak's residence brings the investigation to the heart of the presidential administration. As Zelenskyy's top aide, Yermak is considered one of the most powerful figures in Kyiv, and this latest development places intense pressure on the government. The accusations against Zelenskyy’s close ally and the expanding probe represent a critical test for Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions and could impact the country's relationship with Western partners, who have conditioned financial and military aid on Kyiv's commitment to tackling graft.
