--- title: "From 'Midas' to 'Advocate+': How Andriy Yermak's Role in Zelenskyy's Circle Changed in 2026" description: "🔥 Former Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak is no longer a key player in Zelenskyy's circle. His influence has become \"boutique,\" and his career is under threat due to the \"Midas\" and \"Dynasty\" cases. But scandals are not subsiding: the \"Advocate+\" project is again in the spotlight. #Yermak #Zelenskyy #Ukraine #Politics" date: 2026-08-17T04:14:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ermak-2026-influence-on-zelenskyy-advocate-scandal tags: [andrey-ermak, volodymyr-zeleensky, ukraine-politics, corruption-scandal, advokat-plus] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # From 'Midas' to 'Advocate+': How Andriy Yermak's Role in Zelenskyy's Circle Changed in 2026 ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andriy Yermak at a meeting table in 2026, discussing strategy and changes in Yermak's role](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/17/ermak-2026-vliyanie-na-zelenskogo-skandal-advokat/ermak-2026-vliyanie-na-zelenskogo-skandal-advokat-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Yermak's influence on Zelenskyy has become minimal and episodic. - Yermak resigned in November 2025 amidst the 'Midas' case. - In May 2026, he was suspected in the 'Dynasty' case. - The 'Advocate+' project is again at the center of a scandal due to the joining of 'Kharta'. - Relations with Zelenskyy remain friendly, but without political influence. ### A Quiet Exit from Politics: Yermak Is No Longer a Key Player As of August 2026, the influence of former Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, on Volodymyr Zelenskyy has significantly weakened. While in 2022–2024 Yermak was the "grey cardinal" and the de facto second most powerful person in the state, today his role has been reduced to episodic consultations. Sources in the presidential circle, interviewed by RBK-Ukraine, characterize the current interaction as "boutique" — that is, targeted and non-systemic. Yermak no longer participates in personnel appointments or strategic planning, focusing instead on private legal practice. Relations between Zelenskyy and Yermak, despite the latter's sharp departure from his post at the end of 2025, have not escalated into open confrontation. As insiders note, the Office of the President operates on a principle introduced back during Andriy Bohdan's tenure: "if you part ways, do it so you don't kill each other later in the process." This allowed communication channels to be preserved but completely excluded Yermak from the operational management of the country. ### Resignation Amidst the 'Midas' Scandal and the 'Dynasty' Case The key turning point in Yermak's career was his resignation in November 2025. It occurred at the peak of a corruption scandal in "Energoatom," known as the "Midas" case. The investigation revealed that the leadership of the nuclear industry, overseen by the Office of the President, was involved in large-scale embezzlement. In May 2026, the situation intensified: the NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) brought suspicion against Yermak in a new case — "Dynasty." This concerns the laundering of funds obtained from equipment contracts in "Energoatom" through the construction of an elite residential complex near Kyiv. The court selected detention as the preventive measure for Yermak, but a few days later he was released after posting a bail of 140 million hryvnias. Raising such a sum was made possible thanks to the support of loyal business partners and supporters, which sparked a new wave of criticism against the former Head of the Office of the President. ### The 'Advocate+' Project and the 'Kharta' Scandal While at liberty, Yermak is actively developing the "Advocate+" project for legal support of military personnel. The initiative is positioned as assistance to servicemen in resolving legal issues; however, in August 2026, a new scandal erupted around the project. The army corps "Kharta" joined "Advocate+," causing outrage not only within the unit but also in the wider public. Critics point out that Yermak is using his status and military connections to promote his own interests, despite having suspicions from NABU. ### Contradictory Data There are discrepancies in assessments of the degree of Yermak's influence. On the one hand, sources in the Office of the President claim that his role is minimal and limited to rare consultations. On the other hand, Yermak himself and his circle emphasize that he retains authority and continues to influence key decisions, especially in the sphere of defense and security. Some experts believe that the "boutique" nature of the influence is merely a public facade hiding the real state of affairs. ### Yermak's Future: Between the Bar and Politics At the moment, Andriy Yermak does not plan to return to politics, focusing on his legal practice. However, his name continues to appear in the news agenda, especially in the context of NABU investigations and scandals surrounding "Advocate+". The question of whether he will be able to completely distance himself from politics or return to it in the future remains open. For now, his influence on Zelenskyy remains limited, but not zero. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Yermak left his post amidst a corruption scandal](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20251128-%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BB-%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%8F%D0%B2%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D0%B1-%D0%BE%D1%82%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B5) - Подтверждает отставку Ермака в ноябре 2025 года на фоне дела «Мидас». ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Does Andriy Yermak influence Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2026? **A:** Yermak's influence has become minimal and episodic. He no longer participates in personnel or strategic decisions. ### Q: Why did Yermak resign? **A:** Yermak resigned in November 2025 amidst a corruption scandal in 'Energoatom' (the 'Midas' case). ### Q: What is the 'Dynasty' case? **A:** The 'Dynasty' case is an investigation into the laundering of funds obtained from equipment contracts in 'Energoatom' through the construction of a residential complex near Kyiv. ### Q: What is the 'Advocate+' project? **A:** 'Advocate+' is a project for legal support of military personnel, which is overseen by Andriy Yermak. ### Q: Does Yermak plan to return to politics? **A:** At the moment, Yermak does not plan to return to politics, focusing on his legal practice.