Zelensky now cutting loose his most controversial aide amid $100m corruption firestorm to woo West

After being removed from his position as Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak was also fired from several other senior government roles as President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees on December 5. Yermal lost seats on the National Security and Defence Council and the Commander-in-Chief’s Staff but retains positions on the National Anti-Corruption Council, National Investment Council, and other advisory bodies. Yermak resigned on November 28 after anti-corruption investigators raided his properties amid a $100 million scandal involving Zelensky’s inner circle siphoning funds from the energy sector, including foreign aid for Energoatom. While not formally charged, opposition MPs questioned his role, and his business partner Timur Mindich fled Ukraine, with multiple high-profile figures also implicated.