Army commander linked to Putin aided Yanukovych's escape from Ukraine in 2014, according to prosecutor's claims.
Here's a fresh take on the article:
Woah, it seems like the infamous former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, has found himself in hot water again! According to the Ukrainian prosecutor, Denis Ivanov, Yanukovych's 2014 illegal border crossing was no small-time operation. It turns out, it had some heavyweight backing from Russian figures, including none other than the personal bodyguard of Vladimir Putin, Sergei Morozov, and the ex-commander of the Southern Military District, Aleksander Galkin.
On the 28th of April, the Prosecutor General's Office revealed that Yanukovych was slapped with a 15-year prison sentence for inciting desertion and organizing those illicit border crossings. This isn't the first time Yanukovych has faced the wrath of a Ukrainian court. Back in 2019, he ended up with a 13-year sentence for high treason and complicity in waging war against Ukraine.
Yanukovych, a polarizing political figure even at 73 years old, wasn't landing with the voters after the 2004 Orange Revolution, following revelations of voter fraud in his favor. But he somehow managed to win the presidency in 2010, drawing Ukraine closer to Russia. However, refusing to sign an association agreement with the European Union in November 2013 caused mass protests known as the EuroMaidan Revolution, which ultimately led to his downfall and flight to Russia.
During the trial for illegal border crossing, the people who enabled Yanukovych's movements, along with the routes and dates of his travels, were identified. Ivanov stated that the entire operation was heavily backed by the Russian Federation and its military forces, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), the military of the Southern Military District, and the Russian Black Sea Fleet. One of Yanukovych's phones was even connected to Putin's bodyguard, Morozov.
The key pieces of evidence in this case were the testimonies from employees of the State Protection Department of Ukraine who rejected Yanukovych's offer to leave Ukraine's territory with him and betray their military oath. Along with that, there were recordings from a telecommunications operator detailing the numbers used by Yanukovych and his security while moving around Ukraine and Russia [3].
So, it looks like Yanukovych's illegal border crossing in 2014 was anything but a solo mission! It seems like he had some powerful friends helping him along the way. As for his current whereabouts, Ukrainian prosecutors believe he resides in the village of Barvikha in Moscow Oblast.
- The Ukrainian prosecutor, Denis Ivanov, alleged that the former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych's 2014 illegal border crossing was facilitated by Russian figures, including Sergei Morozov, Vladimir Putin's personal bodyguard, and Aleksander Galkin, the ex-commander of the Southern Military District.
- In an event reminiscent of war-and-conflicts and politics, Yanukovych was sentenced to 15 years in prison for inciting desertion and organizing the illicit border crossings.
- As general-news unfolded, it was revealed that Yanukovych, a polarizing political figure, was initially distrusted by voters after the 2004 Orange Revolution but managed to win the presidency in 2010, drawing Ukraine closer to Russia.
- During the trial for illegal border crossing, it was discovered that the operation was heavily backed by the Russian Federation and its military forces, including the FSB, the military of the Southern Military District, and the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and Yanukovych's phone was connected to Putin's bodyguard, Morozov.
- In a significant turn of events, the trial unveiled that Yanukovych's policy-and-legislation and movements, along with the routes and dates of his travels, were identified, with the key pieces of evidence being the testimonies from employees who rejected his offer to leave Ukraine and the recordings from a telecommunications operator detailing the numbers used by Yanukovych and his security.
