| Honored military pilot recognized as a failed robber The Oktyabrsky District Court of Saratov yesterday sentenced the former chief of staff of the Engels Air Division, retired colonel, 55-year-old Viktor Gubanov, to five years in a maximum security colony. According to investigators, he tried to hire a bandit to rob the former commander of the same division, Anatoly Zhikharev. But, as the court found, the officer was unable to accomplish his plan - upon learning of his plans, the role of the raider was played by an FSB officer.
According to the Saratov Regional Prosecutor's Office, this story began in March 2002, when 50-year-old Anatoly Zhikharev took the post of commander of the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Air Division in Engels, receiving general's shoulder straps. At the same time, Zhikharev’s colleague, Colonel Viktor Gubanov, retired from the division. At the same time, the latter’s colleagues said that he himself was aiming for division commander and complained that some were undeservedly “showing medals.” However, there was no obvious conflict between Gubanov and Zhikharev, who had served together for almost ten years. They lived in the same house, their apartments were located above each other, and the neighbors did not hear the officers arguing.
Naturally, when in March 2005 Zhikharev received a new promotion - he was transferred from Moscow, appointed deputy commander of the 37th Air Army of the Supreme High Command (strategic appointment), Gubanov found out about this. Rumors spread around the military town that the general's family was going to move and was selling the cottage.
When exactly Gubanov hatched the plan to rob his former colleague and whether he was really haunted by Zhikharev’s successful promotion, the investigation was unable to establish for sure. (At the trial, Gubanov denied everything, stating that he was a victim of FSB provocation). However, in August 2005, the regional FSB Directorate learned that the former chief of staff was looking for bandits to commit a contract robbery. The military pilot had no connection with crime before and, according to counterintelligence data, asked his acquaintances, also pilots, to introduce him to the “right” person. During interrogation, witnesses testified that Gubanov stated more than once during feasts that “it would be nice to pinch the general.” As a result, detectives learned about these plans and invited one of the chief of staff’s acquaintances to become a “mediator.” According to the materials of the criminal case, on September 11, Gubanov again started talking about searching for a mercenary, to which his comrade said that he knew such a person.
An FSB operative took on the role of the bandit. During a personal meeting, the colonel suggested that he attack Zhikharev when he sells the cottage and take the money. The men entered into a deal, under the terms of which, as follows from the verdict, Gubanov demanded only 15% “for the tip.”
During subsequent meetings, which took place at the Olympia Hotel in Samara and in Engels, the customer gave the mercenary information about the division commander - where he lives, works, what car he drives and what route he drives - and photographs. At first, the customer insisted on raiding the victim on the way home immediately after the transaction. Then he proposed another scenario - to break into the apartment where Zhikharev lived, and, taking his daughter or wife hostage, demand a ransom.
In early October, as the court found, Gubanov gave the operative two F-1 grenades, an RGD-5 grenade, four light-and-sound grenades and pistol cartridges. The very next day, the executor informed Gubanov that the sale and purchase transaction of the house had been completed, but the raid did not go according to plan. Zhikharev and the buyer allegedly resisted and had to be blown up. According to the state prosecution, Gubanov reacted calmly to this news. The contractor handed over part of the “stolen” money (marked by special forces), and Gubanov was detained as he left the hotel room.
At trial, he admitted only to possessing grenades, saying that he found them in a landfill. But the court found his guilt proven for preparing a robbery. When assigning a sentence, the judge took into account mitigating circumstances - the age of the defendant, excellent references from the place of service, government awards. The defendants' lawyers said they intend to appeal the verdict. Tatiana GRITSENKO |
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