Ukraine's Former Presidential Chief of Staff Investigated for Alleged Money Laundering in Luxury Villa Project
Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities have issued notices to former Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and five others in connection with an alleged money laundering scheme involving a luxury villa development project valued at approximately NT$32.8 million (US$1 million). The investigation, led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), is ongoing.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 21:50
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Kyiv, May 12 (CNA) -- Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities issued notices yesterday and today to former Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and five other individuals, accusing them of involvement in a money laundering case related to a luxury villa construction project worth approximately NT$32.8 million. An advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that this development "is not surprising."
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) released a YouTube video on May 11, approximately 18 minutes long, with investigation department head Pavlo Yershov explaining the case.
According to the investigation, Oleksii Chernyshov, then Minister of Community and Territorial Development, and his wife purchased over 8 hectares of land in Kyiv Oblast in 2020 to develop a luxury residential project named "Dynasty." The project includes four luxury villas and club facilities, with an estimated total value of at least US$6 million (approximately NT$189 million).
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) cited by Ukrainian media outlet UNN stated that Chernyshov invited several influential figures in politics and business to invest in the project and become neighbors, including Andriy Yermak and some business figures. To conceal their identities, the investors were referred to as R1 to R4 in the documents.
Investigation data shows that the majority of the project's funding sources are linked to other corruption cases, including a US$100 million corruption case in the Ministry of Energy exposed last year involving Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Company Energoatom, and the "whitening" of funds for villa construction through shell construction companies and falsified accounting records.
Investigations indicate that the involved parties laundered at least 46 million Ukrainian Hryvnia (approximately NT$32.8 million) through this construction project between 2021 and 2025.
The NABU video stated that prosecutors have issued a notice of suspicion to Yermak under Article 209 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, and the pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The other individuals involved include a businessman implicated in the Ministry of Energy corruption case and four others.
Yermak's lawyer stated that his client has not violated any laws.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to President Zelenskyy, responded to media inquiries by saying that the relevant cases have been circulating in the media and public for some time, so he was "not surprised" by the issuance of the notices of suspicion. He emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and it is not appropriate to draw premature conclusions.
Ukraine was rocked by a corruption case involving approximately US$100 million in the Ministry of Energy last November, leading to the resignation of two ministers and sanctions against an individual considered a close confidant of Zelenskyy. Subsequently, Yermak resigned as Presidential Chief of Staff, marking one of the largest personnel changes in the Ukrainian government since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) released a YouTube video on May 11, approximately 18 minutes long, with investigation department head Pavlo Yershov explaining the case.
According to the investigation, Oleksii Chernyshov, then Minister of Community and Territorial Development, and his wife purchased over 8 hectares of land in Kyiv Oblast in 2020 to develop a luxury residential project named "Dynasty." The project includes four luxury villas and club facilities, with an estimated total value of at least US$6 million (approximately NT$189 million).
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) cited by Ukrainian media outlet UNN stated that Chernyshov invited several influential figures in politics and business to invest in the project and become neighbors, including Andriy Yermak and some business figures. To conceal their identities, the investors were referred to as R1 to R4 in the documents.
Investigation data shows that the majority of the project's funding sources are linked to other corruption cases, including a US$100 million corruption case in the Ministry of Energy exposed last year involving Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Company Energoatom, and the "whitening" of funds for villa construction through shell construction companies and falsified accounting records.
Investigations indicate that the involved parties laundered at least 46 million Ukrainian Hryvnia (approximately NT$32.8 million) through this construction project between 2021 and 2025.
The NABU video stated that prosecutors have issued a notice of suspicion to Yermak under Article 209 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, and the pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The other individuals involved include a businessman implicated in the Ministry of Energy corruption case and four others.
Yermak's lawyer stated that his client has not violated any laws.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to President Zelenskyy, responded to media inquiries by saying that the relevant cases have been circulating in the media and public for some time, so he was "not surprised" by the issuance of the notices of suspicion. He emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and it is not appropriate to draw premature conclusions.
Ukraine was rocked by a corruption case involving approximately US$100 million in the Ministry of Energy last November, leading to the resignation of two ministers and sanctions against an individual considered a close confidant of Zelenskyy. Subsequently, Yermak resigned as Presidential Chief of Staff, marking one of the largest personnel changes in the Ukrainian government since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
FAQ
Who is the former Presidential Chief of Staff under investigation?
The former Presidential Chief of Staff under investigation is Andriy Yermak. He resigned last year following a corruption scandal involving the Ministry of Energy.
What is the "Dynasty" project?
The "Dynasty" project is a luxury residential development in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, which includes four luxury villas and club facilities, with an estimated total value of at least US$6 million.
What is the alleged amount laundered in this case?
The alleged amount laundered is at least 46 million Ukrainian Hryvnia, equivalent to approximately NT$32.8 million.
What is the connection to other corruption cases?
The investigation suggests that the funds used for the villa construction were largely sourced from other corruption cases, including a US$100 million case involving Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Company Energoatom and the Ministry of Energy.