Andrii Yermak, the former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has been placed in pre-trial detention with bail set at UAH 140 million (about USD3.18 million), after a High Anti-Corruption Court ruling tied to a large-scale money laundering case. Speaking after the decision, Yermak admitted he was unprepared for the outcome and said he does not have the required funds.

He told the court that he would rely on personal contacts to try to secure the bail amount. ?I wasn?t prepared for this. I think I do have quite a few acquaintances and friends and I hope they will be able to help with this,? he said, adding that he was still assessing how to respond to the ruling.

Yermak declined to identify who might contribute financially and emphasized that his legal team would appeal the decision within the allowed timeframe. He also suggested he remained mentally prepared for a prolonged legal process, noting his presence in Kyiv during the full-scale invasion as evidence of his resilience. ?I am a strong enough person,? he said in court.

The court ordered that Yermak be held in custody for up to 60 days from the moment of arrest, unless bail is posted. If released, he would be required to remain in Kyiv, report regularly to investigators, surrender travel documents, avoid contact with other suspects or witnesses, and wear an electronic monitoring device.

The ruling is linked to allegations of laundering approximately UAH 460 million (around USD10.5 million) connected to a luxury construction project near Kyiv. Investigators from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office allege the funds originated from corruption schemes involving state-linked contracts, including those associated with the Energoatom sector.

According to prosecutors, part of the scheme involved illicit payments routed through an elite residential development in Kozyn, a high-income area outside Kyiv. Several other individuals have been named as suspects in the same case, while investigators continue examining financial flows tied to the project.

The prosecution requested an even higher bail amount of UAH 180 million (about USD4 million), arguing there was a risk of flight, obstruction of justice, or interference with witnesses. Officials also cited access to multiple diplomatic passports as a potential concern in enforcing restrictions.

Yermak and his defense team reject the accusations, calling them unfounded and based on assumptions. They argue that the evidence has been misinterpreted and maintain that anti-corruption bodies are facing political pressure.

The former presidential aide was formally notified of suspicion on May 11, and hearings began shortly afterward before the High Anti-Corruption Court. The case centers on alleged laundering activities linked to construction financing between 2021 and 2025.

Separately, investigators allege references to coded identities in communication records and financial documents connected to the project, which they claim link him indirectly to the transactions. Yermak denies any involvement, insisting that such interpretations are incorrect and that he is being misidentified in the materials.

He has stated that he intends to remain in Ukraine and continue legal work, including engagement with initiatives connected to supporting soldiers and veterans. His lawyers confirmed they will challenge both the detention and the bail decision.

The court's ruling can be appealed within five days and will enter into force after that period unless overturned.

Sources:

• Ukrainska Pravda
• The Kyiv Independent
• RBC-Ukraine