Ex-Ukrainian presidential adviser: "I'm going to the front"

Former top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on November 28 that he is heading to the frontlines — only hours after submitting his resignation, which followed a raid on his home by Kyiv’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau.

“I’m going to the front and am prepared for any reprisals,” Andriy Yermak told The New York Post in an emotional text message Friday night. “I am an honest and decent person.”

He added that he might no longer be able to answer calls, though he did not specify when or how he planned to reach the front in Ukraine’s war against Russia.

“I served Ukraine and was in Kyiv on February 24, 2024,” he wrote, referring to the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion. “Maybe we’ll see each other again. Glory to Ukraine.”

Yermak did not elaborate on whether he intended to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine or what role he would take on.

“I’ve been desecrated, and my dignity hasn’t been protected, despite being in Kyiv since February 24, 2022,” he said, appearing to correct earlier references to 2024. “I don’t want to create problems for Zelenskyy; I’m going to the front. I am disgusted by the filth directed at me, and even more disgusted by the lack of support from those who know the truth.”

His messages came at the end of a turbulent day. Yermak, who had been leading Ukraine’s delegation in negotiations over Kyiv’s peace plan, saw his home searched and submitted his resignation just before he was scheduled to meet the U.S. team guiding talks to end the war.

A Ukrainian delegation is still expected to travel to the United States this weekend to meet with Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for continued discussions on the peace plan.

Zelenskyy has already reshuffled his negotiation team. Remaining on the group is National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who — according to senior U.S. officials — convinced Witkoff that Ukraine would accept a heavily Russia-leaning 28-point peace proposal that Zelensky later rejected.

Umerov, who denies approving the plan or altering its provisions, spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel before his meeting with Witkoff. It remains unclear why that conversation occurred or whether another meeting will take place this weekend.

The raid on Yermak’s home followed a 15-month investigation by Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdog into “Operation Midas,” a sweeping scheme that allegedly pressured Energoatom contractors to pay 10–15% kickbacks or face blacklisting. Investigators say nearly $100 million was siphoned off through the operation.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Olha Stefanishyna told The Post that “searches at his home were made, but no procedural actions followed afterwards,” adding that Yermak resigned to “cut off speculations.”

Zelensky said Yermak’s departure was necessary to maintain public trust during a difficult stage of peace negotiations with the United States.

“I am grateful to Andriy that Ukraine’s position on the path of negotiations was always presented as required: it was always a patriotic position,” Zelenskyy said. “But I want there to be no rumours and no speculation.”

“When all attention is focused on diplomacy and defence in wartime, internal strength is essential,” he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova