Indictment Filed Against Andriy Smyrnov
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) submitted an indictment to the court on February 24 concerning Andriy Smyrnov, the former deputy head of the President's Office. He faces charges of money laundering, bribery, and illicit enrichment. The court has imposed bail as a pre-trial restraint measure.
The indictment targets the former presidential administration official, who is also the owner of a construction company, for alleged activities spanning 2019 to 2021. Prosecutors allege he laundered illicit funds by financing the construction of private houses exceeding 300 square meters in total, located in a recreational zone of Odesa region. According to the SAPO, he personally supervised the construction, determined the scope of work, and provided nearly 6.5 million hryvnias to the construction company owner for payment.
In 2022, the construction company owner reportedly approached Smyrnov, asking him to facilitate the cancellation of a tender result by Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee. In return, the owner offered to perform construction work worth $100,000 on the official's house. Smyrnov allegedly agreed, fulfilled the request, and the relevant state bodies subsequently made the required decisions.
Acquisition of Unlawful Assets
Between 2020 and 2022, Smyrnov acquired assets valued at 17.1 million hryvnias, including:
- Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen automobiles;
- Honda and BMW motorcycles;
- Three parking spaces in Kyiv;
- An apartment in a prestigious residential complex in Lviv;
- A land plot in Zakarpattia.
Most of this property was registered under his brother's name. A Honda motorcycle was initially registered to a friend but later re-registered to Smyrnov. The discrepancy between the value of these assets and his official income is 15.7 million hryvnias.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) notified Smyrnov of suspicion regarding illicit enrichment. On May 28, 2024, the High Anti-Corruption Court set bail at 10 million hryvnias, which was posted. Later, on May 5, 2025, the court ordered pre-trial detention with the option of posting bail set at 18 million hryvnias, an amount that was also paid. This case is part of a broader, ongoing anti-corruption drive in Ukraine that Western allies closely monitor as a condition for financial and military support.
The case of Andriy Smyrnov represents a significant step in Ukraine's fight against corruption, particularly concerning investigations into high-ranking officials.
Source: SAPO
The outcome of this proceeding could significantly impact anti-corruption policy within Ukraine and the country's international standing.