Ex-Ukrainian MP's wife tries to flee with $28M, €1.3M cash
What's the story
The wife of former Ukrainian Member of Parliament Kotvytskyy allegedly attempted to escape the war-torn country with $28 million and €1.3 million in cash stashed in suitcases. According to news outlet NEXTA, she attempted to flee Ukraine and enter Hungary through the province of Zakarpattia but was caught with the money by Hungarian border guards and was forced to declare it.
Information
Kotvytskyy has faced corruption allegations in the past
NEXTA reported the incident on its official Twitter handle on Monday. Euan MacDonald, one of the editors of New Voice of Ukraine, also tweeted about the incident mentioning that the Ukrainian MP "has faced allegations of corruption in the past."
Twitter Post
Here's the tweet by NEXTA
Ukrainian media report that the wife of former MP Kotvytskyy tried to take $28 million and 1.3 million euros out of #Ukraine via #Zakarpattya.
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 20, 2022
The money was found by the #Hungarian border guards and forced to declare it. pic.twitter.com/ZCjDlIxdwB
Details
Why was she fleeing the country?
Russia waged a war on Ukraine on February 24, following hostilities on the border for more than a month, and has been launching deadly attacks across the country ever since. According to the United Nations, 10 million people have been displaced across Ukraine as a result of the conflict, with 3.4 million fleeing to neighboring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary.
War
Russia-Ukraine war causing immense destruction, suffering
Hundreds of civilians, including children, have died as a result of the war, even as the exact number is not yet known. Ukraine claims that over 14,000 Russian soldiers have been killed. Western countries have imposed plenty of sanctions and financial penalties on Russia in an attempt to persuade it to halt its offensive. However, the war is still underway.
Information
What is happening right now in Ukraine?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that he is ready for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he is concerned that if diplomacy fails, a third world war will erupt. However, he also signaled that he would not cede Ukrainian territory, including two pro-Moscow breakaway regions. Meanwhile, Russia is bombarding Ukraine with futuristic hypersonic missiles, ushering the conflict into a bloodier phase.