Ukraine Investigates Former Top Official for Stealing Money

May 12, 2026, 16:19
EuropePolitics

Introduction

Police in Ukraine say Andriy Yermak is a suspect. He was a top helper to President Zelensky. They think he stole money.

Main Body

Police say Yermak and other people stole $10.5 million. They used this money to build expensive houses. This money came from a bigger crime at a nuclear power company. Many people in Ukraine think corruption is a big problem. Some leaders tried to stop the police from doing their work. But the police stayed independent. At the same time, Ukraine is working with the USA. President Zelensky met a tech company. They want to use AI and new computers to fight in the war.

Conclusion

Andriy Yermak is still a suspect. Ukraine wants to stop corruption to join the European Union.

Learning

🕵️ Tracking the Action

Look at these three sentences. Notice how we describe things that happened in the past:

  • He was a helper.
  • They used money.
  • Zelensky met a company.

The Secret Rule: To talk about yesterday or last year, we often just add -ed to the end of the action word (the verb).

Easy Examples:

  • Use →\rightarrow Used
  • Stay →\rightarrow Stayed

The 'Rule Breakers': Some words are rebels. They change completely. You just have to remember them:

  • Is →\rightarrow Was
  • Meet →\rightarrow Met

Quick Vocabulary Map

  • Suspect: A person the police think did something wrong.
  • Corruption: When people in power steal money.
  • Independent: Doing work alone, without being told what to do by a boss.

Vocabulary Learning

suspect
someone who might have done something wrong
Example:The police think he is a suspect.
police
law enforcement officers who keep order
Example:Police are investigating the case.
money
paper or coins used for buying
Example:They stole a lot of money.
crime
an illegal act
Example:The crime was stealing money.
corruption
unfair use of power for personal gain
Example:Corruption is a big problem.
problem
a difficult situation
Example:The problem is corruption.
leaders
people who guide others
Example:Leaders tried to stop the police.
stop
to end or prevent
Example:They want to stop corruption.
independent
not controlled by others
Example:The police stayed independent.
war
a big fight between countries
Example:They want to fight in the war.
union
a group of countries that work together
Example:Ukraine wants to join the Union.
nuclear
related to powerful energy from atoms
Example:The crime happened at a nuclear power company.