Breaking: Zelensky's former second-in-command, Yermak, charged in major corruption probe

Key Points:

• Andriy Yermak, former chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, has been charged with money laundering in connection with a $100 million corruption scheme involving the state nuclear monopoly Energoatom, according to Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
• The Energoatom investigation, the largest corruption probe during Zelensky's presidency, has already implicated nine suspects, including close associates of Zelensky and former government ministers, with allegations that funds were used to finance luxury homes near Kyiv, one of which was reportedly intended for Yermak.
• Yermak, who resigned in November 2025 amid the investigation, has denied owning any luxury properties, stating he only owns an apartment and a car, while Zelensky has not publicly commented on the charges against his former aide.
• The scandal has expanded beyond the energy sector to reportedly involve banking and defense industries, highlighting ongoing challenges for Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts amid political pressure and the broader context of the war with Russia.
• Yermak, once a powerful figure in Zelensky's administration and a key player in foreign policy and peace negotiations, was also linked to attempts to weaken Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, actions that sparked domestic and international backlash.