Yermak Announces Creation of Public Organization to Support Military Personnel and Prisoners

Former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, has revealed the creation of a new public organization called 'Justice for Ukraine'. This initiative is designed to provide support for military personnel, prisoners, their families, and children. The organization emerged from Yermak's collaboration with military representatives and legal experts who are committed to addressing urgent legal issues faced by these groups.

In his social media posts, Yermak stated, 'In the NAAU committee, we are working on systemic solutions: policies, approaches, legislation. The NGO is a continuation of this work, but now at the level of specific cases.' These words emphasize that the new organization will not only focus on general issues but will also tackle specific cases that require immediate legal intervention.

Yermak elaborated on the organization's goals, noting that it will address real legal matters concerning military personnel, prisoners, their families, and children. Among these issues are status, payments, rights protection, compensation, and other critical aspects that require attention and professional assistance.

Among the founders of the public organization, alongside Andriy Yermak, are Artem Dyblenko, a marine officer who endured captivity after defending Mariupol, Yuliya Stepanenko, an attorney with international practice, and Tetiana Kan, a military officer, lawyer, and manager. These individuals possess significant experience in their respective fields, which will enable the organization to operate effectively and professionally.

'We plan to commence full operations with the office and the first cases as early as May,' Yermak noted, emphasizing the timeline for the organization's active engagement. This indicates the founders' serious intentions and readiness to respond swiftly to the needs of military personnel and their families.

It is worth recalling that Yermak previously led a committee focused on protecting victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms, and legal frameworks for Euro-integration recovery, established at his initiative within the National Association of Lawyers of Ukraine (NAAU). This committee is already actively working on the 'Lawyer+' project, which aims to provide legal assistance to military personnel.

The NAAU also reported that Yermak, along with other lawyers, has visited units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in combat zones to offer consultations. This demonstrates Yermak's active involvement in addressing issues concerning military personnel and his commitment to supporting them in challenging situations.

Additionally, in March of this year, Yermak accompanied American actor and director Sean Penn during his visit to the combat unit of the 157th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade in Donetsk, particularly in Sloviansk. This is yet another example of how Yermak is striving to raise awareness within the international community about the situation in Ukraine and to support Ukrainian military personnel.

It is also important to note that on November 28, 2025, 'Ukrainska Pravda' reported on searches conducted by detectives from the NABU and prosecutors from the SAP at the residence of Andriy Yermak, the head of the President's Office. Yermak confirmed that searches were taking place at his home and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. Following this, President Volodymyr Zelensky made the decision to dismiss Yermak from his position as head of the President's Office, appointing Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the GUR, in his place.

Yermak himself announced his intention to go to the front after resigning amid a corruption scandal and investigative actions by the NABU at his residence. According to ZN.UA, on December 5, Yermak visited the office of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, although sources from UP did not confirm this information. These events underscore the complex situation Yermak finds himself in and his desire to leave a mark in supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing war.