The Podilskyi District Court of the capital has made a historic ruling regarding former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych
In absentia, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and the court accused him of inciting desertion and organizing illegal crossing of the state border. In addition to him, former head of the State Security Administration, Kostiantyn Kobzár, was also held accountable and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment on similar charges. This decision became one of the most resonant in Ukraine's criminal history in recent years and significantly added new dimensions to the legal assessment of one of the most scandalous eras in the country's modern history. According to the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office, the court, in absentia, reviewed the materials of the case concerning Yanukovych’s planned actions aimed at avoiding responsibility for crimes committed. Preliminary investigation established that during a period when the country was suffering from a political crisis and social tension, the former head of state personally issued instructions and coordinated the actions of his supporters regarding the desertion of units of the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies. This was part of a broader strategy to evade accountability for political decisions and crimes committed during the EuroMaidan and subsequent Revolution of Dignity. The case materials also detail the organization of illegal smuggling across the border, carried out with the support of structures under Yanukovych’s leadership. This involved using illegal channels and forged documents to facilitate the escape of high-ranking officials and religious figures, as well as to limit law enforcement agencies’ ability to intervene. The significance of this decision lies in demonstrating the strict stance of the Ukrainian legal system against any form of incitement to desertion and organization of illegal border crossings. At the same time, it reinforces the state’s position in the fight against historical crimes of a political nature and calls for greater responsibility among former high-ranking officials who attempted to evade justice. According to reports, the proceedings took place in absentia due to the complexity of the case and Yanukovych’s hiding abroad. Currently, the sentenced rulings have a significant precedent value and may influence further legal assessments of the actions of the former leadership. It is expected that the Yanukovych case will become one of the key issues in the ongoing process of restoring justice in Ukraine. Authorities continue working on options to enforce court decisions in controlled territories and have already intensified efforts to disseminate information about this verdict as a signal to those still trying to avoid responsibility for their actions. The events surrounding the court’s decision regarding Yanukovych reaffirm Ukraine’s unwavering course toward legal justice and constitute an important step on the path to overcoming historical enmities and abuses. This is an example that even the highest echelons of power cannot be immune from accountability if their actions violate laws and the principles of the state.