Court Finalizes Conviction of Yanukovych for 15 Years: Details of His Escape.

According to ТСН: The Kyiv Appeal Court has upheld the verdict against former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and the former head of his Security Service. Now the court's decision, which sentences Yanukovych to 15 years in prison, has come into force.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, the appellate court rejected the defense's appeals, confirming the decision of the Podilsk District Court. Yanukovych was found guilty of the following actions:

• organizing the illegal transportation of persons across state borders (Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);

• inciting desertion (Part 4 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The cumulative punishment of 15 years of imprisonment takes into account a previous sentence from the Obolon District Court in 2019 for state treason and aiding Russia in waging an aggressive war, for which Yanukovych received 13 years.

“The former deputy head of the State Protection Department of Ukraine was sentenced to 10 years in prison for organizing the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine and desertion under Part 2 of Article 332, Part 2 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine,” the prosecutor's office reported.

Details of the Escape: Route with Assistance from Russia

The prosecutors detailed the chronology of events on February 23, 2014. Viktor Yanukovych, along with 20 members of his entourage and security, illegally flew out from the outskirts of the village of Urzuf (Donetsk region) on three Russian military helicopters.

“The flight was carried out outside crossing points across the state border for air transport. The convicts flew on three Russian military helicopters piloted by a pilot of the RF Armed Forces from the outskirts of the village of Urzuf to a military airfield in the city of Yeisk (Russia),” the Office of the Attorney General reported.

After that, the route led through the city of Anapa, and from there—on a military transport plane provided by the RF Armed Forces—to the military airfield “Gvardeyskoye” on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. While in Sevastopol, Yanukovych urged the servicemen of the State Protection Department, who were guarding him, to desert. Numerous security service employees left with him by sea to Russia and did not return to service.

“The route of the fugitive president's movement across the territory of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was fully controlled and accompanied by employees of the Federal Security Service and military personnel of the Southern Military District of the RF, and was agreed directly with the President of the RF,” the prosecutor's office emphasized.

It should be noted that earlier, Russian propaganda media unexpectedly “uncovered” information about the former fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych.

It was also reported that Yanukovych could have been liquidated if he had not fled from Ukraine, as stated by the adviser to the head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak. He emphasized that for the Kremlin, Yanukovych held no value and could have been used as a tool to start a war.

The conviction of Yanukovych has become an important milestone in the legal system of Ukraine, as it confirms the inevitability of punishment for those who commit crimes against the state. This decision also serves as a signal for other politicians and officials that accountability for their actions cannot be obscured, even if they try to flee the country.

At the same time, the situation surrounding Yanukovych remains a relevant topic in Ukrainian and international media, as it is related to events that have led to an even greater escalation of relations between Ukraine and Russia.