Ukraine’s capital endured a night of explosions from Friday into Saturday, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, following a dramatic raid on the aide’s home as part of a sweeping corruption investigation.
Yermak’s ouster marks one of the most significant political upheavals for Zelensky since the start of the war. The 54-year-old, widely regarded as the president’s closest ally and Ukraine’s top negotiator, was meant to lead a Ukrainian delegation to the United States this weekend for crucial talks on a Washington-backed peace plan—one Kyiv fears could force major concessions to Moscow.
After announcing Yermak’s removal, Zelensky said consultations were underway to appoint a new chief negotiator. Two senior Ukrainian officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, confirmed that National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov will now lead the talks in Yermak’s place.
Kyiv Under Fire
Hours after the shake-up, Russian drones struck Kyiv, killing one person and leaving widespread destruction across the city. Residential buildings were hit in multiple districts, injuring around a dozen people and plunging much of western Kyiv into darkness.
“Large parts of the capital are without electricity. Power crews are working to restore supply,” Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said on Telegram. The overnight air raid alert stretched more than nine hours as explosions echoed through the capital.
A Stunning Fall From Power
Yermak’s downfall came swiftly. Just last week, Zelensky had reaffirmed him as Ukraine’s chief negotiator, despite growing domestic pressure to remove the polarizing aide. But on Friday, Zelensky announced in a video address that the Office of the President would undergo a reorganization and confirmed that Yermak had submitted his resignation. Minutes later, the president signed a decree formally dismissing him.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office confirmed they raided Yermak’s apartment as part of an ongoing investigation—though they did not disclose the details. Yermak said he was cooperating fully.
He has been linked to an alleged $100-million kickback scheme in the strategic energy sector, a scandal that has ignited public outrage at a time when Russian strikes are crippling Ukraine’s power grid, raising fears of winter blackouts.
In an address to the nation on Friday, Zelensky urged Ukrainians to remain united:
“If we lose our unity, we risk losing everything—ourselves, Ukraine, and our future.”
Yermak’s Influence and Controversy
Once considered the second-most powerful figure in Ukraine, Yermak—nicknamed “the vice president” by some—commanded immense influence within the government. Critics accuse him of monopolizing access to Zelensky, consolidating power, and sidelining dissenting voices.
A former film producer and copyright lawyer, Yermak entered politics alongside Zelensky in 2019 after previously working with him during his entertainment career. The pair became inseparable during the war, often pictured together at key strategic moments. Media reports have even noted that their beds are placed side-by-side in the presidential bunker.
Yet public sentiment toward Yermak has been overwhelmingly negative. A March 2025 poll by the Razumkov Centre found that two-thirds of Ukrainians distrusted him.
European Union officials reacted cautiously to the corruption probe, praising the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies. Brussels had recently clashed with Kyiv after Zelensky attempted—unsuccessfully—to curtail the agencies’ autonomy.
Mounting Pressure on Zelensky
The timing of Yermak’s removal underscores the political pressure facing Zelensky. Analysts warn that Ukraine must project unity and accountability as it enters high-stakes negotiations with Washington.
Political expert Volodymyr Fesenko told AFP prior to the dismissal that removing Yermak could strengthen Kyiv’s bargaining position.
Fully aware of what is at stake, Zelensky emphasized the need for discipline and caution.
“Russia really wants Ukraine to make mistakes,” he said. “There will be no mistakes on our part.”
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