Former Ukrainian President Yanukovych Lives in Sochi Under an Alias, Investigation Finds

An investigation by the Ukrainian YouTube channel “Telebachennya Toronto” has revealed that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is living in Sochi under the name “Oleg Nikolayevich Leonov.” The journalists based their findings on Russian registries, leaked databases, photographs, social media posts, and other open sources.

According to the investigation, Yanukovych resides on a roughly three-hectare compound called “Blagodat” in Sochi, together with his long-time partner Lyubov Polezhay. Significant real estate assets—including land parcels, apartments in Moscow, and several houses—are registered in her name rather than his.

The report states that Yanukovych has been using documents in the name of “Oleg Leonov” since 2014, with “Leonova” being his mother’s maiden name. Yanukovych’s son, Oleksandr, also lives in Russia with his family but uses the surname “Sokolov.” Oleksandr’s wife and Yanukovych’s grandson own extensive real estate holdings and several million dollars in bank accounts.

Yanukovych fled Ukraine for Russia in early 2014. He was subsequently convicted in absentia by a Ukrainian court and sentenced to several lengthy prison terms on charges of treason, illegal border crossing, and illegal seizure of land.