The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) typically does not disclose the name of suspects, but it is clear from context that the individual in question is Andrii Yermak. A investigating judge from the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS) has relaxed the movement restrictions imposed on Yermak, allowing him to travel within several regions, which he justified by his role in a legal assistance project for military personnel.
The conditions previously barring him from leaving Kyiv and Kyiv region without permission from a detective, prosecutor, or the court have been amended. Now, he is permitted to move freely within Kyiv, as well as the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions, with the option to transit through other areas.
Prosecutors opposed this request, asserting that Yermak’s prior obligations did not hinder his participation in the project where he serves as a leader rather than a legal advocate providing direct assistance.
Yermak’s defense team also sought to lift the requirement for him to wear an electronic monitoring device. However, the judge denied this request.
The defense’s petition was prompted by several letters from military unit commanders expressing support for Yermak, submitted to SAP and NABU, as indicated by officials at the specialized prosecutor’s office.
In their statement, Yermak’s defense noted that the court has broadened the regions where he can travel without separate permissions. They highlighted that this pertains primarily to areas where the National Association of Advocates of Ukraine, which he heads, is active.
Background Context
- Yermak led the Office of the President from February 2020 until November 2025. On November 28, amid a corruption scandal in the Ukrainian energy sector, NABU conducted searches at his residence. That same day, the head of the Office of the President submitted his resignation, which was accepted by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- On the evening of May 11, 2026, SAP notified Yermak of suspicion regarding his involvement in a money laundering case involving approximately 460 million UAH as part of an organized group. This case concerns the so-called “Dynasty” cooperative—a luxury cottage complex being built in Kozyn, Kyiv region, allegedly funded by illegally obtained money.
- On May 14, VAKS placed Yermak under arrest for 60 days with the possibility of bail set at 140 million UAH, while prosecutors sought his detention with bail set at 180 million UAH.
- Yermak was released from custody on May 18 after bail was posted through numerous transactions. The publication “GORDON” reported on the individuals who contributed to his bail.
- On July 16, media reported that Yermak had visited one of the frontline regions, where he met with the former commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
