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Mezhyhirya Residence

Coordinates: 50°36′53.9″N 30°28′27.5″E / 50.614972°N 30.474306°E / 50.614972; 30.474306
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Location of Mezhyhirya
This article is about the former official residence of Ukraine. For a monastery that existed in its place, see Mezhyhirya Monastery.
"Mezhyhirya" redirects here. For other uses, see Mezhyhirya (disambiguation).

50°36′53.9″N 30°28′27.5″E / 50.614972°N 30.474306°E / 50.614972; 30.474306 Mezhyhirya (Ukrainian: Межигір'я) was the private residence[1] of former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych in the village of Novi Petrivtsi, Vyshhorod Raion,[2][3][4] which he occupied since 2002.[5] The estate is over 140 ha (350 acres) and is situated on the banks of the Dnieper river (Kiev Reservoir).[6] In 1935-2007 Mezhyhirya was a state government residence until it was turned into a private property. In 2012 the State Administration of Affairs rented a space from Tantalit for 99,691 hryvnia per year arranging it for official receptions.[7][8][9]

Internet newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda in its journalist investigation published a number of documents that confirm a link between those organizations-tenants, family members of Yanukovych and his entourage.[10] The 140-hectares Mezhyhirya complex is enclosed by a five meter tall fence with length along the perimeter of 54 km (34 mi).[11] On its territory are located a yacht pier, equestrian club, shooting range, tennis court and many other recreational tourism complexes[12] as well as hunting grounds.[13] Lease of 1 ha (2.5 acres) in Mezhyhirya for Yanukovych costs 314 hryvnia per month (2010)[14] which is about $39.57 according to the exchange rate.[15]

History

See also: Mezhyhirya Monastery

Until April 10, 1786 on the territory of the modern residence existed the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, establishment of which is attributed back prior to the period of princely epoch in Kiev, and which was liquidated by the Russian Imperial edict of Catherine the Great. Already the next year the monastery was set on fire, supposedly on the order of the same Catherine the Great. About that incident later wrote the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko: "As tsaritsa with Nechesa walked around Kiev and the Mezhyhirya Savior she set on fire at night".[16] At the end of the 19th century the monastery was restored as a female monastery Intercession of the Saints, but in 1923 was once again closed by Bolsheviks. During 1923-1931 the building of monastery was used by the college of ceramic production. Former cells of the monastery became occupied by a commune of artists-monumentalists. In 1931 the college was moved to Kiev. At the same year the iconostasis of the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery was destroyed.[17]

Mezhyhirya is the former summer house of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's leaders since 1935.[6] During the occupation by Nazi Germany, it was a residence of the Reich Commissar Erich Koch in a palace of the Kiev Military District commander Iona Yakir.[18] Before its privatization by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych (at that time Prime Minister of Ukraine), the residence belonged to the State recreation complex Pushcha Vodytsia.

Transformation in private property

Stepping on the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2002, Viktor Yanukovych received free of charge building #20 with area 325 m2 (3,500 sq ft) in the residence from the Fund of State Property. On April 1, 2003 Viktor Yanukovych rented the building #20 and 3 ha (7.4 acres) through the mediation of Donetsk Charity Fund "Revival of Ukraine". By the agreement, the rental price was 3.14 hryvnia per month for are on the term of 49 years for the purpose "implementation of measures for the promotion of national and international programs aimed at improving the socio-economic status".[5]

The President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych chose it as a residence after he won the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election.[6] Its current ownership is contested.[6] In 2009 Yanukovych claimed to have full ownership.[1] He has since not revealed the price he paid for the property, instead calling it a "very serious price".[19] Serhiy Leshchenko, of Ukrayinska Pravda, has claimed Yanukovych owned more of the estate then he claimed, and that he managed to do so through a complex ownership structure via a network of international holding companies that ultimately comes back to a firm called Tantalit, run by a lawyer close to the Yanukovych family, Pavlo Lytovchenko.[6] The estate's level of luxury and the reconstruction of a road to it has spawned controversy within Ukraine.[3][6] During the 2014 riots, while the President had fled to the East, hundreds of Ukrainians got to visit this luxurious palace and park for free. They did so respecting the property as they agreed it belongs to the people and not just to the former president Yanukovitch.

Official Owners

Euromaidan on the road to Mezhyhirya
Security, shoulder sleeve insignia is concealed.
No. Legal entity Area (ha)
1 Tantalit 129.0
2 Revival of Ukraine 7.6
3 Viktor Yanukovych 1.8
Total 138.4
  • Tantalit, LLC (Ukrainian: ТОВ "Танталіт")
  • Charitable Fund "Revival of Ukraine" (Ukrainian: Благодійний фонд "Відродження України")

Renters

State Administration of Affairs rents an office in the residence.[20]

Services

Featuring objects

"Honka" club house, major landmark of the modern residence.
External images
image icon Débarcadère interior
image icon Chandeliers
image icon Portholes
image icon Lavatory
External videos
video icon Yanukovych shows Mezhyhirya

Club house (Honka)

The main feature of the residence is the so-called "club house" that also is known as "object Honka" (after the Finnish company Honka).[23] The building is located on the territory that belongs to the charitable fund "Revival of Ukraine".[9]

During 2009 and first half of 2010 for home improvement there were brought materials in amount of 76 million hryvnia ($9.5 million).[9]

In 2010 speaking before the German public in Berlin, Viktor Yanukovych actually refuted his words that does not have on the territory of "Mezhyhirya" nothing other than his house. Speaking that in his personal life prefers "German quality", he noted: "It's no big secret to anyone... I built one such house, club house... It was built by "Honka", a Finnish company..."[24]

Barge

According to Ukrayinska Pravda, in 2011 for Viktor Yanukovych was designed reception house based on a barge that was brought to Mezhyhirya and moored in the inner harbor (50°37′21″N 30°28′14″E / 50.622619°N 30.470602°E / 50.622619; 30.470602). Officially, it is registered for a company Tantalit.[25] The length of the "palace on the water" is around 50 m (160 ft). Windows are decorated as portholes of round form.[23]

According to information of Ukrayinska Pravda, in the barge is designed personal office and hall for receptions that end with podium. The "palace" is decorated with wood of valuable species, gold leaf, marble and crystal.[23] In niche of ceiling of the main hall of the barge are located three chandeliers, price of which was determined by Ukrayinska Pravda at $97,000.[25]

Anti-air defense

In November of 2011 "UkrAeroRukh" granted the territory of Mezhyhirya residence of Viktor Yanukovych status of zone prohibited for flights by aviation.[26]

In December of 2012 on a breakwater in the Kiev Reservoir was deployed an anti-air fire team of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Template:Uk icon Янукович заявляет, что он - законный владелец резиденции «Межгорье» Yanukovych said that he - the rightful owner of the residence Mezhyhirya, UNIAN (7 August 2009)
  2. ^ Template:Uk icon На "Межигір'я" рушила колона автомобілів: активісти хочуть заблокувати президента On the way to the residence of the President of activists stopped by the Berkut, Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn (1 December 2013)
  3. ^ a b Yanukovych’s smooth ride to Mezhyhirya mansion, Kyiv Post (19 August 2010)
  4. ^ Euromaidan activists depart for Mezhyhirya residence, Interfax-Ukraine (6 December 2013)
    Traffic on road towards Mezhyhirya residence blocked off by police – media, Interfax-Ukraine (6 December 2013)
  5. ^ a b Leshchenko, S. Life of the state elite: freebie apartment for Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrayinska Pravda. December 29, 2009
  6. ^ a b c d e f Ukraine elections marked by curses, threats and brutality, theguardian.com (26 October 2012)
  7. ^ Yanukovych will forget way to work? For him was built an office in Mezhyhirya. Ukrayinska Pravda. February 26, 2012
  8. ^ For office in Mezhyhirya Yanukovych will pay from the Budget 100 thousand per year to its own company. Ukrayinska Pravda. March 2, 2012
  9. ^ a b c Leshchenko, S. Viktor Yanukovych: We building new country. Within Mezhyhirya. Ukrayinska Pravda. April 7, 2010. Accessed February 15, 2014
  10. ^ Leshchenko, S. Is Yanukovich going to legalize Mezhyhirya?. Ukrayinska Pravda. July 29, 2010
  11. ^ Serov, I., Homon, D., Kasianova, I. In Mezhyhirya Yanukovych has a zoo, aerodrome, and orangery. Segodnya. June 7, 2010
  12. ^ Leshchenko, S. Part II. Ukrayinska Pravda. April 19, 2010
  13. ^ Leshchenko, S. Yanukovych sheltered in Mezhyhirya... the hunting club of deputies-regionalists. November 26, 2009
  14. ^ Yanukovych rents Mezhyhirya residence for 3 hryvnia per are. TSN. June 3, 2010
  15. ^ US Dollar to Ukraine Hryvnia (USD UAH) for 6 June 2010 (06/06/2010). Exchange Rates UK.
  16. ^ Shevchenko, T. Slipyi (Blind). Collection of works in six tomes. Vol.1: Poetry 1837-1847. Kiev, 2003. 297-313; 723-725.
  17. ^ Vechersky, V. Lost objects of architectural heritage of Ukraine. Kiev: NDITIAM - Holovkyivarkhitektura, 2002. 103-104
  18. ^ Lysenko, V. Legends and treasures of the Mezhyhirya Abbey. "Collection of regional studies materials". Kiev 2010.
  19. ^ Ukrayinska Pravda exposes president’s Mezhygirya deal, Kyiv Post (6 May 2009)
  20. ^ Yanukovych rented in Mezhyhirya private office. Tochka.net. February 27, 2012
  21. ^ Berkut arrived to defend Yanukovych's Mezhihirya from journalists. ictv. June 6, 2013
  22. ^ Mezhyhirya. syohodni. TVi.
  23. ^ a b c Leshchenko, S. Secrets of Mezhyhirya. New luxury of Yanukovych. Ukrayinska Pravda. June 8, 2011. Accessed February 15, 2014
  24. ^ Leshchenko, S. German building of Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrayinska Pravda. August 31, 2010. Accessed February 15, 2014
  25. ^ a b Leshchenko, S. Inside of Mezhyhirya. First photos of unheard luxury. Ukrayinska Pravda. April 6, 2012. Accessed February 15, 2014
  26. ^ Yanukovych's residence was enclosed by the 6-meter fence and prohibited to fly over it. Mirror Weekly. November 16, 2011
  27. ^ For the first time during the years independence near the lighthouse of Vyshhorod appeared military: "Defending Viktor Yanukovych. Do you know such? censor.net. December 5, 2012
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