Russian Drone Strike Destroys Vintage Cars of Ousted Ukrainian President Yanukovych Near Kyiv

A Russian drone attack in the Kyiv region on January 28, 2025 led to significant damage to a museum housing a collection of rare vintage cars previously owned by ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. The attack targeted the car collection at a location near Vyshhorod, which, based on regional military reports, is believed to be the vintage car museum in Mezhyhirya.

The museum, which houses Yanukovych’s personal collection of vehicles, was established in 2014 after the president fled Ukraine following the Revolution of Dignity. Photos shared by regional military head Mykola Kalashnyk showed extensive damage to a variety of rare vintage vehicles, including Moskvitch cars from the 1950s and 60s, ZAZ Zaporozhets cars, and a Gaz-14 ‘Chaika’ — a vehicle that was one of only 1,114 produced in the Soviet Union. Additionally, the attack caused severe damage to the Gaz-12 ZIM, the first mass-produced luxury car in the Soviet Union.

The drone attack sparked a fire that spread across 600 square meters, resulting in the destruction of nine vehicles and damaging 27 others. Kalashnyk also reported additional damage across three districts, including two private homes, three non-residential buildings, and three other vehicles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

The attack appears to be a part of the ongoing campaign by Russia to target Ukrainian cultural and historical sites. Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russian figure, fled to Russia in February 2014 after failing to suppress protests sparked by his government’s pivot towards Russia over closer ties with the European Union. The drone strike also highlights the continuing destruction of cultural heritage sites in Ukraine. Reports indicate that, as of December 2024, at least 1,255 such sites have been damaged during the full-scale Russian invasion.

Damage from the Drone Attack