Ukraine's Former Presidential Aide Arrested Amid Corruption Probe
Andriy Yermak, former chief of staff to President Zelenskyy, has been arrested on money-laundering charges, while Russian missile and drone attacks continue across Ukraine.
Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court has ordered the arrest of Andriy Yermak, former chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on charges of laundering approximately $10.5 million through a luxury housing project near Kyiv. The court set bail at 140 million hryvnias ($3.2 million). Yermak, who resigned in November amid the scandal, denies the allegations and plans to appeal the decision.
In a separate development, Russian forces have launched extensive missile and drone attacks across Ukraine for the third consecutive day. In Kyiv's Darnytsia district, a nine-story apartment building was destroyed, resulting in at least nine civilian deaths, including a 12-year-old girl, and over 30 injuries. Approximately 20 individuals remain missing. The assault, involving around 800 drones, also targeted infrastructure nationwide, leading to power outages in Kyiv and 11 other regions.
The Kremlin has described Yermak's arrest as a "problem for the Kyiv regime," while Ukrainian authorities continue to investigate the corruption allegations.
These events unfold as Ukraine faces ongoing challenges from Russian military actions and internal political developments.