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Ruslan BodelanUkrainian politician
Date of Birth: 04.04.1942
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career Beginnings
- Political Ascension
- Independent Ukraine
- Mayor of Odessa
- Emigration and Return
- Personal Life and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Rostislav Stanislavovich Bodelanwas born on April 4, 1942, in the village of Berezovka, Odessa Oblast, Ukraine. His parents, Boris and Galina, were both teachers.
Bodelan graduated from the Petropavlovsk State Pedagogical Institute in 1968 and later obtained a degree from the Higher Party School under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine in 1977.
Career Beginnings
He began his career as a physical education teacher in a rural school in 1959. In 1965, he became the first secretary of the Kiliya District Committee of the Communist Youth League of Ukraine (Komsomol).
Political Ascension
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Bodelan held various positions within the Komsomol organization, eventually becoming the first secretary of the Odessa Oblast Committee of the Komsomol in 1973.
In 1979, he was appointed first secretary of the Central District Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU) in Odessa. Five years later, he became first secretary of the Odessa City Committee of the CPU.
In 1990, Bodelan was elected first secretary of the Odessa Oblast Committee of the CPU, and he served as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991.
Independent Ukraine
After Ukraine's independence, Bodelan held several high-level positions. He served as chairman of the Odessa Regional Council from January 1991 to March 1992, and as head of the Odessa Regional State Administration from July 1995 to May 1998.
Mayor of Odessa
In August 1998, Bodelan was elected mayor of Odessa. He served in this capacity until April 2005 when political changes in Ukraine led to his ouster.
Emigration and Return
Following his departure from office, Bodelan emigrated to Saint Petersburg, Russia. In January 2006, he was reportedly granted Russian citizenship.
Bodelan returned to Ukraine in April 2010, and the criminal charges against him were later dropped.
Personal Life and Legacy
Bodelan was married to Valentina Terentievna, and they had three children: Olga, Larisa, and Vladimir. He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and the Order of Merit III and II degrees.