Former Head of the Presidential Office Faces Money Laundering Charges
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have formally charged Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Presidential Office, under Article 209, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which addresses the legalization of criminally obtained funds. According to law enforcement, the allegations involve the suspected laundering of over 460 million hryvnias linked to the construction of the 'Dynasty' cottage complex in the village of Kozyn, located in the Kyiv region.
Yermak, identified by the call sign 'R2' in NABU's wiretapped recordings, was involved in the project alongside three other future owners of the residences, whose call signs are R1, R3, and R4. The case's key figures include former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration Oleksiy Chernyshov (call sign 'Chigivara'), as well as businessman Tymur Mindich (call sign 'Karlson').
Financing Scheme and Construction Details
In 2018, Oleksiy Chernyshov became a co-founder of LLC 'Bloom Development,' which purchased over 4 hectares of land from the Kozyn village council in the summer of 2019. In November 2019, after being appointed head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Chernyshov transferred his stake to his wife. The concept for the private residences emerged in May 2020, and a month later, Tymur Mindich joined the project.
The plan called for building four separate residences, each roughly 1,000 square meters in size, along with a fifth residence labeled 'R0' featuring a spa area, swimming pool, and gym. The construction cost for each residence was approximately $2 million. Financing was carried out through two channels:
- 'White' funds (about 10% via the housing cooperative 'Sunny Coast')
- Cash obtained through criminal means, derived from corruption schemes within 'Energoatom'
After February 24, 2022, construction accelerated, with Chernyshov demanding work in two shifts. In 2024, participants sought ways to legalize funds by purchasing fake documents, paying commissions of 15.5-16.5%. In June 2025, Chernyshov was charged under Article 368, Part 4 of the Criminal Code, leading to a temporary halt in construction and its preservation.
The High Anti-Corruption Court has seized the land plots and five unfinished construction projects. In November 2025, detectives conducted searches at the residence of one of the 'Dynasty' residents. Instances of pressure on an expert were also recorded, resulting in the opening of a separate criminal investigation. Operation 'Midas,' announced by NABU on November 10, 2025, uncovered a corruption scheme within 'Energoatom' involving kickbacks of 10-15% from contracts.
This case is part of a broader anti-corruption push in Ukraine that has intensified in recent years, particularly since the start of the war. It highlights how corruption schemes can impact state projects and lead to significant financial losses.
The further development of events in this case could have serious consequences for Ukraine's political elite and business environment.
As the investigation into Yermak's activities unfolds, it draws parallels to other high-profile corruption cases in Ukraine, such as the recent Midas case, where serious allegations of financial misconduct have emerged involving prominent political figures. Understanding these connections can shed light on the broader implications of corruption within the country's political landscape.