On January 20, 2026, a panel of judges at the High Anti-Corruption Court delivered an in absentia verdict in the case of former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, confiscation of all property, and a three-year ban on holding public office. 

The case concerns the misappropriation of 17.5 hectares of forest land in the territory of the Sukholuchchia village council in the Kyiv region, valued at more than UAH 22 million. Yanukovych committed the offense between September 2007 and January 2008, when he served as Prime Minister of Ukraine.

The HACC took into account that Yanukovych had previously been convicted by a verdict of the Podilskyi District Court of Kyiv dated April 28, 2025, and therefore imposed the sentence under the rules on cumulative verdicts. This is also likely why the court did not release him from serving the sentence on the grounds of statutory limitation periods.

Yanukovych’s accomplice was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the unlawful taking of property. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property and a three-year ban on holding public office; however, he was released from serving the sentence due to the expiry of limitation periods.

The verdict enters into legal force after thirty days if it is not appealed. 

On December 12, 2022, the HACC already decided to confiscate the assets of former President Viktor Yanukovych in favor of the state under sanctions proceedings.

The government intended to include part of those assets—specifically, the hotel-and-restaurant complex in Sukholuchchia and the residence in Mezhyhiria—into a landscape park designated as a protected monument of garden and park art. While parliament eventually established such a park in Mezhyhiria, the Sukholuchchia complex remains in limbo and, since late 2024, has been managed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.

The HACC is also hearing a case against Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr concerning the unlawful acquisition of the Mezhyhiria residence. Since July 25, 2023, the case has been at the trial stage, specifically the examination of the defense evidence.