Biography of Sergey Ratushnyak

Political Career

Sergey Ratushnyak has been the mayor of Uzhgorod, Ukraine since 2006. He previously held this position from 1994-1998 and from April to September 2002. He has also served as the head of the Zakarpattia regional organization of the People's Party of Ukraine since 2005. Ratushnyak was a former member of the Ukrainian Parliament from 2002-2006, during which he switched parties six times. He was also a former member of the Zakarpattia Regional Council from 2000-2002.
Early Life and Education

Sergey Nikolaevich Ratushnyak was born on February 17, 1961 in Uzhgorod, the administrative center of the Zakarpattia region in the Ukrainian SSR. Before obtaining a higher education, Ratushnyak worked as a furniture packer at the Uzhgorod Plywood-Furniture Combine. After graduating from the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in 1986-1987, he worked as an engineer-designer at the Zakarpattia Instrument-Making Plant. In 1987-1988, Ratushnyak served as a senior engineer at the research laboratory for the synthesis and complex study of new semiconductor materials at Uzhgorod State University.
Business Ventures

In 1988, Ratushnyak began his business ventures. From 1988-1989, he served as the director of SP (or MP) "RIO" ("Ratushnyak and Others") and from 1989-1991, he was the chairman of the cooperative "Spoiler". From 1991-1994, he was the president of the syndicate "RIO", which included 52 enterprises, such as a bank, an insurance company, and various production companies. Ratushnyak was also involved in the private taxi industry, as well as the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, flour, and sausages.
Controversies

Although Ratushnyak has faced criticism and accusations of having a criminal past, no concrete evidence has been provided to support these claims. In 1994, Ratushnyak attempted to become a member of the Ukrainian Parliament but was disqualified due to his absence from Ukraine in the two years leading up to the election. In 1998, he made another unsuccessful attempt to join the Parliament, and his opponent, Nestor Shufrych of the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united), was elected instead. Ratushnyak has also been involved in conflicts with Ivan Baloha, the vice-governor of Zakarpattia, and his brother. Despite these controversies, Ratushnyak has been reelected as the mayor of Uzhgorod multiple times.
Personal Life

Sergey Ratushnyak is married to Marina Vyacheslavovna Ratushnyak, a private entrepreneur. They have three children together, including a daughter named Svetlana who is a lawyer, and two sons named Dima and Kolya who were school students as of 2004. Ratushnyak denies claims that he owns significant assets or engages in business activities outside of his role as mayor. He has stated that his relatives have acquired assets, but he is not involved in their business endeavors.

Mayor