Denis Pushilin Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Date of Birth: 09.05.1982 Country: Operator

1. Early Life and Education
2. Business and Political Involvement
3. Donetsk People's Republic
4. People's Council Speaker and Minsk Negotiator
5. Head of the Donetsk People's Republic
6. Sanctions and Criminal Charges
7. Awards

Early Life and Education

Denis Pushilin was born on May 9, 1981, in Makeevka, Ukrainian SSR. He grew up in his hometown and graduated from Makeevka Lyceum No. 1 in 1998. Pushilin briefly served in the National Guard of Ukraine from 1999 to 2000 and later enrolled in Donbas National Academy of Construction and Architecture. However, he did not complete his studies.

Business and Political Involvement

In 2002, Pushilin began working at the trading firm "Solodke Zhyttia." From 2011 to 2013, he was a volunteer and later a member of Sergey Mavrodi's MMM (We Have a Goal) movement. In 2013, he ran unsuccessfully for the Verkhovna Rada as a representative of the MMM party.

Donetsk People's Republic

On April 5, 2014, Pushilin became Deputy People's Governor of Donetsk Oblast. He played a leading role in protests and the subsequent proclamation of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on April 7. He served as Co-Chairman of the DPR's provisional government until May 15, 2014.

From May 15 to July 18, 2014, Pushilin held the position of Chairman of the Presidium of the DPR's Supreme Council. He resigned in July and became Coordinator and Co-Chairman of the "People's Front of Novorossiya." In September 2014, he announced his candidacy for the November elections for the Head and deputies of the DPR Supreme Council.

People's Council Speaker and Minsk Negotiator

Pushilin was elected as a deputy to the DPR's People's Council in November 2014. He became Deputy Chairman of the Council and was appointed Permanent Representative of the DPR in the Trilateral Contact Group negotiations in Minsk.

In September 2015, Pushilin was appointed Acting Chairman of the People's Council and was subsequently elected as Chairman. He retained his role as DPR's representative in Minsk.

Head of the Donetsk People's Republic

In September 2018, Pushilin was appointed Acting Head of the DPR. He won the November 2018 elections with 60.85% of the vote. Pushilin has led the DPR since then, implementing significant changes in the government.

Sanctions and Criminal Charges

Pushilin faces sanctions from the European Union, Canada, the United States, Australia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. He is also wanted by Ukraine on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

Awards

Pushilin was awarded the Order "For Loyalty to Duty" by the Republic of Crimea in 2018.