Borys Kolesnikov

Borys Viktorovych Kolesnikov (Борис Вікторович Колесніков, born 25 October 1962) is the leader of the political party Ukraine is Our Home.

He is the former secretary of the Party of Regions' presidium, former people's deputy in Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's national parliament) and head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Communications, and former deputy prime minister of Ukraine and former Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

He is the owner and president of the HC Donbass ice hockey club.

Born on 25 October 1962 in Zhdanov, Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR (now Mariupol, Ukraine).

Since 1980 he has worked in various positions in commercial enterprises in the Donetsk Oblast (province), mainly in the steel industry.

In 1991 graduated from Donetsk National Technical University majoring in Merchandising.

Beginning from 1991 – director of “Yug” trading company; chairman of the board of directors, chairman of the board of directors of Production Association “Kyiv-Konti”, CJSC (later the Konti Company).

Graduated from Donetsk State University of Management (1997) majoring in Economic Manager.

From 1998 – vice-president of football club Shakhtar Donetsk.

Kolesnikov entered politics in 1999 when Victor Yanukovych was Donetsk Oblast governor, Then another five years as chairman of the Regional Council.

First as deputy chairman of the Donetsk Regional Council.

From 2001 to 2006 he was head of the Donetsk Regional Council.

Beginning from 2001 a spokesperson of Borys Kolesnikov was Mrs. Olena Bondarenko.

From 2002 – chairman of the Football Federation of Donetsk Oblast.

Late 2003 – Head of Donetsk Regional Branch of the Party of Regions.

Known as one of the organizers of the Congress of Deputies of All Levels in Severodonetsk on 28 November 2004.

In November 2004, during the Orange Revolution, Kolesnikov stated that if Viktor Yushchenko would become President of Ukraine that "would prompt the establishment of a new federal state in the form of a southeastern republic with its capital in Kharkiv".

Yushchenko did become president and this federal state never materialized.

Kolesnikov was arrested early 2005 on charges of abuse of office, extortion and making a death threat.

Kolesnikov has repeatedly denied the charges, which were later dropped.

The party claimed to be a victim of a political persecution campaign organized by the new government.

The Party of Regions claimed the arrest was an example of political repression.

The Council of Europe called the investigation "in full compliance with European standards".

Kolesnikov has since been cleared of charges and released from pre-trial detention in August 2005 when he offered a written pledge not to flee the country.

By October 2005 Kolesnikov had resumed his job as head of the regional council.

At the 2006 parliamentary elections in Ukraine and 2007 parliamentary elections in Ukraine was elected to Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) as a member of the Party of Regions (both times listed number ten).

Kolesnikov was elected to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) as a member of Party of the Regions in 2006 and 2007 (in 2007 as No. 10 on the list ) and again in the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election (as No. 8 on the list).

In 2010 appointed to the position of the Vice Prime Minister responsible for Euro 2012.

On 9 December 2010 by the Decree of the president of Ukraine was appointed to the position of the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

Kolesnikov is considered an ally of Rinat Akhmetov; another influential Party of Regions member, industrial and politician.

Kolesnykov and Akhmetov have been friends from a young age.

After winning the 2010 presidential election Victor Yanukovych stated (on 9 February 2010) that Kolesnikov was his preferred next Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Instead of becoming Prime Minister Kolesnikov was anointed by the Verkhovna Rada (on 11 March 2010) Vice Prime Minister in the Azarov Government (responsible for hosting Euro 2012 ).

Kolesnikov was not re-appointed in the second Azarov Government and instead kept his mandate in Verkhovna Rada.

On 11 March 2010 Borys Kolesnikov was appointed to the position of Vice Prime Minister for Euro 2012.

In a 30 July 2014 interview with the FBI, Paul Manafort stated that Kolesnikov was his "principal contact" in the Party of Regions.

Kolesnikov did not participate in the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election.

Kolesnikov did participate in the 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election but did not win a seat in constituency #49 in Druzhkivka.

He finished second in this constituency gaining 32.33% of the votes; winner Valeriy Gnatenko of the party Opposition Platform — For Life won with 38% of the votes.

In May 2021 Kolesnikov became the political leader of the new party Ukraine is Our Home.