The High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a preventive measure on former Head of the Office of the President Andrii Yermak in the form of two months in custody with the right to post bail of UAH 140 million. Otherwise — pre-trial detention.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) is monitoring the proceedings of the High Anti-Corruption Court regarding the former Head of the Presidential Office in the case concerning the alleged laundering of UAH 460 million spent on the construction of the “Dynasty” cottage complex. Part of these funds, according to the investigation, originated from schemes at Energoatom (the “Midas” case).
In our view, this case demonstrates not only the use of funds obtained through criminal means. The investigation materials also illustrate alarming trends that negatively affected the security and defence sector.
1. Among the materials presented in court are documents related to personnel decisions within the structure of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). If the investigation proves that these documents are authentic, and that Yermak was not merely interested in the structure as a private individual, this would mean that a shadow personnel mechanism exists within the state, including one connected to the defence sector.
2. Pressure on the anti-corruption infrastructure. According to the prosecution in the “Midas” case, a person under the codename “Ali Baba” (allegedly referring to Yermak) was connected to attempts to discredit NABU detectives and efforts to eliminate anti-corruption institutions in the summer of 2025.
Preserving the independence of NABU and SAPO is one of the foundations for maintaining the country’s defence capability during wartime. It is also a condition for continued support from partners.
3. Origin of the funds. According to the investigation’s version, part of the funds invested in the residences of the “Dynasty” cottage complex came from schemes at Energoatom. If this version is confirmed, it would mean that resources that should have been used to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure under Russian attacks likely ended up in private residences.
NAKO calls for:
- preserving the operational independence of NABU, SAPO, and HACC in this and other cases;
- bringing the “Dynasty” and “Midas” criminal proceedings to court verdicts for all individuals involved, regardless of their political influence and resources;
- an objective investigation into the actions of businessman Tymur Mindich and other individuals in episodes connected to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The fact that the most influential person in the country after the President of Ukraine ended up behind bars demonstrates that independent anti-corruption institutions are working, and that democracy functions, emphasized NAKO Executive Director Olena Tregub. “It is also striking that these mechanisms continue to function even during a full-scale war. While other countries are sliding into authoritarianism, this has not happened in Ukraine,” Tregub stressed.