What former NSDC official Yarmolsky is known for

Andriy Yarmolsky, assistant to former Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov, is accompanying his boss on a trip to Chisinau. 

While his potential involvement in a number of scandals related to humanitarian aid, as well as potential links to Russian President’s crony Viktor Medvedchuk, did not attract much attention among senior officials, his appointment to a diplomatic post raised questions among experts.

It was recently announced that Oleksiy Danilov had been appointed as the Ukrainian ambassador to Moldova. However, as it turned out, he will not be going there alone. According to information disseminated by anonymous Telegram channels, his assistant Andriy Yarmolsky, who is known for his possible involvement in a series of scandals, is also heading to Chisinau with him.

Problems with humanitarian aid

Until April 2022, Andriy Yarmolsky, who held the position of deputy head of the Volyn Regional Military Administration, was responsible for organising humanitarian aid. 

However, it soon emerged that a company associated with his name had supplied hundreds of body armours to Volyn that could not withstand 5.45 and 7.62 calibre bullets. Yarmolsky personally supported the procurement of this equipment, for which more than 27 million hryvnia was spent from the budget.

Shortly after Yarmolsky’s dismissal in April, the head of the administration ordered that the warehouse under his control be placed under the protection of the Lutsk battalion. However, the warehouse owner did not allow access, and it was later established that large volumes of unprocessed goods were being moved through this facility.

The lack of reporting on incoming goods triggered an audit, during which it was found that the warehouse stored body armours and components claimed as their property by the construction company KBR. As evidence, invoices from a presumably fictitious entrepreneur were provided, who had been named in investigations into smuggling and money laundering.

In addition, Yarmolsky was implicated in another criminal case. According to the investigation, he issued fake documents allowing those liable for military service to travel to Poland allegedly to deliver humanitarian cargo. This allowed those who did not have the right to do so to leave Ukrainian territory without hindrance under martial law.

Although many media outlets reported suspicions against Yarmolsky at the time, a criminal case was ultimately never opened.

Family legacy

The Yarmolsky family is known for its influence in Volyn region. Andriy Yarmolsky’s father, Ihor, headed the Mayakivka village council for many years and acquired significant land plots. During his tenure, villagers reported facts indicating possible abuses in the management of municipal lands.

After ending his political career, Ihor Yarmolsky continued to be involved in a number of scandals, including those related to land plots and conflicts over the post of head of the district administration.

Andriy Yarmolsky’s career

Until 2021, Andriy Yarmolsky was engaged in business in the legal sector, being a co-founder of several companies, including the law firm “Finkord Intelligence”, which provided legal assistance to people associated with Viktor Medvedchuk. In 2021, after being appointed to senior positions in the regional administration, Yarmolsky gained significant power and influence.

He was also involved in the humanitarian aid scandal and later became deputy head of the NSDC’s foreign policy service, which allowed him to obtain diplomatic status and the ability to leave the country as part of an official mission.