【Text by Observers Net, Wang Yi】 Before being accused of a $100 million corruption case, Mykola Yezhov, a close ally of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, has always been a mysterious figure — arranging deals behind the scenes and exerting indirect influence. His name is known to many Ukrainians but rarely discussed publicly.

It was not until last week that the Ukrainian anti-corruption agency revealed a $100 million corruption case involving several of Zelenskyy's close associates. Ezhov, who is accused of being the mastermind of the case, finally came into the public eye. The gold toilet found in his apartment also sparked anger among Ukrainian citizens.

According to a report by "The Times of Israel" on November 15, Ezhov and Zelenskyy were once business partners. Since Zelenskyy was elected in 2019, Ezhov's influence has continued to grow. Ukrainian officials, experts, and anti-corruption activists all believe that Ezhov's rise in power is closely related to his special relationship with Zelenskyy and his inner circle.

According to sources from the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent," Zelenskyy tried to weaken the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in July, in an attempt to prevent the bureau from investigating Ezhov. Tetyana Shevchuk, an activist from the Center for Anti-Corruption Actions, said, "For a long time, we have heard that Ezhov was the backstage controller of the energy sector." "Now there is evidence."

However, according to a report by "Russia Today" on the 17th, Igor Kolomoysky, a jailed Ukrainian oligarch, revealed that Ezhov was merely a "scapegoat" for the幕后 forces.

"Ezhov is not a mafia boss"

Kolomoysky was a former "financier" of Zelenskyy, later imprisoned for fraud. He made comments on the latest corruption case in Ukraine during his court appearance on the 14th, saying that Ezhov's alleged criminal capabilities had been exaggerated.

"Ezhov is a good person, but as people say, it's not a profession," Kolomoysky said. "What they say about him — he's not a mafia boss." He added that during his time working with Ezhov, he was more like doing some errands and running tasks. Now, he is simply being used as a "classic scapegoat."

Kolomoysky said, "They threw him into the meat grinder without any reason," and speculated that Ezhov fled Ukraine not only to avoid arrest, but also possibly due to concerns for his life safety, because the real perpetrators of the corruption plan might think, "no body, no case."

Photo of Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoysky from video

Ezhov had a close relationship with Kolomoysky. Kolomoysky said it was Ezhov who introduced him to Zelenskyy before he became the president of Ukraine. In the run-up to the 2019 Ukrainian election, Ezhov visited Kolomoysky's office in Herzliya, central Israel, multiple times. Later, Zelenskyy cut ties with Kolomoysky, and in 2023, Kolomoysky was arrested by Ukrainian security agencies on charges of fraud and money laundering.

Previously, Ukrainian media reported that Kolomoysky may have provided key information to NABU, assisting the bureau in filing a case against Ezhov.

Before NABU searched his residence, Ezhov had already fled Ukraine. "Politico" Europe edition reported on the 13th that his destination for fleeing was likely Israel. A decree signed by Zelenskyy imposing sanctions on Ezhov shows that he is an Israeli citizen. According to "Kyiv Independent," Ezhov is still at the center of the corruption case, and criminal proceedings against him are likely to proceed in his absence.

Interestingly, "Ukrainian News" noted on the 19th that Ezhov is not listed on any wanted list by NABU or any other institution. Moreover, the Ukrainian Border Guard Service stated that Ezhov left Ukraine based on current laws and reasonable grounds.

After Zelenskyy was elected, Ezhov's political and business influence further expanded.

According to a report by "The Times of Israel," Ezhov is now 46 years old and was born in Dnipro, an eastern Ukrainian city. In 2013, a birthday greeting from the Jewish community in the city to his mother mentioned that she was a member of the community council. BBC Ukraine reported that Ezhov's father, Mykhailo, died in Israel in 2006.

In 2010, Ezhov held a four-day wedding ceremony at the Western Wall (also known as the "Wailing Wall") in Jerusalem's Old City, with approximately 500 guests attending. His wife, Yekaterina Verber, is the daughter of Russian retail executive Alla Verber.

Ezhov's close friendship with Zelenskyy has long been evident. The two were once partners in the television production company Kvartal 95, which produced the comedy that helped Zelenskyy gain fame. During the final stage of Zelenskyy's 2019 presidential campaign, he used a bulletproof car provided by Ezhov. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Zelenskyy celebrated his birthday in Ezhov's apartment, and the two lived in the same building.

After Zelenskyy won the election in 2019, Ezhov's political and business influence further expanded. After Kolomoysky was detained, companies associated with him began referring to Ezhov as their beneficiary. Shevchuk said that three years later, Ezhov gradually became a well-known businessman involved in multiple commercial fields.

Zelenskyy (left) and Ezhov (right) from social media

"Kyiv Independent" reported that NABU investigated Ezhov's relationship with the Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point, but the company denied any connection with Ezhov. Oleksiy Zelenskyy, a member of the opposition party "Holos," released an investigation pointing out that Ezhov was engaged in diamond trade in both Ukraine and Russia, and held shares in the Russian diamond producer New Diamond Technology until 2024.

Ezhov's business empire also includes agricultural enterprises and the state-owned Sense Bank. However, according to current and former Ukrainian officials, activists, and experts, his name is most commonly associated with energy companies. In June this year, relatives of Ezhov were arrested for allegedly embezzling $16 million from a power company when trying to leave the country.

Politically, Ezhov advised Zelenskyy to appoint former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. Chernyshov served as Governor of Kyiv Oblast, Regional Minister, head of the state-owned gas giant Naftogaz, and Deputy Prime Minister, until he was dismissed in June 2025 due to NABU accusations of bribery and abuse of power.

"Ukrainian Truth" pointed out that Ezhov's "disciples" also include the dismissed Minister of Justice Galushchenko and the Energy Minister Grinchenko.

In the latest corruption investigation documents, Ezhov's name rarely appears as a direct beneficiary, but investigators cited extensive wiretap evidence, stating that Ezhov controlled a network of loyalists who demanded bribes from contractors of the Ukrainian state nuclear power company (Energoatom), with nearly $100 million in money laundering identified. Investigators claim that these illegal funds were siphoned off, laundered through shell companies, and eventually ended up in Ezhov's and his accomplices' pockets.

Ukrainian anti-corruption activists believe that without his close relationship with Zelenskyy, Ezhov could not have achieved his position of power. "Without the relationship with Zelenskyy, he would never have entered politics, gained power, or benefited commercially, and now all this happens during the war, even worse, related to energy infrastructure, while Ukrainian households have no electricity."

The gold toilet found in Ezhov's apartment from social media

Angry Ukrainian citizens want to know what role Zelenskyy played in this case. According to sources told to "The Economist," investigators have not yet determined the highest level of knowledge in the corruption chain. Zelenskyy had a call with one of the implicated individuals, but it did not involve criminal content. The roots of this corruption network can be traced back decades, far earlier than his appointment.

A source believes that if Zelenskyy knew the severity of the situation, he would not have overturned this law in July, but his多名 close associates are involved, which is enough to endanger his political future. A Ukrainian intelligence official described the impact of the scandal as a "bomb-level blow."

The report states that the scandal has led to the resignation of two ministers, and the Ukrainian government has promised a comprehensive audit of all state-owned enterprises. However, unless a wide-ranging and painful political "reset" occurs, the risk of corruption will be difficult to completely eliminate. The investigation may last a year, and some detained individuals may choose to cooperate, revealing more damaging information. The next focus of the anti-corruption agencies will be on the vast defense industry system, making the Ukrainian political arena even more tense.

According to sources, many key figures are urging Zelenskyy to decisively cut ties with controversial individuals to preserve his political status and national stability. Zelenskyy has also imposed "personal special economic sanctions" on the fleeing Ezhov, including freezing his assets. However, a senior Ukrainian official privately commented on Zelenskyy's current situation, saying he is facing a "moment of reckoning," "either amputate to save his life, or let the entire body become infected and die."

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observers Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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