The bombshell investigation by Ukrayinska Pravda published on August 17, which we published in English (here), has led to an official probe by Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation, the Kyiv Post reports.
There are 84 people on a list of Ukrainian people’s deputies and oligarchs who fled after the start of the war in Ukraine, including people’s deputies Abramovich, Surkis, Stolar, businessmen Ermolaev, Vyazmikins, and many others.
As part of the investigation, the suspects will be checked for the use of their official position for illegal transportation across the border.
Many of the individuals concerned have settled in Monaco or on Cap Ferrat.
The proceedings were opened on August 17, the same day as the publication of the video, on the grounds of a criminal offence under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code, namely “Illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine.”
A few days before the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 20 People’s Deputies left Ukraine, primarily from the now banned pro-Russian Opposition Platform – For Life party led by Viktor Medvedchuk, and just a few have returned to Ukraine.
Ten pro-Russian parties have already been banned in Ukraine, and seven more find themselves in the process of being banned, Kyiv Post reports.
George Woloshyn, a columnist for the on-line newspaper, commented: “Finally, Ukrainian authorities are doing the right thing in launching a “probe”. These are people who have made their fortunes in one of the poorest countries in Europe and are waiting to see how the war will end. If Ukraine succeeds they will return in order to further enrich themselves. If Russia succeeds and they can’t cut any deals with the new masters they will have pulled out enough to live comfortably for the remainder of their lives.
There is no reason to coddle these “elites”. They have demonstrated where their loyalties lie and it is the younger generation of Ukrainians – who have fought the good fight – who will lead Ukraine in the future. It is they who are genuinely interested in the well-being of their country and the ones who deserve the title of “elite”.
These members of the “Monaco Battalion” should, at the least, have huge fines levied against them and the moneys thus acquired used in rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian warriors and ensuring the finest personal protection equipment available so that the Zhivagos, Surkises, and Abramoviches can still be made to support the war effort by contributing some of their assets to those who are clearly more deserving than they are.”
