Investigation reveals how former pro-Kremlin president Yanukovych's family lives in Russia and fake name he uses

Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's former pro-Russian president, and his common-law partner, Liubov Polezhai, are believed to be living at an estate in Sochi, Russia. An investigation has found that Yanukovych travels under the name Oleg Leonov and that members of his family own extensive property and hold millions of dollars in bank deposits.

Source: an investigation by Toronto TV, an independent Ukrainian investigative media outlet

Details: Toronto TV has looked into the lifestyle and financial status of those close to Yanukovych.

Former officers from Ukraine's State Protection Directorate who are wanted in Ukraine and now reside in Sochi reportedly entered service with Russia's Federal Protective Service after fleeing Ukraine. They are believed to be guarding Yanukovych and his family.

The investigation also found that Liubov Sadykova (Liubov Polezhai, who lives in Russia under her maiden name), her daughter Mariia Sadykova and her sister Nadiia Marentseva travelled on the same flights as the guards.

Photos published by Liubov Sadykova on social media match previously circulated images of Yanukovych's Sochi residence – the Blahodat complex at 15 Yesaulenko Street. The three-hectare property comprises several houses, large greenhouses, a garden, a chapel, a pond, and overlooks both the sea and the mountains.

The journalists also identified a number of additional photos of the estate that had been posted online by builders.

A large nearby land plot, along with an abandoned resort boarding house, is also registered in the name of Liubov Sadykova.

According to the investigation, Sadykova was formally employed as a manager at the Tkachev Agrocomplex, one of Russia's largest agricultural businesses, between 2015 and 2025, receiving an average monthly salary of RUB 50,000 (US$640). The employment is believed to have been fictitious.

Sadykova acquired ownership of 337 hectares of agricultural land, which she then leased to the Tkachev Agrocomplex. Over four years, she earned more than RUB 50 million (US$640,000) in lease payments and nearly RUB 14 million (US$179,000) from property sales.

In total, during her years in Russia, Sadykova acquired more than 370 hectares of land in Sochi and over 2,400 sq m of property: five apartments, five houses and four other premises. Two of the apartments are in Moscow and measure 102 and 147 sq m.

The investigation also found that Sadykova registered a company called Shchedrodar in Sochi in 2024. However, according to its financial statements, the company posted a loss of RUB 2 million (US$26,000) in 2025.

The journalists also concluded that Viktor Yanukovych likely travels within Russia under the assumed name Oleg Nikolaevich Leonov.

Since 2014, Liubov Sadykova (Polezhai) has travelled from Russia only to occupied Abkhazia, Georgia. Accompanying her, alongside her security detail, was "Oleg Nikolaevich Leonov".

The journalists were unable to find any records for the individual – no registered address, employment or phone number. The only information they uncovered was an entry in a healthcare database and a date of birth – 9 July 1950 – which matches Yanukovych's.

Leonova was the maiden name of Yanukovych's mother, who died when he was two years old.

A phone number used by Yanukovych's former wife, Liudmyla Yanukovych, on Russia's Gosuslugi (Federal State Information System) portal, the journalists also found. Since 19 June 2026, the number has been listed as belonging to a deceased person. However, the journalists found no other evidence confirming her death.

According to the investigation, Yanukovych's elder son, Oleksandr, now lives in Russia with his wife and two sons under the surname Sokolov.

Until May 2026, Oleksandr reportedly had access to a facial recognition and tracking system used by Russia's secret services, including the ability to edit its records. In 2022 and 2023, he flew between Moscow and Sochi alongside Sergei Beseda, head of the FSB's Fifth Service, and his deputy, Anatoly Bolyukh.

The journalists also found that former Ukrainian prosecutor general Viktor Pshonka and his wife travelled with the FSB officials under the names Viktor Fedorov and Olga Fedorova.

During her years in Russia, Oleksandr Yanukovych's wife, Olena, acquired more than 27,000 sq m of property, including premises in the elite Benelux cottage community near Moscow.

According to Russia's Pension Fund, Olena Sokolova (Yanukovych) has officially been listed as a housewife since 2009. However, in 2024 alone, she held US$3.5 million in bank deposits. In addition to Russian citizenship, she and her two sons, Viktor and Oleksandr, also hold UAE citizenship.

The investigation also found that Yanukovych's grandson, Viktor, held nearly US$5 million in bank deposits in Russia in 2024.

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