Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak Resigns Amid $100 Million Corruption Probe

Kyiv, Ukraine – Andriy Yermak, the influential chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resigned on Friday, November 28, 2025, hours after anti-corruption agencies raided his home. The departure comes amidst a spiraling $100 million alleged kickback scheme in the energy sector, marking a significant leadership change at a critical juncture for Ukraine. President Zelensky confirmed the resignation in a video address, stating, "Andriy Yermak, the head of the President's Office, has written a letter of resignation."

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) conducted the searches at Yermak's Kyiv apartment. While Yermak was not officially named as a suspect, the raid is linked to a broader investigation into an extensive scheme to embezzle funds and influence state-owned companies, including the state nuclear energy firm Enerhoatom. Yermak himself confirmed the raid on social media, assuring "full co-operation" with authorities.

Yermak, widely considered the second most powerful figure in Ukraine, has been a constant presence by Zelensky's side since the full-scale invasion in 2022, playing a crucial role in foreign policy and peace negotiations. His resignation complicates Ukraine's position in ongoing delicate peace talks with the United States, particularly as Kyiv seeks to amend a US-led draft peace plan seen as overly favorable to Russia. He had been leading the Ukrainian delegation in recent talks in Geneva.

The corruption scandal has already led to the dismissal of two cabinet ministers and has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers, including the European Union, which has emphasized strong anti-graft measures as a condition for Ukraine's EU membership. Zelensky, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, acknowledged the need for a "reboot" of the Presidential Office and announced he would begin consultations for Yermak's replacement on Saturday. The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, stated it was closely monitoring the situation, noting the growing "political uncertainty" caused by the scandal.