Zelensky’s Most Powerful Aide Andriy Yermak Resigns Following Anti-Corruption Raid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his powerful chief of staff and long-time confidant, Andriy Yermak, on Friday, November 28, 2025, just hours after anti-corruption investigators conducted an unprecedented raid on his official residence inside the highly secure presidential compound in Kyiv. The departure of the aide, who was often described as the second-most powerful man in Ukraine, comes at a time of acute diplomatic and political turmoil for Kyiv as it faces mounting pressure from the United States to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
The searches were carried out by Ukraine’s two main anti-corruption bodies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). While investigators did not immediately disclose the specific reason for the raid, it is widely reported to be connected to a sweeping $100 million corruption scandal that has embroiled top officials in Ukraine’s critical energy sector. Mr. Yermak, who served as Ukraine’s lead negotiator in recent sensitive peace talks with the U.S., confirmed the searches and publicly stated that he was fully cooperating with investigators, noting that they faced “no obstacles” at his apartment.
President Zelenskyy accepted the resignation in a late-afternoon video address, stating that he was initiating a “reset” of the presidential office. In a clear acknowledgment of the political controversy surrounding his ally, the President said that “to preserve our internal strength, there must be no reasons to be distracted at anything else except for defense of Ukraine.” He stressed the importance of unity, warning that Russia was waiting for Ukraine to “make mistakes.” Though Mr. Yermak has not been served a notice of suspicion and is not formally a suspect in the wider corruption probe, his resignation follows public pressure from lawmakers within Zelenskyy’s own party, who argued he must take political responsibility to restore public trust amid the ongoing energy scandal.
The abrupt departure of his most trusted and influential aide leaves President Zelenskyy vulnerable, forcing him to seek a successor while simultaneously trying to manage domestic political fallout and prepare for the next critical round of negotiations with the U.S. regarding a potential peace settlement with Moscow.
