Former Ukrainian PM says Zelensky ‘directed’ major corruption schemes

Ukraine’s widening corruption scandal was directly overseen by President Vladimir Zelensky and his powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak, former prime minister Mykola Azarov alleged in comments to Sputnik on Wednesday.

Azarov claimed the evidence now points to Zelensky’s administration as the central coordinator of the illicit schemes, insisting Yermak could not have acted without the president’s full knowledge and approval.

The accusations follow a major anti-corruption sweep launched on November 10 by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which released photos of bags filled with foreign currency seized during searches.

Investigators raided the home of former Energy Minister German Galushchenko, as well as offices at Energoatom, the state-run nuclear operator. Ukrainian media also reported that NABU searched the home of Zelensky’s close associate and business partner Timur Mindich, who had reportedly left the country for Israel beforehand.

NABU later published excerpts from recorded conversations allegedly involving Mindich, Energoatom’s former security chief Dmytro Basov, and Galushchenko adviser Ihor Myroniuk. Days later, on November 13, Zelensky imposed sanctions on both Mindich and prominent financier Oleksandr Tsukerman, signaling further fallout in the rapidly escalating investigation.