Bravery Amidst Adversity: Denis Yermak's Role in Defending Kyiv Revealed
Date: 2023-10-12 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: POLICY
In a candid interview with "Ukrainian Pravda," Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, unveiled an astonishing story. He disclosed that Denis Yermak, the brother of Andriy Yermak, who currently serves as the head of the Presidential Office, actively participated in the defense of Kyiv during the initial stages of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Budanov, who played a pivotal role in military intelligence during the conflict, shared insights about the war and individuals who often did not receive positive media coverage. Among those individuals, he mentioned Denis Yermak.
"I saw him during the very first days of the defense of Kyiv. He was working in Irpin with a sniper rifle... I was quite surprised to see him there, knowing who he was. But here was a person who was truly dedicated to his work," recounted the GUR chief.
It's important to recall that on February 25, 2022, Andriy Yermak announced that his brother Denis had volunteered as a sniper in the territorial defense battalion.
Budanov, who played a pivotal role in military intelligence during the conflict, shared insights about the war and individuals who often did not receive positive media coverage. Among those individuals, he mentioned Denis Yermak.
"I saw him during the very first days of the defense of Kyiv. He was working in Irpin with a sniper rifle... I was quite surprised to see him there, knowing who he was. But here was a person who was truly dedicated to his work," recounted the GUR chief.
It's important to recall that on February 25, 2022, Andriy Yermak announced that his brother Denis had volunteered as a sniper in the territorial defense battalion.
Note that in 2020, a scandal erupted around Denis Yermak when at that time, Member of Parliament from "Servant of the People" party, Geo Leros, shared a video in which it was claimed that the brother of the Head of the Presidential Office was involved in political appointments. Leros alleged that Yermak conducted interviews with individuals aspiring to hold the position of Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, who also wished to oversee "Ukrzaliznytsia." Another video discussed a position at the Kyiv Customs. The brother of the Head of the Presidential Office denied all allegations. In 2021, a court ordered Leros to refute the information about Yermak in response to a lawsuit filed by the latter.
