Andriy Yermak was a constant, looming presence in Ukraine's government - a seemingly immovable figure on the political stage.
Despite his towering frame, you might not always have spotted him. Yet, wherever President Volodymyr Zelensky was, Yermak was often not far away.
As his chief of staff, Yermak wielded enormous power at the top of government and was even trusted to negotiate on Ukraine's behalf at peace talks with the US.
But as his influence grew, so did public resentment of the power this unelected official held. His political career came to an abrupt end on Friday, hours after anti-corruption investigators raided his home in Kyiv.
Yermak and Zelensky first met in 2011 when the former was an intellectual property lawyer and the latter a TV producer. After working together during the successful presidential campaign of 2019, Yermak became Zelensky's chief of staff. He stood next to the president as he delivered his now-famous we are still here speech as the Russians descended on Kyiv during the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
As Zelensky concentrated his power, Yermak was viewed as the second most powerful person in Ukraine, shaping foreign policy and making major decisions.
However, his growing influence drew widespread criticism and his popularity began to nosedive amid corruption scandals precipitated by the government's controversial actions.
This summer, Zelensky's decision to strip the independence of key anti-corruption institutions fueled public outrage, culminating in Yermak's fall as corruption allegations ensnared his inner circle.
As Ukraine battles on the front lines, his resignation sets the stage for either much-needed reform or potential instability within the government. With ongoing discussions about Ukraine's future and its alliances, the impact of Yermak's exit remains to be seen.
