Key facts
- A Ukrainian court on Sept. 15 ruled that Andriy Yermak, former head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, does not need to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
- The court cited "medical grounds" for the decision, without further elaboration.
- Yermak is under investigation for alleged corruption, including a $100 million scheme involving Energoatom and money laundering charges.
- Media reports suggest Yermak continues to wield political influence over President Zelensky.
- Yermak was released on Hr 140 million ($3.1 million) bail in May.
A Ukrainian court on Sept. 15 granted a request for Andriy Yermak, the former head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, to forgo wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet. The High Anti-Corruption Court cited "medical grounds" for the decision, without providing further details. This ruling comes amid ongoing corruption investigations into Yermak and media reports suggesting he retains significant political influence over President Zelensky.
Initially, Yermak faced travel restrictions, being prohibited from leaving Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast without investigators' approval. However, in August, a court eased these restrictions, allowing him to travel to several other regions. The absence of an electronic bracelet, while still allowing for surveillance, makes monitoring suspects more difficult, especially if they have private security or state protection, according to Tetiana Shevchuk, a lawyer at the Anti-Corruption Action Center.
Yermak's office was searched in November 2025 as part of a probe into an alleged $100 million corruption scheme involving the state nuclear power company Energoatom, which was the largest corruption investigation during Zelensky's tenure. Yermak resigned as chief of staff following these searches. In May, he was charged with money laundering related to the construction of a luxury residential compound outside Kyiv. According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, suspects in the Energoatom case allegedly funneled money to ex-Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov for this construction. Yermak was released on Hr 140 million ($3.1 million) bail.
Despite these legal challenges, media outlets have reported that Yermak continues to exert political influence. Dzerkalo Tyzhnya cited sources in December 2025 indicating Yermak maintained regular communication with Zelensky and retained his political sway. Ukrainska Pravda reported in February that Yermak had met with several high-ranking officials since his resignation. Yermak officially resumed his legal practice in January and became head of a committee within Ukraine's National Association of Lawyers in March. His lawyer, Ihor Fomin, reportedly visited Israel in January, where he met with Boris Lemper, an Israeli lawyer allegedly connected to the alleged ringleader of the Energoatom scheme. Fomin confirmed his visit to Israel but declined to comment on his meetings. Ukrainska Pravda also reported in July, citing sources, that Yermak had lobbied for the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.