Ukrainian prosecutors have completed a special pre-trial investigation involving former President Viktor Yanukovych and 16 other high-ranking officials, who are accused of being part of a criminal organization linked to the suppression of protests during the 2014 Euromaidan movement.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, Yanukovych allegedly established and led this organization after assuming the presidency. The group reportedly included top political and security leaders who coordinated efforts to maintain control over government branches and influence law enforcement and judicial systems to further their own political and economic interests.
This investigation is distinct from ongoing cases related to the direct organization of the violent dispersal of protesters during the Euromaidan protests. Authorities have been examining how, between 2010 and 2014, a power structure was developed that concentrated authority among a select few while suppressing dissent.
The individuals implicated in the investigation include Yanukovych, former Prime Minister, Attorney General, Minister of Internal Affairs, and other key security officials. The inquiry suggests that this group utilized state institutions, including law enforcement and military forces, to preserve the power of the then-government.
The investigation also connects to the events of the Euromaidan protests, which erupted in late 2013 following Yanukovych’s decision to reject an association agreement with the European Union. Authorities are accused of responding to these protests with excessive force, deploying police and military personnel against demonstrators.
From November 21, 2013, to February 20, 2014, approximately 70 civilians were reported killed, and over 1,200 protesters sustained injuries of varying severity. Additionally, more than 100 law enforcement officers were harmed during these confrontations.
“At the initiative of the prosecution, pre-trial detention has been requested for the suspects, as they are hiding in the Russian Federation or in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The investigation was conducted using a special procedure in absentia,” stated Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
Kravchenko emphasized that the conclusion of this investigation marks a transition to the next phase of accountability for those involved.
Recent developments include a January 17, 2023, ruling by the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv, which ordered Yanukovych to be held in custody in relation to the dispersal of the Euromaidan protests. In April 2025, the Podil District Court sentenced Yanukovych and former Deputy Chief of the State Guard Administration, Kostiantyn Kobzar, to 15 and 10 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in illegal border crossings and inciting desertion.
As of now, Yanukovych is believed to be residing in Barvikha, a suburb of Moscow, while Kobzar is reported to be living in Moscow.
Ukrainian authorities have finalized an investigation into Viktor Yanukovych and other former officials, accusing them of forming a criminal organization that suppressed protests during the 2014 Euromaidan movement. The case highlights ongoing efforts to hold accountable those involved in the violent crackdown on dissent in Ukraine.