Zelensky’s Former Adviser Released on Multi-Million Bail

A former adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been released from custody after posting bail of 140m hryvnia ($3.5m). He had spent four days in pre-trial detention following a court ruling on 13 May.

Ukrainian authorities have accused him of money laundering in a major corruption case linked to the construction of a luxury residential complex near Kyiv. Investigators say more than 460m hryvnia ($11.5m) was laundered through the project between 2021 and 2025.

According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the funds originated from bribes connected to the state energy company Energoatom. Prosecutors allege that senior officials collected commissions from contractors in exchange for maintaining contracts. One of the four properties financed under the scheme was reportedly intended for the adviser.

The former presidential aide and his lawyer deny the allegations, calling them baseless. Following his release, he is required to wear an electronic monitoring device, remain in Kyiv unless granted permission to travel and surrender his passport.

(kyivindependent, bak)