The Rise Of Viktor Yanukovych

Playing a guitar at home in Novy Petrovtsy (courtesy yanukovych.com.ua)

In an undated childhood photograph

At a children's Christmas festival in 2001

During a visit to a chemical plant in Donetsk in 2002.

Meeting with then-Russian President Vladimir Putin in October 2004.

Kneeling down to thank his supporters during a rally in Donetsk in January 2005.

Biking with his wife, Ludmila (courtesy yanukovych.com.ua)

Shaking hands with Yulia Tymoshenko during crisis talks in the president's office in 2006.

Welcoming his supporters during a rally at St. Sophia Square in Kyiv in 2007.

Arriving at the secene of a mining accident in Donetsk in 2007.

Yanukovych, then prime minister, with President Viktor Yushchenko in 2007.

At a conference of the United Russia Party in Moscow in 2008. - Ukraine

Waving to supporters at a congress of his Party of Regions in Kyiv.