Volodymyr Zelensky’s former chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has announced he will head to the front line to fight against Russia, just hours after resigning from his post amid an intensifying corruption investigation, Stuff has reported.
According to a report by Stuff, Yermak, considered the Ukrainian president’s closest confidant, reportedly sent a message to an American journalist declaring: “I am going to the front and am prepared for any reprisals.” He also apologised if he would no longer be able to answer her calls.
His resignation late Friday followed growing political pressure after anti-corruption officers raided his home as part of a £76 million (NZ$175 million) embezzlement probe involving Ukraine’s energy sector. Although he has not been officially named a suspect, he firmly denies any wrongdoing.
Speaking to the New York Post’s Caitlin Doornbos, Yermak said: “I’ve been desecrated, and my dignity hasn’t been protected. I don’t want to create problems for Zelensky; I’m going to the front.”
The development marks a dramatic fall from grace for a figure once expected to travel to the US this weekend to help spearhead peace plan negotiations. Critics have long accused Yermak of consolidating excessive power, suppressing political opponents, and wielding undue influence over the president.
The corruption probe, which has been underway for 15 months, centres on alleged financial misconduct within Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear power plant operator. Investigators say they uncovered evidence of officials skimming millions through 10–15 per cent kickbacks on contracts.
Several individuals close to the president were implicated, including former business partner Timur Mindich; Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk; and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko. Both Hrynchuk and Halushchenko resigned following the revelations, The Telegraph has reported.
Officials maintain that President Zelensky was unaware of the alleged scheme, though the political proximity of those involved threatens to undermine his standing at a critical moment in the war.
During the summer, Yermak was also linked to a controversial attempt to weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, sparking public protests and international criticism.
Announcing Yermak’s departure on Friday evening, Zelensky thanked his long-time ally and said consultations for his replacement would begin on Saturday. Yermak, who is unmarried and has no children, voiced his frustration over the political backlash, saying: “I’m disgusted by the filth directed at me, and even more disgusted by the lack of support from those who know the truth,” The Telegraph has quoted.
Top contenders for his former role reportedly include Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Kyrylo Budanov, head of military intelligence. Zelensky is expected to frame the leadership change as part of a wider effort to revitalise his wartime administration and strengthen public unity amid sensitive negotiations to end the conflict.
As Ukraine prepared for key talks with Washington, now to be led by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the country’s security and defence council, Russia launched a massive nine-hour combined missile and drone attack on Kyiv. At least two people were killed, and several districts suffered heavy damage, leaving parts of the capital without electricity and water.
Meanwhile, two sanctioned oil tankers associated with Russia’s shadow fleet caught fire in the Black Sea near the Bosphorus Strait after what authorities described as “external interference.” A senior Turkish official suggested they may have been struck by mines, drones, or missiles. Both Moscow and Kyiv have declined to comment on the situation, Stuff has reported.
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