Ukraine's NABU names ex-presidential chief Andriy Yermak suspect in $10.5 million money laundering case linked to luxury real estate and Energoatom corruption

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) on May 11 notified former Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak of suspicion in a case involving the alleged laundering of UAH 460 million ($10.5 million) through the construction of the Dynastiia luxury housing complex in Kozyn, Kyiv region. The project included four private residences and a shared spa complex on about eight hectares. Part of the funds used for construction allegedly passed through a company controlled by a suspect, estimated at nearly $9 million. Investigators link portions of the financing to corruption schemes at state nuclear company Energoatom.

On May 12, NABU and SAPO announced suspicions against six additional members of the alleged organized group, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov and businessman Tymur Mindich. NABU Director Semen Kryvonos said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "did not and does not figure" in the investigation. SAPO chief Oleksandr Klymenko said prosecutors will seek pre-trial detention for Yermak with bail of UAH 180 million ($4 million).

The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine began a hearing on a preventive measure for Yermak on May 12. Yermak said before the hearing: "I hope for a fair, impartial, independent decision." His lawyer, Ihor Fomin, requested a delay, citing 16 volumes of case materials of about 250 pages each. The court postponed the hearing to allow the defense time to review materials. Fomin denied any connection between Yermak and the alleged laundering, saying "the issue of money laundering, in my opinion, is unfounded."

According to investigators, between 2021 and 2025 the suspects allegedly laundered more than UAH 460 million through the construction of the cottage complex. The project reportedly involved four private residences with auxiliary buildings and facilities, as well as a shared spa residence, built on land plots totaling about eight hectares. Part of the funds used for construction allegedly passed through a so-called "laundromat" controlled by a businessman who was expected to become the owner of one of the residences, with the amount estimated at nearly $9 million.

The case is linked to the broader "Operation Midas" investigation into an alleged $100 million kickback scheme at Energoatom. Among those linked to the Midas case are Chernyshov and Mindich. Mindich left for Israel before being notified of suspicion; NABU submitted documents to place him on an Interpol wanted list. The High Anti-Corruption Court imposed detention on Chernyshov with bail of UAH 120 million, which was paid in full.

NABU documented pressure on experts involved in the case and opened a separate criminal proceeding. Kryvonos suggested the pressure may have come from members of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), saying "an unknown person approached an expert and conveyed some signal about being careful with this expertise." Klymenko confirmed that Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's former defense minister and now secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, had been questioned in the case as a witness.