New pictures show eye-popping opulence of ousted Ukrainian president's

New pictures have been released that reveal the vulgar luxury that the deposed leader of Ukraine lived in.
Viktor Yanukovich fled to Russia recently following one of the worst periods of violence in the country's history and left behind a new tourist attraction - his sprawling luxury estate in Mezhyhirya, an hour's drive from Kiev.
Hundreds of people have since flocked to view the mansion, which is set in a beautiful forested estate of graceful waterways, summer houses and exotic gardens.

Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych lived in extreme luxury, with furniture and fittings that few five-star hotels would have

Astonished: Tourists file through one of the grand living rooms and take pictures

Visitors peer through the front entrance, which features a grand sweeping staircase

Yanukovich's house is stuffed with fine ornaments, including this golden leopard

Visitors rubbed their eyes in disbelief when they were confronted by the scale of the opulence Yanukovich had built around him.
The property, closed off to the world for nearly a decade, has a golf course, helicopter pad and is situated in a country where the average salary is less than £300 a month
Below the house, a garage is filled with classic sports cars worth millions, while in the exotic gardens Australian and African ostriches stretch their legs.

No expense spared: Some of the items in the palace are worth thousands of pounds

Secret: The huge property, closed off to the public for a month, contained rooms designed for entertaining guests in style

Expensive art: A classic painting hangs on one of the walls

This room is so chock-a-block with finery that at first glance its purpose isn't apparent

Intrigue: Visitors peruse one of Yanukovich's lavishly appointed rooms, as a security guard looks on

Locals said that up to 3,000 security and support staff would arrive when Yanukovich planned a major social event.
The release of the pictures comes as Ukraine and Russia inch towards all-out war, which could effect the stablity of the whole of Europe, possibly the world.
Russian troops surrounded a Ukrainian infantry base on Sunday as Ukraine's leaders mobilised the country's armed forces in preparation for conflict.
Ukraine called on Sunday for 'real steps' by world leaders for help. Ukrainian prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said 'we are on the brink of disaster' and the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin were said to amount to a declaration of war.
'Any attempt to attack military installations is in fact direct military aggression against our country and the Russian military and the Russian leadership will be held responsible,' Acting President Oleksander Turchinov said.
Crimea is now effectively controlled by Russia directly or with the help of so-called self defence units, which in reality include Russian troops and GRU intelligence personnel.