All language subtitles for Dictators.Hideouts.S01E05.Yanukovychs.Hidden.Palace.1080p.NOW.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-RAWR_track3_[eng]

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