Trial of Zelenskyy's former aide could be used in hybrid war against Ukraine, EU Ambassador says
Photo: EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The trial of former Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak could be used in hybrid warfare against Ukraine, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová told reporters.
"The fact that a former head of the Presidential Office has appeared before the High Anti-Corruption Court shows that anti-corruption institutions are functioning," she said.
At the same time, Mathernová stressed that this is happening during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"So I am sure that, unfortunately, this fact will be used in hybrid warfare, and some will see it as proof that corruption is essentially part of the system. Those who understand reforms, analyze the situation, and know the context here will view it as evidence that the institutions are probably resilient, mature, and capable of functioning. That is certainly how I see it," the EU Ambassador noted.
The Yermak trial
On May 11, Ukraine’s NABU and SAPO anti-corruption agencies announced charges against former head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak.
Investigators link Yermak to an organized group allegedly involved in laundering 460 million hryvnias. The case materials also mention former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov and businessman Tymur Mindich.
According to NABU and SAPO, the funds were obtained through corruption schemes in the energy sector and directed toward the construction of the elite Dynasty cottage complex in Kozyn near Kyiv.
According to the investigation, Yermak, referred to in the case files under the aliases Surgeon or Andriy, is believed to be the beneficiary of one or two mansions, each covering around 1,000 square meters.
Documents related to alleged personnel appointments within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) were also found during searches.
In addition, investigators are examining the role of the suspect’s father, who may have been involved in the project between 2020 and 2022.
Court hearings in the case began yesterday, May 12, and are continuing today.
Yermak himself described the charges against him as groundless.
The investigation has been ongoing since November 2025, when the first searches were carried out at Yermak’s home. Following those events, he stepped down as head of the Presidential Office.
