You're reading: Yuriy Kravchenko

Conveniently missing link

He was interior minister when Georgiy Gongadze disappeared, and is believed to be heard on the “Melnychenko tapes” discussing the need to snuff out the investigative journalist. Kravchenko himself was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head on March 4, 2005, just hours before he was to begin providing testimony as a witness in the case.

Viewed as the key link between those who ordered and executed the killing, Kravchenko’s death was officially ruled a suicide despite media reports that his body was found with two broken fingers and other injuries. The media also reported Kravchenko was under surveillance in the days before his death.

Andriy Ralskiy, a prosecutor general’s office investigator, said the first shot hit Kravchenko’s chin and was not life-threatening. “The bullet did not touch the brain or main arteries, damaging only the teeth and soft tissues,” Ralskiy said.

“My dear ones, I am not guilty of anything. Forgive me, for I became a victim of the political intrigues of President Kuchma and his entourage. I am leaving you with a clear conscious, farewell,” read the alleged suicide note. Suicide or not, Kravchenko’s death also exposed law enforcement officials’ inability to protect key witnesses to the nation’s greatest crimes.