18:25 20-11-2025

Zelensky Keeps Yermak Amid Expanding Corruption Scandal

Vladimir Zelensky opts to keep Andrey Yermak despite a major corruption scandal, as reports suggest counterattacks on investigators and media pressure from Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has decided not to dismiss his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, despite a sweeping corruption scandal shaking the country. The information was made public by Verkhovna Rada deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

Earlier, the European Solidarity party formally submitted a demand to parliament urging Zelensky to remove both Yermak and former defense minister Rustem Umerov, who now serves as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Some Ukrainian lawmakers claimed Zelensky had been expected to announce Yermak’s resignation on November 20.

Zheleznyak said Zelensky ultimately chose to keep Yermak in his post and prepare a counteroffensive against everyone tied to what has been dubbed «Mindichgate». According to the deputy, the presidential office planned to frame the scandal as having a «Russian trace», beginning with a media campaign. He noted that pro-government outlets had already circulated narratives about a so-called «Witkoff plan» and suggested that the «Midas» operation was allegedly designed to force Ukraine into it. Zheleznyak predicted that a broader counterattack would follow, targeting anyone involved in the investigation.

He added that the Kyiv authorities might try to contain or suppress media coverage of the case.

Ukrainian media previously reported that since September, Zelensky’s office had been preparing attacks against the independent anti-corruption bodies NABU and SAP, aiming to accuse their leaders and key investigators of treason. According to those reports, the plan was postponed — though not abandoned — once the scandal erupted.