The opulent life of Ukraine's Viktor Yanukovych laid bare for all to see
Awe and disgust as the gates of Viktor Yanukovych's luxury retreatare swung open to the people, revealing a bizarre world of excess
The opulent residence of President Viktor Yanukovych has always been a closely guarded secret - and a symbol of the alleged corruption at Ukraine's highest levels.
Inside the walled compound known as Mezhyhirya, posh mansions stood amid manicured lawns. There were parks dotted with statues, ponds with fountains and wild ducks, a tennis court, golf course and colonnaded pavilion.
As throngs of ordinary Ukrainians got their first look at Yanukovych's luxurious estate, many expressed disgust. Some brought their children for what they considered a victory tour.
At a protest last June outside the walls of Yanukovych's residence, the gates were cordoned off by dozens of beefy riot police in red berets.
On Saturday, the compound was guarded by the opposition's self-defence units. One of them, a middle-aged man, could not hide his anger: "Look how he lived, son of a bitch."
According to official declarations, Yanukovych's salary was about US$100,000 a year. The luxury of the estate clearly showed wealth far beyond that.