Denis Voronenkov murder: Russia, Ukraine trade blame
Singer Maria Maksakova, wife of former Russian MP Denis Voronenkov recently gunned down in the centre of Kiev, has commented on the incident for the first time, 112 Ukraine news outlet reports referring to the local media. To note, Voronenkov was a former MP of the Russian Duma (Parliament).
His wife’s comments were highly personal and emotional. “I will not even think about who committed this [the murder] and who has given the order. Nothing can bring him back. I will only thing about the fact, that I have a boy, who is 11 years old,” she said.
His wife also mentioned that she does not know that she is going to do next. “He was the most important thing for me. I wonder whether I can handle this,” she added.
The singer also announced that she is under enhanced protection and is being transported with an armoured car. “If he had been protected in this way, everything would be all right,” the widow said.
Denis Voronenkov was gunned down at the front door of the Premier Palace hotel, in the central part of Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 23. The assailant at first shot him from the distance, then approached him and firing a few more shots tried to flee from the scene. However, Voronenkov’s wounded bodyguard fired several shots towards him inflicting injuries.
Preliminary investigation is underway
Denis Voronenkov moved to Ukraine with his family in October 2016. In February 2017, he was granted Ukrainian citizenship and renounced the citizenship of Russia. Voronenkov slammed Russianannouncing that he had not voted in favour of ratifying the agreement on the annexation of Crime to Russia. He also testified against the former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich accusing him of state treason.
A few days after gaining the Ukrainian citizenship, Voronenkov was placed on a Russian federal wanted-list on charges of misconduct and money laundering.
It is not clear how objectively the investigation will be conducted. Russia has already announced that Denis Voronenkov’s assassination was beneficial for the Special Services of Ukraine, as they can put the blame on Russia, and the Ukraine’s Investigative Agency has already announced about the presence of the “Russian trace.”