Viktor Yanukovych. Photograph by Michael Wuertenberg/WEF
The whereabouts of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has been unknown since he disappeared last weekend, but Russian news agency RBC is reporting that he has arrived in Moscow.
Many believed he had fled to Crimea or another Russian-speaking area of eastern Ukraine, where he still maintains strong support, but in his absence the Ukrainian government issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday.
RBC claims that their information on Yanukovych’s location in the Moscow suburb of Barvikha came from a “senior Russian official” and was confirmed by “a major Russian businessman”, but it cannot be independently verified by the Descrier.
The information contradicts a statement from Ukrainian deputy general prosecutor Mykola Golomcha who said earlier today:
“We have information indicating Yanukovych is still in Ukraine.”
While the search for the former president continues, pro-Europe and pro-Moscow protesters have scuffled in Crimea, where tensions over the future direction of the country remain high.
