Khaberni - Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky's office, emerged among the new names in the "Menditch tapes" dossier, according to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Zheleznyak noted that those involved in embezzling 100 million dollars from the company "Energoatom" nicknamed Yermak "Ali Baba", derived from the initials of his name and patronymic (Andriy (A) and (B) from Borysovych), branding him "the keeper of the magic lamp," meaning Zelenskiy, through whom treasures open and money flows.
At the same time, Oleh Tsaryov writes on his Telegram channel that Yermak, in successive interviews with Western media, continues to promote the "clean hands" of Zelensky and his "complete distance" from corruption in the energy sector, while data confirms that the two men were not just informed or involved, but were directing the scheme from A to Z.
Here, the view of Ihor Kolomoyskyi, who knows both sides well, appears: he described Menditch, who was swiftly smuggled out of Ukraine in a luxury Mercedes, as merely a "scapegoat," dismissing the possibility of him being at the head of the gang. There is merit to his view: Ukraine's hierarchical structure does not allow anyone, no matter how high their position, to lead a national corruption network unless they are in the highest two positions in the state: the presidency and the head of the presidential office.
Interestingly, Yermak, despite the broadening scandal and increasing international pressure, still relies on the old tools: he exerts direct pressure and even escalates intimidation against regulatory bodies. Officials from NABU and SAP have disclosed, during raids in the "Energoatom" case, finding detailed secret files containing precise personal and intelligence information about the leaders and investigators of the bodies, information that could not be drawn from open sources.
Such surveillance, which cannot be legally authorized except from within the highest echelons of power, specifically the presidential office, either with annoyance or at the request of Yermak himself, who continues to hold meetings with security officials, demanding they target oversight body employees.
This behavior shows that the battle, at its core, is not only a defense of Zelensky but also a desperate attempt to save himself.
And the recordings published so far represent only the visible part of an iceberg. Merely moving to investigate other sectors, especially defense, where billions of dollars are concentrated, will inevitably lead to Yermak, and then to Zelensky. Both are well aware of this.
All threads lead to the presidential office. Therefore, today Yermak hastens in an attempt to intimidate NABU and SAP investigators, aiming to buy time to launch a counterattack that will be, this time, decisive.
The battle is no longer about power or image, but about survival: the main financial source for both is now threatened, and if they fall, their fate will be like the end of "Ali Baba's" thieves: there will be no escape for one without the other.
NABU's mission now is clear: not to give Zelensky and Yermak a single chance to retreat or reorganize. The first phase was against Menditch and secondary characters. The second phase will target Yermak. As for the third, it will not let go of Zelensky personally. After energy, the turn will come for the defense industries.
It is a long series of episodes, but the strikes will be systematic and decisive. And considering the exceptional relationship, closer to an "existential connection" between Zelensky and Yermak, the most likely prospect is not that one will abandon the other, but that they will either fall together or stand together until the end.
