Zelensky's ex-chief of staff in court as Ukraine corruption probe escalates

Andriy Yermak was named by Ukraine's two anti-corruption agencies as a suspect in a money-laundering scheme. Zelensky's ex-chief of staff in court as Ukraine corruption probe escalates Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Andriy Yermak said he had only one flat and one car, and his lawyer said the allegations were "baseless" A man in a suit stands in court while a policeman looks on President Volodymyr Zelensky's former right-hand man Andriy Yermak appeared in a Kyiv court on Tuesday, after he was named by Ukraine's two anti-corruption agencies as a suspect in a money-laundering scheme. Yermak's lawyer had earlier denounced as "baseless" allegations that the former head of the presidential office had been caught up in a corruption scandal surrounding a $10.5m (£7.5m) luxury construction project outside Kyiv. Hours before the court hearing Yermak told reporters "I do not have any house, I only have one flat and one car", adding later that he would comment afterwards. For years he was a close friend of Zelensky, and led Ukraine's talks with the US until an anti-corruption raid on his flat last November prompted his resignation. Ukraine's Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) said it was asking the Kyiv court to either place him in preventive detention or give him bail of about $4m (£3m). The head of the National anti-corruption bureau (Nabu) stressed that Zelensky himself was not part of the pre-trial investigation. Yermak had been the president's closest adviser throughout Russia's full-scale invasion launched in 2022, until he became caught up in a broader inquiry by Sap and Nabu into an alleged $100m (£74m) embezzlement scheme in Ukraine's nuclear energy sector. He was not charged or formally named as a suspect at the time, however the swirling allegations have cast a shadow over Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. Last year, Zelensky had to scrap a law that weakened the independence of the two anti-corruption agencies, following widespread protests and criticism from the EU. As part of Operation Midas, ex-Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov was charged with abuse of office, while businessman Timur Mindich reportedly fled the country after he was flagged as a suspect and ex-Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko was detained while trying to leave. Like Yermak, Mindich was once part of Zelensky's inner circle and co-owned the president's former TV studio Kvartal95, before sanctions were imposed on him. Mindich, who now lives in Israel, denies wrongdoing. The latest claims centre on an elite housing project called "Dynasty" in a village outside Kyiv where millions in construction funds were allegedly laundered. The anti-corruption bureau shared part of a wiretapped conversation as part of its case and said six more people had been identified as suspects. Yermak's defence lawyer Ihor Fomin told Ukraine's Suspilne public broadcaster on Tuesday that the "baseless" accusations against the former chief of staff had all been triggered by public pressure, the like of which he had never witnessed before. "When the investigative actions are over, I will provide a comment," Yermak told reporters on Monday night. Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn, said as the case was ongoing it would be premature to comment on "ongoing procedural actions". Russia's defence ministry posted images of a missile launch described as a Sarmat nuclear weapon The latest revelations came as Russia ended a three-day ceasefire while it marked victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. In a series of overnight attacks, more than 200 drones targeted Ukraine leaving at least one person dead, authorities said. The capital Kyiv had been relatively quiet for days, Meanwhile, Moscow said it had shot down more than 100 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours. Russia's Vladimir Putin suggested at the weekend that the war was "coming to an end", however Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasised on Tuesday that "a lot of homework is still to be done", and indicated that Putin was unlikely to meet Ukraine's leader any time soon. Zelensky had said earlier that Russia had "no intention of ending this war" and was preparing further attacks. Although Russia's Victory Day parade on Saturday was markedly low key, with no military hardware on display, Putin announced on Tuesday that Moscow would deploy a new 35,000km-range nuclear missile called Sarmat at the end of 2026. As he spoke Russia's defence ministry released a video showing a missile launch, and Putin described it as the "most powerful missile system in the world". Work on another nuclear-powered missile, the Burevestnik, and a nuclear-powered torpedo was "in its final stages", Putin asserted. Vladimir Putin stands at the centre of a ceremonial honour guard, surrounded by uniformed service members in full dress. The scene is outdoors, framed by brick architecture and greenery. The military personnel wear white caps, dark uniforms with gold insignia, and carry rifles held in precise ceremonial positions. Their posture is rigid and disciplined, forming a structured corridor around Putin. Vladimir Putin is dressed in a dark overcoat and red t. He appears to be observing or participating in an inspection. Steve Rosenberg: This year's Victory Day parade in Moscow felt very different German Galushchenko, with grey hair, beard, and glasses with a neutral expression. He is standing next to Volodymyr Zelensky. Both men are wearing black jackets. Ukraine's ex-energy minister detained while attempting to leave country Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and head of Ukraine's state nuclear power company Enerhoatom Petro Kotin Major corruption scandal engulfs top Zelensky allies Ross David Cutmore, from Fife, admitted passing on information about training bases and the location of Ukrainian forces. BBC Verify analysis of ship-tracking data suggests "shadow fleet" vessels sailed into UK water despite the government threatening to board them. The Russian leader sees potential for Ukraine negotiations, but condemns the West's backing for President Zelensky. Dragon boats donated by teams across England are on the way to Odesa to help rehabilitate soldiers. The boost marks a major turnaround for Canada after years of falling behind on defence capabilities. The BBC's Russia editor reports from a Red Square with none of the military hardware which the Kremlin normally showcases to project power internationally. The Russian leader used his annual speech to justify his so-called special military operation in Ukraine. The BBC's Russia editor reports from Moscow, where the annual Victory Day display was quieter than usual.