Limited edition #Yanukovych collector plate in trophy room at his estate, from his "salad" days… #ukraine pic.twitter.com/2MxqVNYCYs
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
PBS NewsHour producer Morgan Till and chief foreign correspondent Margaret Warner have been reporting from Ukraine for the last week and a half. They have reported from Crimea where the region’s ethnic Russian majority voted to secede and join Russia; they traveled to Donetsk in eastern Ukraine where loyalties to both Ukraine and Russia run deep; and Monday night they reported from the capital Kiev, where Ukrainians have been rallying against Russian aggression.
Along the way the pair made a stop about 15 miles outside Kiev, to the site of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s splashy villa. The former leader was ousted from power in February under pressure from the opposition.
Till sent this notebook:
At the end of a road dotted with nouveau-riche McMansions, stands a wrought iron gate, a guard house with bullet-proof windows and security cameras and as clear a “No trespassing” sign as the modern world provides. What sits beyond — on 300-plus wooded acres, on a bluff overlooking a lake — is Mezhyhirya, the garishly opulent estate Viktor Yanukovych built over the years, through his time as Ukraine’s Prime Minister and President.
Grand staircase Chez Viktor (1/several) w/ chandelier alleged to cost $24million yes, million. #yanukovych #ukraine pic.twitter.com/asqKruQSZK
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
It is said that the property was once staffed with more than 350 workers, and cost $10 million a year to operate. Among its amenities: at least four opulent homes; a petting zoo with ostrich and antelope, peacocks and deer; an acre green house under glass that rivals most arboretums; a golf course; a helipad and hangar; docks for a private navy; and an entertainment center with bowling alley, pool hall, tennis court, gym and boxing ring.
Trophy lion guards #Yanukovych tennis court because, of course. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/sJgb5K7uz0
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
Throughout, pictures of the former president in heroic poses abound. But today, an unpaid guard staff manages the grounds to ensure its preservation — as someone said to us, as a “monument to corruption.”
Delusions of Viktor – matinee idol portrait and Samson caricature in #Yanukovych trophy room #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/SHufcSVsEv
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
Why the long face, speed racer? Portrait of #Yanukovych outside private tennis bubble. Past pool hall & bowling alley pic.twitter.com/z112bpnJrb
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
Better days for #Yanukovych & #Erdogan – now 1 gone, 1 under pressure. Pic from last Oct, 6 wks b4 #Maidan began. pic.twitter.com/M8sQqq0HIF
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
"Pres. #Yanukovych that WAS a foot fault!" @margaretwarner holds court at "Roland Garish" on Yanuk estate @newshour pic.twitter.com/aZzpm7TOZp
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
"Citius, Altius, Crookius" stained glass triptych outside #Yanukovych boxing ring, gym in subterranean fitness ctr pic.twitter.com/rT0yKMiW73
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
A last pic from The House that Loot Built: #Yanukovych private chapel, though he could scarcely claim piety #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/5DyAbRt6EO
— Morgan Till (@mtill50) March 24, 2014
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