Ukraine is entering one of the most volatile phases of its wartime politics following the sudden resignation of Andrii Yermak, one of the country’s most powerful political figures and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s closest adviser.
The departure of the chief of staff — long regarded as the second-most influential man in Ukraine — comes after anti-corruption investigators raided his residence inside Kyiv’s presidential compound, escalating a crisis that has been building behind the scenes for months.
The raid, authorised by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), is part of a sweeping probe into an alleged $100 million corruption scheme in Ukraine’s strategic energy sector. Two government ministers have already resigned over the scandal, and one of Zelensky’s former business associates — believed to have orchestrated the kickbacks — has reportedly fled the country.
The search of Yermak’s secure residence marks the most direct challenge yet to Zelensky’s inner circle. For years, Yermak has been not just a senior adviser but the architect of Ukraine’s wartime diplomacy, its primary channel to Washington, and the president’s most loyal strategist. His exit signals a dramatic shift inside Ukrainian politics at a time when Kyiv can least afford instability.
A Raid That Sends Shockwaves Through Kyiv
The early morning operation at the presidential compound sent ripples across the Ukrainian government. From cabinet ministries to diplomatic missions, officials privately described the moment as a “political earthquake.”
Investigators searched both Yermak’s residence and, according to local media, parts of his office within the presidential complex. Though investigators did not immediately name him as a suspect, the symbolism of the raid was unmistakable: no official — not even the president’s right hand — is beyond scrutiny.
Zelensky announced Yermak’s resignation hours later, acknowledging that the government required a full “reset” to maintain public trust amid the ongoing war.
Why Yermak Matters?
Yermak’s outsize influence inside Ukraine’s leadership structure makes his departure even more consequential. Since 2019, he has controlled access to the president, shaped messaging to foreign governments, led sensitive negotiations with Washington, and served as the primary strategist behind Ukraine’s international outreach.
Many in Kyiv view Yermak as the unofficial “co-president,” the figure through whom nearly all wartime diplomatic decisions flowed. His sudden removal creates a vacuum within the administration — one that cannot be filled easily or quickly.
The newly restructured negotiating delegation with the United States notably excludes Yermak for the first time. Instead, the team will be led by military, diplomatic, and security officials, signaling a shift in how Kyiv intends to communicate with its most crucial ally.
A Government Under Heavy Strain
The scandal arrives at a moment when Ukraine is already under serious internal pressure. The war is entering its fourth winter, battlefield losses have multiplied, public exhaustion is rising, and Western funding has slowed dramatically.
Several European governments, according to diplomatic sources, have quietly raised concerns about corruption, governance, and wartime transparency in Ukraine. While they continue to support Kyiv militarily, the political space for unconditional support has narrowed.
Even within Zelensky’s own party, frustration has been growing. Lawmakers recently demanded greater accountability and openly questioned Yermak’s role in several key decisions. His resignation may calm some critics, but it also exposes deeper fractures within the ruling party.
Global Support Is Shifting
While Western governments have not publicly distanced themselves from Zelensky, recent diplomatic signals indicate a more cautious stance. European officials described the developments in Kyiv as “destabilizing” and “deeply concerning,” adding that Ukraine’s leadership must demonstrate renewed commitment to anti-corruption measures if it hopes to maintain support.
Behind closed doors, European capitals are already discussing a “post-Zelensky” scenario — not because a change is imminent, but because political uncertainty in Kyiv is becoming impossible to ignore.
The United States, meanwhile, has begun reassessing its communication channels as Ukrainian institutions take a more prominent role in negotiations previously conducted through Yermak.
Zelensky’s Most Difficult Crossroads
Yermak’s resignation leaves Zelensky more exposed politically than at any time since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Without his most trusted strategist, the president will face intensifying scrutiny over corruption allegations, wartime governance, stalled reforms, and military setbacks.
He must now navigate a series of difficult choices:
How far will investigations be allowed to go?
Will more members of his inner circle be implicated?
Can he restore public confidence without triggering a broader political crisis?
And how will Western partners respond if the scandal widens?
Zelensky could attempt a sweeping government reshuffle, seek a renewed mandate through elections, or consolidate his political authority. Each path carries risks — especially during wartime.
The Road Ahead for Ukraine
Ukraine’s internal political rupture has come at one of the worst possible times. The war continues to strain the country’s military and economy, while public trust in institutions has become increasingly fragile. The scandal surrounding Yermak represents more than a personnel issue — it has become a test of Ukraine’s ability to sustain transparency, stability, and unity during its most existential crisis.
Zelensky now enters a dangerous phase of his presidency. His ability to manage the fallout — and to demonstrate credible anti-corruption reforms — will shape not only his political survival but the stability of Ukraine’s wartime government.
The fall of Yermak is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new chapter in Ukraine’s political turbulence — one that will influence the country’s future, its partnerships abroad, and its path through a war that shows no sign of ending.
