Andriy Yermak speaks to the press after a meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Kyiv, Ukraine, 20 March 2024. Photo: EPA / SERGEY DOLZHENKO Andriy Yermak has resigned as the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday, just hours after the country’s two powerful anti-corruption agencies raided Yermak’s home and office.

Andrey Ermak. Photo: press service of the President of Ukraine The head of the office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Ermak, wrote a letter of resignation, Vladimir Zelensky said in a video message. “There will be a complete reboot of the office of the President of Ukraine. Tomorrow I will hold consultations regarding the new head,” the president added.

The European Union has figured out how to punish those who are trying to deprive Georgia of its European future, but at the same time not harm ordinary Georgian citizens Anti-government rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, October 4, 2025. Photo: David Mdzinarishvili/EPA In December 2025, new rules will come into force to suspend the visa-free regime between the European Union and non-member countries. The corresponding act was signed by the European Parliament on November 26.

Roskomnadzor said that if the WhatsApp messenger does not comply with the requirements of Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked in the country. The department's message is quoted by TASS. “WhatsApp continues to violate Russian law. The messenger is used to organize and carry out terrorist actions on the territory of the country, to recruit their perpetrators, for fraudulent and other crimes against our citizens.

Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump watch the final of the US Open Tennis Championships in New York, 7 September 2025. EPA/SARAH YENESEL Washington is prepared to recognise Russian-annexed Crimea as well as the Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine as Russian territory to secure a deal to end the war, The Telegraph reported on Friday.

Hieromonk Jonah (Ilya Sigida) was detained in the Holy Protection and Tikhon Church in Slavyansk-on-Kuban. “New Europe” became aware of this. Jonah was taken to the local Investigative Committee, and a criminal case was opened against him under the article of repeated “discredit” of the Russian army. The reason for the persecution was the same publications on social networks for which he was previously fined.

How will this affect the agreement and the political situation in Kyiv? Andrey Ermak. Photo: Sergey Dolzhenko / EPA Anti-corruption authorities of Ukraine conducted searches of the head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, the second most influential person in the country and the main negotiator on the peace plan. This is likely part of a large-scale corruption case at Energoatom, which is already threatening political stability in Ukraine and peace negotiations.

Dmitry Kozak. Photo: Kremlin Press Service The former deputy head of Russia’s Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak, who resigned from his position in September, used a letter he wrote to Vladimir Putin explaining his decision to step down to criticise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, independent Russian media outlet Agentstvo reported on Friday.

Photo: telegram channel of Larisa Dolina The Balashikha City Court of the Moscow Region sentenced four people accused of fraud on an especially large scale (Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code) against the singer Larisa Dolina to terms of up to seven years in prison. This was reported by the press service of the Moscow region courts. Angela Tsyrulnikova, Dmitry Leontyev and Artur Kamenetsky were sentenced to seven years in prison, Andrei Osnova - to four years in prison.

How Belarusian political prisoners are being forced to support the Russian war effort in Ukraine Illustration: Lyalya Bulanova Despite Belarusian dictator Aleksander Lukashenko’s persistent denials, all evidence points to Minsk playing an active role in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

What is happening on the front line right now, on the eve of the next negotiations? A Ukrainian serviceman stands next to a residential building damaged by a Russian strike, Konstantinovka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, November 15, 2025. Photo: Oleg Petrasiuk / Press Service of the 24th King Danylo Separate Mechanized Brigade / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA The Russian army has practically surrounded Pokrovsk. There are street battles in Kupyansk, Konstantinovka and Volchansk.

Rapper Macan (Andrey Kosolapov) began serving in a separate operational division named after Dzerzhinsky in the town of Balashikha near Moscow. A press release from the Russian Guard states that “the contractor will carry out tasks to protect public order and ensure the safety of citizens in the Moscow region.” In the summer of 2025, Z-channels began criticizing the 23-year-old Macan for allegedly dodging conscription. In the fall, the rapper announced that he would still join the army.

Iryna Khalip. Photo from Khalip’s personal archive Belarusian prosecutors have opened a criminal case for “extremism” against Novaya Gazeta Europe correspondent Iryna Khalip, the journalist told Novaya Gazeta Europe on Thursday.

Dmitry Kozak. Photo: Kremlin press service Vladimir Putin's former chief of staff, Dmitry Kozak, before his dismissal in September, wrote a letter to his boss in which he criticized Russia's attack on Ukraine. The Agency reported this with reference to sources.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak in Davos, Switzerland, 14 January 2024. Photo: EPA / Gian Ehrenzeller Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have confirmed that its agents searched both the office and home of the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, on Friday morning.