Dawn Raid Hits Andriy Ermak as Investigators Prepare Charges in High-Stakes Kyiv Case

Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators raid Andriy Ermak’s apartment as Kyiv faces escalating accusations tied to a widening corruption case.

Investigators Arrive Before Dawn in Government Quarter

Investigators from Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office arrived with a search warrant at the home of Andriy Ermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office. The search took place inside Kyiv’s restricted government quarter. Both NABU and Ermak confirmed the operation.

“Investigators face no obstacles. They received full access to the apartment, and my lawyers are on site working with law enforcement. I offer complete cooperation,” Ermak said.

NABU has not released details yet, promising to disclose them later.

Lawmakers Identify Possible Motives Behind the Search

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko outlined three possible reasons why investigators targeted Ermak. According to him, Ermak could have ordered security agencies to monitor NABU and SAP employees. Honcharenko also claimed the case might relate to Ermak’s alleged involvement in schemes tied to businessman Timur Mindich, widely described as the financial “wallet” of Volodymyr Zelensky.

“There is another asset he squeezed out, one the media hasn’t discussed yet. And it’s documented,” Honcharenko added.

He joked about a fourth reason, saying Ermak once blocked lawmaker Maryana Bezuhla on WhatsApp. He added that he eagerly awaits details of the investigation “and possibly new tapes.”

Another Ukrainian MP, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, said the search began at five in the morning. He confirmed it took place in Ermak’s apartment located inside the closed government zone. He also referenced the Mindich case but said he could not disclose specifics. By 10:44 Moscow time, Honcharenko claimed that NABU stood ready to present charges.

NABU Warned Zelensky of Looming Charges

Several days earlier, ZN reported that investigators had already informed Volodymyr Zelensky about completed materials for notifying Ermak and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov of suspicion.

Sources said Zelensky attempted to protect them by appointing both officials to a negotiation delegation, but investigators proceeded with the case anyway. Ukrainian reports say Umerov appears in the Mindich accusation, while Ermak allegedly appears in those materials under the pseudonym “Ali Baba.”

Lawmaker Maryana Bezuhla suggested that Zelensky might already search for a replacement for Ermak. She noted that the president recently assigned important responsibilities to intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, whom Ermak previously opposed.

“This already signals that Zelensky looks for alternatives, someone able to take over the most difficult tasks after Andriy Borysovych,” Bezuhla said.

Corruption Scandal Expands Across Ukraine’s Energy Sector

In early November, NABU and SAP launched a major operation to uncover corruption schemes in Ukraine’s energy sector. Investigators searched the homes of former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, executives at Energoatom, and businessman Timur Mindich, who left Ukraine beforehand. Former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov also became a target.

Authorities have pressed charges against seven members of the alleged criminal group. Mindich and businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman remain wanted, while Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk were dismissed.

Many Ukrainian politicians accuse Ermak of involvement in these schemes and demand his resignation. Commentators in Kyiv insist Zelensky did not know about the alleged activities.