Original subtitles

NARRATOR: Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych.

He had a dizzying career, from governor of Donetsk

through to prime minister,

through to prime minister,

all the way to the presidency of Ukraine.

Forced to flee the country in February 2014, fearing for his life.

Forced to flee the country in February 2014, fearing for his life.

The man Putin wants to put back in power...

GUY WALTERS: This was a man who stole billions.

Billions from his own people.

Billions from his own people.

- So when Yanukovych was leaving Ukraine,

he had truckloads of money, of paintings,

he had truckloads of money, of paintings,

all of these treasures that he'd amassed by stealing

from the Ukrainian people,

put on trucks, and actually brought into Russia.

NARRATOR: A man with a double life,

NARRATOR: A man with a double life,

claiming he was the people's humble servant...

..when, in reality, he was hoarding his ill-gotten wealth,

..when, in reality, he was hoarding his ill-gotten wealth,

hiding it from the country...

..whilst enforcing a brutal crackdown on civil liberties.

..whilst enforcing a brutal crackdown on civil liberties.

- He limited freedom of speech. Times of hard censorship.

- He orders to begin shooting protesters.

- He orders to begin shooting protesters.

- (gunfire)

NARRATOR: But as dissent and opposition grew,

where could Yanukovych hide from his many enemies?

At the heart of it all...

..Yanukovych's massive million-dollar estate.

..Yanukovych's massive million-dollar estate.

Located just north of Kyiv on the banks of the Dnipro River,

it was here that Yanukovich guarded his illicit gains

it was here that Yanukovich guarded his illicit gains

and kept his secrets.

- Mezhyhirya was a total hideout.

NARRATOR: Only after Yanukovych fled to his paymasters in Russia

NARRATOR: Only after Yanukovych fled to his paymasters in Russia

would Ukrainians learn the truth of what lay behind

the heavily guarded walls of this dictator's hideout.

the heavily guarded walls of this dictator's hideout.

Underground tunnels.

Nuclear bunkers.

Architectural madness.

Lavish headquarters.

For dictators, the cost did not matter, only their desires...

..power, and security.

..power, and security.

What secrets hide in these grand structures?

Ukraine, the border of Europe and Russia.

Declaring its independence from the Soviet Union

Declaring its independence from the Soviet Union

on August 24th, 1991,

the '90s would prove pivotal in shaping

its relationship with Russia.

its relationship with Russia.

Following decades of Soviet rule,

Ukrainians were optimistic for their future.

- The problem was that there was deep-rooted corruption

from the beginning in Ukraine.

Went down the route of oligarch.

Went down the route of oligarch.

- Oligarch is a guy who is a huge businessman -

very rich person -

but he has an influence inside the political system.

but he has an influence inside the political system.

He has his own party, political party,

or his own faction in a huge political party.

or his own faction in a huge political party.

He has his own guys in the government.

So, he basically is getting richer

So, he basically is getting richer

thanks to his influence in the state.

NARRATOR: Inequality in the newly independent Ukraine during the '90s

NARRATOR: Inequality in the newly independent Ukraine during the '90s

was even greater than in the '80s,

leading to the highest crime rates in its history.

- The 1990s in Ukraine were, frankly, pretty bloody.

- The 1990s in Ukraine were, frankly, pretty bloody.

- Criminal world and business world were basically the same.

They let you conduct illegal activities for some bribes

They let you conduct illegal activities for some bribes

for some money, and everything was like a part of one system, right?

Politicians.

Criminals.

Police.

NARRATOR: Donetsk. South-East Ukraine.

NARRATOR: Donetsk. South-East Ukraine.

An oligarch stronghold.

- Yanukovych is born in this small industrial town called Yenakiieve.

- Yanukovych is born in this small industrial town called Yenakiieve.

Now, let's make no mistake.

Now, let's make no mistake.

It was a terrible place to be born and to grow up.

- He got into trouble in his teens, and ended up in jail several times.

- He got into trouble in his teens, and ended up in jail several times.

ROMAN ROMANIUK: (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: As he rose through the party ranks in Donetsk,

NARRATOR: As he rose through the party ranks in Donetsk,

Yanukovych was careful to rewrite his own history.

- His criminal records just disappeared.

- He became allied with the so-called Donetsk mafia,

self-distinguished group of oligarchs

self-distinguished group of oligarchs

and politicians who run that region.

NARRATOR: Through their patronage, Yanukovych was able to make

a rapid ascent to the highest echelons

of Ukrainian politics in just two decades.

of Ukrainian politics in just two decades.

- He became the governor of Donetsk and then went on

to become Prime Minister.

In 2010, became president of Ukraine.

In 2010, became president of Ukraine.

- This is a man who is very well qualified

to become the very corrupt President of Ukraine.

to become the very corrupt President of Ukraine.

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: After winning the Presidency in 2010,

NARRATOR: After winning the Presidency in 2010,

Yanukovich misappropriated government funds,

channelling them via the All-Ukrainian Development Bank,

channelling them via the All-Ukrainian Development Bank,

controlled by his son Oleksandr, into his offshore accounts,

illegally accumulating vast fortunes.

Yanukovych and his family amassed numerous apartments in Kyiv

and in other exclusive locations throughout the country.

and in other exclusive locations throughout the country.

- Thirty, forty real estate.

NARRATOR: Several of which were used solely to store cash.

NARRATOR: Several of which were used solely to store cash.

NARRATOR: Concealing the truth of his burgeoning wealth

from the nation would become a top priority.

People were fed up with the ubiquitous corruption

People were fed up with the ubiquitous corruption

of the oligarchs and turned against the government.

Yanukovych had seen the people's wrath before...

Yanukovych had seen the people's wrath before...

..in the country's Orange Revolution,

which had denied him the presidency in 2004.

He couldn't risk inflaming tensions again.

He couldn't risk inflaming tensions again.

Instead, like his main sponsor, Putin,

Instead, like his main sponsor, Putin,

he went to great lengths to keep his opulent lifestyle

hidden from the public.

Kyiv. Ukraine's capital.

Distinguished by centuries of culture

and history on its surface, and an impregnable fortress below...

and history on its surface, and an impregnable fortress below...

..Kyiv's underground houses a network of passages

over 50 kilometres long.

over 50 kilometres long.

The most extensive remains the Kyiv Metro.

The most extensive remains the Kyiv Metro.

- And actually, they are being used during the war against Russia.

- (siren wailing)

- They're being used by Ukrainians to actually protect themselves.

Two million inhabitants of Kyiv

Two million inhabitants of Kyiv

actually have access to these shelters.

So, I think that shows you just how extensive that network is.

So, I think that shows you just how extensive that network is.

NARRATOR: But subways and civilian shelters are

NARRATOR: But subways and civilian shelters are

insufficient hiding places for the president.

Where could Yanukovych hide?

The numerous shelters in Kyiv for the head of state

and its citizens, Yanukovych himself had nothing to fear from Russia.

and its citizens, Yanukovych himself had nothing to fear from Russia.

As Vladimir Putin's protege,

he knew there would be no direct attack as long as he was in charge.

he knew there would be no direct attack as long as he was in charge.

But that didn't account for his fear of other potential threats.

ROMANIUK:

- Yanukovych was very religious, at least in public, right?

I mean, you know, he wasn't really. He was superstitious.

I mean, you know, he wasn't really. He was superstitious.

NARRATOR: Instead of venturing below ground for protection,

Yanukovych, encouraged by his network of allies,

Yanukovych, encouraged by his network of allies,

headed out of the city...

..20 kilometres north,

..20 kilometres north,

where he established his sanctuary at an estate called Mezhyhirya.

As his popularity steeply declined due to his various crackdowns

and corrupt practices, Yanukovych needed a place he could feel safe.

and corrupt practices, Yanukovych needed a place he could feel safe.

- Mezhyhirya was a special place in Ukraine's north of Kyiv,

- Mezhyhirya was a special place in Ukraine's north of Kyiv,

but it also had magical, mystical powers surrounding it.

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: The region was rich with historic and religious significance,

perfect for the superstitious Yanukovych.

NIKOLAIENKO:

NARRATOR: Located 20 kilometres north of Kyiv,

NARRATOR: Located 20 kilometres north of Kyiv,

Mezhyhirya provided quick access to the capital

while offering ample secrecy through its sprawling grounds.

while offering ample secrecy through its sprawling grounds.

This new domain would meet Yanukovych's every need.

With his hideout in his sights, he began securing it

With his hideout in his sights, he began securing it

through all available means, surrounding it with a wall of steel.

NIKOLAIENKO:

NIKOLAIENKO:

- Dictators typically build monuments

- Dictators typically build monuments

for presentation to the outside.

But when they build their homes and palaces,

But when they build their homes and palaces,

it's usually in secrecy, and they want to keep people away

because they know it reflects their corruption.

because they know it reflects their corruption.

POTOCKI: Yanukovych was afraid of his security.

He tried to... his best to guarantee that he is safe.

He tried to... his best to guarantee that he is safe.

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: 'Berkut' is a specially-trained security unit

NARRATOR: 'Berkut' is a specially-trained security unit

tasked with breaching facilities...

..combating terrorists, and maintaining order.

NARRATOR: This highly trained paramilitary unit effectively became

NARRATOR: This highly trained paramilitary unit effectively became

Yanukovych's secret police force.

It was responsible for guarding Yanukovych's home.

During his tenure, it became infamous for its brutality.

During his tenure, it became infamous for its brutality.

WALTERS: Really well-trained guards.

Lots of other security measures. High walls.

Lots of other security measures. High walls.

Security cameras, access control points.

ROMANIUK:

NARRATOR: While its imposing walls,

guard houses, and hidden gun sites protected Mezhyhirya's mysteries,

rumours of its opulence swirled among the populace.

rumours of its opulence swirled among the populace.

- First, he lived there when he was prime minister.

- First, he lived there when he was prime minister.

He lived there in one small house.

- (dialogue in Ukrainian)

- (dialogue in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: Journalists led the charge to uncover the truth

and attempt to pierce the cloak of secrecy.

NARRATOR: Yanukovych invited popular journalists

and let cameras in for a rare tour.

WALTERS: Now, Building Number 20

was the only building he showed to journalists,

and he pretended it was his only property.

and he pretended it was his only property.

Yeah, that was complete bullshit.

It's got a much more modern approach to security.

It's got checkpoints, it's got perimeter walls,

it's got surveillance, it's got armed guards.

it's got surveillance, it's got armed guards.

It's much more designed to hide stolen treasure

that Yanukovych had amassed, you know, throughout his reign.

that Yanukovych had amassed, you know, throughout his reign.

NARRATOR: That was until Ukraine's Independence Day in 2012,

when Yanukovych's peace-and-quiet

was interrupted by an unexpected guest...

was interrupted by an unexpected guest...

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: This was not the first time journalists tried

to see beyond the walls of the dictator's estate.

to see beyond the walls of the dictator's estate.

The true scandal broke out after aerial drone footage

of Mezhyhirya was revealed by Serhiy Leshchenko to the public.

of Mezhyhirya was revealed by Serhiy Leshchenko to the public.

The footage exposed wealth and corruption

on an unprecedented scale.

Yanukovych would target the journalists involved.

Yanukovych would target the journalists involved.

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: Serving to emphasize how his administration was more akin

NARRATOR: Serving to emphasize how his administration was more akin

to a police state than to a democratically elected government.

Files on journalists were found in Yanukovych's residence.

Muzzling of the press was common in Ukraine during the Soviet era...

Muzzling of the press was common in Ukraine during the Soviet era...

..continuing after its dissolution.

He had previously silenced the media about his own criminal convictions.

He had previously silenced the media about his own criminal convictions.

Manipulating and censoring the press was crucial

to maintaining his 'cult of personality'.

NARRATOR: To help improve and protect his public image...

..Yanukovych needed outside assistance,

..Yanukovych needed outside assistance,

particularly the expertise of Western image consultants

like Paul Manafort.

WALTERS: Paul Manafort was a consultant.

WALTERS: Paul Manafort was a consultant.

He was a consultant to despots and other reprobates.

He helped their PR.

He made sure their sanctions were reduced.

He made sure their sanctions were reduced.

He made sure that they stayed in power.

NARRATOR: One of his most well-known clients

was the tyrannical ex-President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko.

was the tyrannical ex-President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko.

Manafort would later become a household name

for his role in the election of former President Donald Trump.

for his role in the election of former President Donald Trump.

For his efforts in Ukraine, Manafort would be highly rewarded.

For his efforts in Ukraine, Manafort would be highly rewarded.

- Manafort were paid by millions, with millions of dollars to help,

first of all, Yanukovych to stay a popular leader

first of all, Yanukovych to stay a popular leader

in his part of Ukraine, and to try to win another election,

parliamentary and presidential election in the future.

parliamentary and presidential election in the future.

And he did it.

NARRATOR: When his schemes were discovered,

Paul Manafort was disbarred, his assets were seized,

and he received a six-year prison sentence,

only to be pardoned by President Trump

after only two years.

Despite the efforts of PR consultants distorting reality,

the secret of Mezhyhirya was discovered thanks to

the secret of Mezhyhirya was discovered thanks to

the courage of Tetiana Chornovol

and her fellow investigative journalists.

- When we discovered Mezhyhirya,

we were really shocked as journalists.

we were really shocked as journalists.

We viewed it as something really luxury there,

but we couldn't imagine how it was in real life.

but we couldn't imagine how it was in real life.

- The Ukrainian people were not allowed to know about it

for really good reason, because Yanukovych knew that

for really good reason, because Yanukovych knew that

his salary as president of the country

is not gonna run to an estate of 140 hectares

with this great big residence in the middle of it.

with this great big residence in the middle of it.

Huge scale, and it's hidden from the very people he's stealing from.

NARRATOR: But only now would Yanukovych's refuge

reveal its secrets.

NARRATOR: At the heart of Yanukovych's vast private estate

is a secluded villa known as the Club House, or Honka.

is a secluded villa known as the Club House, or Honka.

Here, the disgraced president's prized assets

and deepest secrets were kept.

and deepest secrets were kept.

- This is greed on an epic scale,

and it's hidden from the very people he's stealing it from.

and it's hidden from the very people he's stealing it from.

NARRATOR: But the moment of truth came during Euromaidan,

in November 2013, after journalist Mustafa Nayyem

in November 2013, after journalist Mustafa Nayyem

called for a rally against the government.

Crowds of outraged Ukrainians stormed the residence.

Finally, the public would learn the mysteries of Mezhyhirya.

One of the first journalists to delve into the secrets

of Yanukovych's estate was

of Yanukovych's estate was

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anna Babinets.

She entered the residence along with the crowd

She entered the residence along with the crowd

and transmitted her findings live.

She now returns to the residence to show us

She now returns to the residence to show us

the extent of his corruption.

- So this is the main hall in the building,

- So this is the main hall in the building,

in the house where Yanukovych lived

with his civil wife and her daughter.

And as we know from documents we found here as journalists,

And as we know from documents we found here as journalists,

that building was built mostly with wood by Honka, Finnish company...

..which Yanukovych was really proud of,

that that Finnish company made this for him.

But not only Finnish.

There are some German companies which, some decoration here, and...

There are some German companies which, some decoration here, and...

but walls from Honka.

It's a lot of types of wood here -

It's a lot of types of wood here -

about 17 types -

Ukrainian, Italian, German, and other countries.

By that moment, it was the biggest house Honka built by themself.

By that moment, it was the biggest house Honka built by themself.

NARRATOR: Only at the very last moments, when all hope was lost,

NARRATOR: Only at the very last moments, when all hope was lost,

did Yanukovych abandon his most prized possession...

..his palatial multi-million-dollar construction.

The front of Honka reveals two visible floors,

but below its surface are two additional levels.

but below its surface are two additional levels.

Eight metres below ground, you'll find the Grand Knight Hall.

Eight metres below ground, you'll find the Grand Knight Hall.

The floor above offered accommodations

and featured a hall with stained glass.

and featured a hall with stained glass.

On its main floor, Honka boasts

a two-story foyer with parquet flooring.

Marble steps lead towards Yanukovych's bedrooms,

Marble steps lead towards Yanukovych's bedrooms,

from which the windows provide panoramic vistas of the Kyiv Sea.

from which the windows provide panoramic vistas of the Kyiv Sea.

- Yanukovych liked some exclusive stuff.

We saw that katarynka.

We saw that katarynka.

- (melodic chiming)

BABINETS: It costs about one-half of million euros.

BABINETS: It costs about one-half of million euros.

NARRATOR: Along with antique furniture

and other ornate artifacts,

Honka was adorned with chandeliers worth as much as $100,000 each.

Honka was adorned with chandeliers worth as much as $100,000 each.

Adding to the hideout's exuberant price tag,

Honka also boasted a billiard hall,

Honka also boasted a billiard hall,

a bowling alley,

and a private cinema.

- Yanukovych even had there his own church.

Which was decorated by people from the west of Ukraine.

They decorated all this stuff inside,

They decorated all this stuff inside,

and he even didn't use to go to real church.

He had his own church inside.

MOGHADDAM: You have to have a high level of narcissism...

..in order to be so motivated

..in order to be so motivated

to grab power as he was.

NARRATOR: Honka exemplified Yanukovych's

narcissistic personality, along with his love of luxury and splendour.

Yet another luxurious facility in Mezhyhirya

Yet another luxurious facility in Mezhyhirya

was a recreation centre, particularly coveted by Yanukovych.

- (indistinct chatter)

- (indistinct chatter)

- It looks the same, how it was when I came here first time

with this group of journalists, when Yanukovych left.

with this group of journalists, when Yanukovych left.

I was really surprised how many

I was really surprised how many

beauty procedures our president needed.

He really cared a lot about his skin, about his face.

It was a lot of very modern by that moment equipment.

It was a lot of very modern by that moment equipment.

We found his schedule for working days had, like, 4 or 5

We found his schedule for working days had, like, 4 or 5

spa procedures during the days, and one call to some official.

NARRATOR: The spa would hold its own secrets,

NARRATOR: The spa would hold its own secrets,

discovered by Anna Babinets.

- So, when we came here,

we found a lot of Yanukovych costumes.

It was like wardrobe room.

It was like wardrobe room.

We found a very funny orange-yellow carnival costume,

and we was like, "Why?" It's some crazy stuff here.

and we was like, "Why?" It's some crazy stuff here.

I think maybe it was some celebration.

NARRATOR: The costume closet would not be the only surprise.

NARRATOR: The costume closet would not be the only surprise.

- But the day we even didn't know that there is some secret room,

there is some doors.

NARRATOR: Why did Yanukovych need

a hidden tunnel in his dressing room?

- So, now we are in the tunnel...

..which connects spa zone and Honka,

..which connects spa zone and Honka,

the main building, when Yanukovych lived with his family.

I think they used it only for going

from one building to another building.

Maybe after spa procedure, they needed to be warm.

Maybe after spa procedure, they needed to be warm.

NARRATOR: The tunnel had far more to do with vanity

than it did with security.

than it did with security.

For Yanukovych, it seems beauty would trump safety.

BABINETS: It's not like bunker or something.

BABINETS: It's not like bunker or something.

Uh, but it's only one connection between these buildings.

And as we know, it's only one tunnel in all these residences.

And as we know, it's only one tunnel in all these residences.

WALTERS: There are plenty of rumours that

there are tunnels under Mezhyhirya...

there are tunnels under Mezhyhirya...

..that are full of cash, and gold, and money.

There is probably some money buried underneath there.

There is probably some money buried underneath there.

You know, some of that money has got to be somewhere.

POTOCKI: The Ukrainians do not trust banks.

POTOCKI: The Ukrainians do not trust banks.

If you have some money, probably you would put it in cash,

in dollars, or euro in your home.

in dollars, or euro in your home.

NARRATOR: Much of Mezhyhirya has still not been fully explored.

It is not certain where Yanukovych hid the stolen millions,

It is not certain where Yanukovych hid the stolen millions,

but the tunnel next to the residence is certainly not the only one.

This huge area still hides many mysteries.

This huge area still hides many mysteries.

REPORTER: (speaking in Ukrainian)

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: This tunnel is too long and extensive

to serve merely as a technical or access shaft.

to serve merely as a technical or access shaft.

NARRATOR: Could the mysterious rumours about Yanukovych's

NARRATOR: Could the mysterious rumours about Yanukovych's

secret tunnels, full of valuables

and millions of dollars in cash, be true?

How many more mysteries does Mezhyhirya hide?

How many more mysteries does Mezhyhirya hide?

- Dictators end up isolating themselves

because they manufacture a picture

because they manufacture a picture

of their own popularity and success,

which can only be endorsed by the few people

which can only be endorsed by the few people

who are corrupt and surrounding the dictator.

Everybody else sees a different reality.

Everybody else sees a different reality.

NARRATOR: Whilst his people struggled to stay above

the poverty line, Yanukovych lived like a king.

the poverty line, Yanukovych lived like a king.

In 2010, the year of his election as president,

millions of dollars of public funds were siphoned off

millions of dollars of public funds were siphoned off

for building materials for his personal construction projects.

Beyond Honka's walls, there was more excess.

Beyond Honka's walls, there was more excess.

The estate held a private garage in which there were

70 modern and vintage cars,

accompanied by a nearby private gas station.

Even more curiously, the estate featured a laboratory...

Even more curiously, the estate featured a laboratory...

..fitted with state-of-the-art testing equipment.

But to test what?

But to test what?

WALTERS: It's a little bit mysterious why he had it.

Maybe somewhat sinister.

Maybe he needed it for something other than testing food.

Maybe he needed it for something other than testing food.

VORONYK:

NARRATOR: Yanukovych claimed that he supported vulnerable species,

especially ostriches, as part of his interest

especially ostriches, as part of his interest

in conservation and wildlife.

The estate also boasted a luxury restaurant

modelled after a full-size Spanish galleon.

modelled after a full-size Spanish galleon.

All these absurdities cost vast amounts of money.

All these absurdities cost vast amounts of money.

While Yanukovych ceaselessly enriched himself day after day,

Ukrainians were inundated with growing hardship.

Ukrainians were inundated with growing hardship.

In 2013, under pressure from Moscow...

..Yanukovych refused to sign the EU Ukrainian Association Agreement,

..Yanukovych refused to sign the EU Ukrainian Association Agreement,

which would have massively boosted the economy

and standard of living for the populace,

and standard of living for the populace,

choosing instead to favour stronger ties with Russia.

- (chanting in Ukrainian)

NARRATOR: For the people of Ukraine, this was the last straw.

- Ultimately, things really come to a head in 2014.

It's a kind of revolution of what was known as Euromaidan.

It's a kind of revolution of what was known as Euromaidan.

BABINETS: It was mostly winter. It was very cold.

BABINETS: It was mostly winter. It was very cold.

People lived in tents in Maidan.

- And it's during those protests in Kyiv where we see Yanukovych

- And it's during those protests in Kyiv where we see Yanukovych

really showing his dictatorial nature.

really showing his dictatorial nature.

The protest was largely peaceful.

But what does Yanukovych do?

He orders this, kind of, police force, known as the Berkut...

He orders this, kind of, police force, known as the Berkut...

to begin shooting.

- (gunshot) - And they start killing protesters.

- (gunshot) - And they start killing protesters.

- (gunfire)

- (man speaking in Ukrainian)

- This is murder.

BABINETS: In January-February of 2014

BABINETS: In January-February of 2014

when first people were killed there.

WALTERS: They're even using armoured personnel carriers,

you know, with police on them, and they're armed with Kalashnikovs,

and you name it.

There's footage - really horrible footage -

that shows people just being shot dead.

that shows people just being shot dead.

- (shouting in Ukrainian) - (gunshot)

NARRATOR: The peaceful protest quickly devolved

into a bloody slaughter.

into a bloody slaughter.

Euromaidan had exposed the lie of

Yanukovych's supposed democratic principles.

WALTERS: So, what this turns out to become is a really uneven fight

WALTERS: So, what this turns out to become is a really uneven fight

between largely unarmed protesters and armed policemen.

And that shows just what Yanukovych is capable of doing,

And that shows just what Yanukovych is capable of doing,

all dictators do,

and that is basically to murder people to stay in power.

and that is basically to murder people to stay in power.

NARRATOR: In a desperate bid to cling to power,

Yanukovych resorted to extreme measures.

He found that he wasn't as powerful as he thought.

After years of cutbacks on the orders

of his Moscow paymasters,

the army was ready to side with the people against him.

the army was ready to side with the people against him.

Ultimately, he had little choice but to escape the country,

Ultimately, he had little choice but to escape the country,

in the hope that, with Moscow's backing, he might one day return.

In the winter of 2014, defeated by his own people,

In the winter of 2014, defeated by his own people,

Yanukovych chose to flee Ukraine.

He turned to the only man who could save him...

He turned to the only man who could save him...

Vladimir Putin.

- Yanukovych's escape was the, you know, the escape of a rat.

- Yanukovych's escape was the, you know, the escape of a rat.

You know? He's packing his wealth in the middle of the night,

and truckloads of money are heading towards the Russian border.

and truckloads of money are heading towards the Russian border.

You know, this is classic big mafia boss kind of behaviour.

It's not for the head of a major European power to behave like this.

It's not for the head of a major European power to behave like this.

NARRATOR: February 21st, Yanukovych made

his desperate escape from the country.

his desperate escape from the country.

He took his valuables and his much younger lover...

abandoning his wife in Donbas,

the most dangerous region of Ukraine.

His helicopter, overloaded with his valuables,

struggled during take-off.

What he couldn't take by air...

Yanukovych transported by land.

POTOCKI: Whole trucks with money, with cash,

POTOCKI: Whole trucks with money, with cash,

that ran to the border crossing with Russia.

He escaped with a lot of cash, a lot of dollars.

ROMANIUK:

WALTERS: If you had to blame one man for supporting Yanukovych,

WALTERS: If you had to blame one man for supporting Yanukovych,

I know where that blame lies.

It's with Vladimir Putin.

NARRATOR: With the president having fled,

NARRATOR: With the president having fled,

there was now nothing to stop journalists

- from entering Mezhyhirya... - (indistinct shouting)

- ..and showing the world how their former president

- ..and showing the world how their former president

had abused his people's trust.

In addition to the sickening opulence,

they discovered secret documents

Yanukovych didn't have time to destroy.

Yanukovych didn't have time to destroy.

- (speaking in Ukrainian)

BABINETS: When we, this group of journalists, came to Mezhyhirya,

there was a lot of documents on the water, and we figured out

there was a lot of documents on the water, and we figured out

that it was something important, and then we try to catch them.

that it was something important, and then we try to catch them.

We asked divers to come.

We start to taking pictures, we start scanning everything.

We start to taking pictures, we start scanning everything.

And in the end, we had 25,000 documents.

NARRATOR: The documents mostly detailed the extensive process

of constructing Mezhyhirya.

They revealed that Yanukovych or people around him

They revealed that Yanukovych or people around him

spent about two billion dollars for building his residence.

WALTERS: What these documents revealed was the sheer extent

WALTERS: What these documents revealed was the sheer extent

of the corruption. I mean, nearly everything is being funnelled

through shell companies,

you know, from one jurisdiction, one country,

you know, from one jurisdiction, one country,

one territory to the next.

POTOCKI: After he escaped, the prosecutors claimed that

he stole 100 billion of dollars from the economy.

he stole 100 billion of dollars from the economy.

His only aim...

..was getting rich.

NARRATOR: Despite his escape,

let's envision what could have been...

let's envision what could have been...

had Yanukovich attempted to hold out at Mezhyhirya

while his opponents stormed the estate to remove him by force.

while his opponents stormed the estate to remove him by force.

Could Yanukovych have held out while waiting for Putin's help?

To assist in our analysis,

To assist in our analysis,

former British Army Intelligence Corps officer

and security expert Adrian Weale...

..will investigate whether Yanukovych

could have successfully survived a military assault

by his own forces at his sanctuary.

by his own forces at his sanctuary.

- For most dictators, the enemy is not going to be

- For most dictators, the enemy is not going to be

an external aggressor.

Somebody who's going to come and try and bomb you,

blow you up, shoot you.

NARRATOR: In our hypothetical scenario,

while Yanukovych hides in his estate and secures his wealth,

while Yanukovych hides in his estate and secures his wealth,

disgruntled Ukrainian military personnel surround his location.

Mezhyhirya is a well-secured area.

Cameras record every movement.

A conventional attack would be unwise.

A conventional attack would be unwise.

Soldiers would choose an alternative option.

- The .50- or 12.7-millimetere sniper rifle.

- The .50- or 12.7-millimetere sniper rifle.

It's a big, weighty thing. You can put a tracer in it.

You can get armour-piercing rounds.

You can get armour-piercing rounds.

You can up the power of them so that they're very high-velocity.

So, it's quite adaptable.

A .50 round is likely to penetrate...

A .50 round is likely to penetrate...

pretty much anything less well-armoured than a tank.

It will literally blow a body apart.

NARRATOR: The sprawling estate and limited clear lines of sight

NARRATOR: The sprawling estate and limited clear lines of sight

make it difficult to pinpoint Yanukovych's exact location.

- (clicking)

- (clicking)

- (breathing heavily)

- (inhales)

- (gunshot)

- (gunshot)

NARRATOR: If the sniper mission fails,

you can use one of the most secret CIA weapons.

you can use one of the most secret CIA weapons.

- To hit a target like Yanukovich, you can actually

do it with stuff that you could carry around in a suitcase.

The Hellfire missile is the armament of the US Reaper drone system.

They're named the Ninja Bomb because they kill people

They're named the Ninja Bomb because they kill people

before they know that they're there.

It arrives before the sound wave does.

You don't hear it before it hits you and kills you.

You don't hear it before it hits you and kills you.

You can mount something like a Hellfire missile...

You can mount something like a Hellfire missile...

and when you shoot your missile at them,

it's going to show you the video of these missiles

heading straight towards them until the moment that it hits.

heading straight towards them until the moment that it hits.

And boom! That's it. They're gone.

NARRATOR: However, let's leave our simulation

and return to the true story.

and return to the true story.

Yanukovych fled before any such measures could be put into practice.

Following his escape in February 2014...

..Russia declared his deposal illegal

and put up their exalted guest in the style of which

and put up their exalted guest in the style of which

he had become accustomed to, amid the expectations

that one day he would return as their vassal ruler in Ukraine.

that one day he would return as their vassal ruler in Ukraine.

- We know that he lives in so-called Rublyovka.

NARRATOR: This is the multi-million-dollar estate

NARRATOR: This is the multi-million-dollar estate

where Yanukovych has hidden his stolen goods...

..while awaiting the signal from Putin

..while awaiting the signal from Putin

to return to his position as president,

supposing their war with Ukraine is won.

- (siren blaring)

NARRATOR: The Kremlin had considered swiftly seizing the capital

and establishing an administration while it was under their occupation,

and establishing an administration while it was under their occupation,

much as they had done in Georgia and Crimea.

Instead, Ukraine is in no mood to capitulate

Instead, Ukraine is in no mood to capitulate

and be forced to take Yanukovych back,

choosing to fight to the last man and woman standing

choosing to fight to the last man and woman standing

in defence of their sovereignty and freedom.

- Yanukovych has nowhere to return to.

- Yanukovych has nowhere to return to.

He faces a prison sentence in Ukraine.

And Russia cannot defeat Ukraine because, you know what?

They're not going to surrender.

They're not going to surrender.

Subtitles by Sky Access Services

Subtitles by Sky Access Services