How Zelensky’s right-hand man fell from power

Andriy Yermak was a constant, looming presence in the government of Ukraine – a seemingly immovable figure on the political stage.

Despite his tall stature, you may not have always seen him. Nevertheless, wherever President Volodymyr Zelensky was, Yermak was often not far away.

As his chief of staff, Yermak had enormous power at the top of the government and was even trusted to negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf in peace talks with the US.

But as his influence grew, so did public resentment toward the power held by this unelected official. His political career ended suddenly on Friday, hours after anti-corruption investigators raided his home in Kiev.

Yermak and Zelensky first met in 2011 when Zelensky was an intellectual property lawyer and Zelensky was a TV producer.

Yermak became Zelensky’s chief of staff, after they worked together during his successful 2019 presidential campaign. He stood next to the President, delivering his famous “We’re still here” speech when the Russians descended on Kiev at the beginning of their full-scale invasion in February 2022.

As Zelensky concentrated his power over time, Yermak became widely viewed as the second most powerful man in Ukraine. He reportedly helped shape foreign policy, oust political rivals, and even make decisions on the battlefield.

Ukrainian politics is shaped by big characters, and Zelensky’s administration had not one, but two.

Despite the favorable conditions Yermak enjoyed within the vast presidential office, the same could not be said outside its steep walls.

His popularity was astonishing.

Zelensky had successfully battled corruption scandals in the past, but in July a series of events began that shook the current government to the core, weakening him politically and costing him his right hand.

That month, the president persuaded Parliament to formally remove the independence of Ukraine’s two anti-corruption bodies and bring them under direct government control.

At the time, Zelensky said it was to limit Russian interference.

But the public – as well as the European Union – disagreed, and he was forced to make a U-turn after mass demonstrations.

By autumn, the same agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), released the findings of a lengthy investigation that included members of Zelensky’s inner circles.

Senior figures – including two ministers, a former deputy prime minister and Zelensky’s one-time business partner – were accused of embezzling $100 million (£75 million) from public projects in the energy sector.

At a time when Russia is pounding Ukraine’s energy grid with missiles and drones ahead of a fourth winter of war – forcing the entire country to endure daily power outages – public anger over these corruption allegations has grown.

On Friday night alone, Kiev faced an almost 11-hour-long Russian airstrike, leaving more than half a million people without power.

“We are living through one of the most difficult times in our history,” Kiev resident Irina told the BBC this week. “Unfortunately, many families will not be able to see their loved ones, their men, brothers or husbands because of the war.”

Despite not being named as a suspect and denying any involvement in the plan, Andrey Yermak could not distance himself.

There was a suspicion that he might know something.

Local media reported on Saturday that investigators were examining several laptops and mobile phones seized from his flat during their search.

Yermak led talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Geneva last week, apparently securing some concessions for his country in a US-drafted peace proposal that many feared would be heavily supported by Russia.

At a time when Ukraine is fighting and negotiating its survival, his resignation is extremely destabilizing.

The talks will continue next week also. Ukraine’s presidential office said on Saturday that Defense Minister Rustam Umerov was the head of the delegation going to the US.

It is not known whether this will restart in time for Kiev, or result in a costly lack of continuity.

It is also not known what caused Yermak’s sudden departure from the government. The New York Post reported Saturday that he had messaged their newspaper and vowed to go to the front lines. He also declared himself innocent.

He reportedly said, “I am going to the front and am ready for any retaliation.” “I am an honest and decent person.”

But it feels like Yermak’s departure is a sign of positive change.

“Let’s call it what it is: good news,” says Olga Rudenko, editor of the Kyiv Independent.

“Think about it: A young democracy like Ukraine has independent institutions that are strong enough to check the country’s most powerful person – and can do so even during war.

“People supporting Ukraine around the world are not rooting for a place on the map, but for a place to live with certain values ​​– and fighting for them. Today we are seeing these values ​​in action.

“This shows why Ukraine is really a country worth supporting.”

Additional reporting by Toby Luckhurst