Ukraine closes Unity Ministry on claims that its chief escaped

(MENAFN) Ukraine has officially disbanded its Ministry of National Unity, previously headed by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov, according to Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak. The decision follows allegations that Chernyshov fled the country to avoid a corruption investigation.

Chernyshov, responsible for coordinating the return of Ukrainians from abroad, has come under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in a scheme involving the illegal transfer of government land in exchange for luxury housing. Media reports suggest several of his former aides are under investigation, and one property linked to the case reportedly belongs to his former security chief.

Last month, while visiting Austria with President Vladimir Zelensky, journalists claimed that Chernyshov did not return to Ukraine, implying he had gone into hiding as the investigation intensified. Exiled MP Artyom Dmitruk and journalist Anatoly Shariy also highlighted the timing of his absence, suggesting it aligned with rising legal pressure.

Chernyshov’s team denied any connection between the criminal case and his overseas trip, which Zelensky later described as an official assignment. Chernyshov later claimed to have returned to Ukraine and announced plans to establish overseas aid centers for Ukrainians.

Despite these reassurances, MP Zheleznyak said the government has now removed Chernyshov and dissolved his ministry. Its functions will reportedly be absorbed into other departments to avoid the optics of “dismantling unity.”

The move occurs during a broader government shakeup, as Prime Minister Denis Shmigal is being replaced by Yulia Sviridenko and is expected to become defense minister. Meanwhile, outgoing defense chief Rustem Umerov is reportedly being appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States.

The restructuring comes amid growing internal friction within Ukraine’s leadership. The Economist recently described the political scene in Kiev as rife with “palace politics,” with President Zelensky’s influential chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, allegedly working to sideline competing figures within the administration.

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