Ukraine: Mezhyhirya – Ex-President Yanukovich’s Residence
Yanukovich was the President/Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2002 to 2014, when he was forced to flee to Russia during the Maidan Revolution. He epitomized the extreme corruption that became almost synonymous with Ukraine – criminal oligarchs taking control of state resources and enriching themselves beyond any reason without any resemblance of even minimal rule of law (not that it has changed much since the revolution – many of these same oligarchs are still in control, been awarded Hero of Ukraine titles and use their ill-gotten money to buy villas in Spain or Bali and pay for lip and boob surgeries for their bimbo wives). But I digress… Yanukovich was thief in chief, amassing insane wealth and flaunting it, with his Mezhyhirya Residence being the showcase. The sprawling estate is over 140 ha (350 acres) in size and is situated on the banks of Dnepr River, just half an hour outside Kiev. The centerpiece is a ornate clubhouse called Honka with decorated staircases and balconies and all the bling. But wait, there was a yacht pier, a helicopter pad, an equestrian club, a shooting range, golf course, tennis courts, hunting grounds, ostrich farm, dog kennels, enclosures for wild animals, nude statues, fountains, lakes, gardens, monuments, an orthodox cathedral, a massive car garage for perhaps 50 cars (next post), and much much more. Leasing the entire massive property of 140 ha from the state of Ukraine, cost Yanukovich less then $5,000 per month (i.e. less then a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan).
