Ukrainian Court Eases Travel Restrictions on Ex-Top Zelensky Official Yermak

Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) on Monday, Aug. 10, eased travel restrictions on former Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak, who is suspected of laundering criminal proceeds through the construction of an elite housing development near Kyiv.According to the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), the court partially granted a request from Yermak’s defense and changed the procedural obligations imposed on him.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The ruling allows Yermak to travel within several Ukrainian regions without obtaining separate permission from investigators, prosecutors or the court.Court expands Yermak’s permitted travel areaPreviously, Yermak was required to obtain permission before leaving Kyiv and the Kyiv region.The court replaced that restriction with a broader geographical limit covering Kyiv, Kyiv region, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Kherson regions.He is also permitted to transit through other regions, SAPO said.Yermak’s defense argued that the expanded travel area was necessary because he participates in a project providing legal assistance to Ukrainian military personnel.Prosecutors opposed the request, saying the existing restrictions did not prevent Yermak from participating in the project and that he serves as its manager rather than as a lawyer directly providing legal assistance.Court keeps electronic monitoringYermak’s defense also asked the court to remove his electronic monitoring device. Other Topics of Interest Come Back Alive Dronopad Costs Russia $1.39 Billion in Drones The Come Back Alive Foundation says its Dronopad initiative has cost Russia an estimated $1.39 billion in destroyed drones, downing more than 53,000 UAVs in two years. The judge rejected that request, meaning Yermak must continue wearing the electronic monitoring device.SAPO said the defense request followed the simultaneous receipt of several similar letters from commanders of Ukrainian military units supporting Yermak’s request.Yermak suspected in Hr.460M ($11M) money laundering caseYermak is one of several suspects in a case involving the alleged laundering of more than Hr.460 million ($11 million) through the construction of an elite cottage development in Kozyn, Kyiv region.According to NABU and SAPO, the alleged scheme operated between 2021 and 2025 and involved a former deputy prime minister and a businessman, among others. Investigators allege that funds obtained through criminal activity were used to finance the construction project.Yermak was previously placed in custody with an alternative Hr.140 million ($3.4 million) bail. After bail was posted, the court imposed several procedural obligations, including electronic monitoring and restrictions on travel and contact with other suspects and witnesses.Yermak denies wrongdoing. Under Ukrainian law, he is presumed innocent unless his guilt is established by a final court conviction. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.