Sergey Taruta Co-owner of the Industrial Union of Donbass corporation, president of FC Metallurg Date of Birth: 23.07.1955 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Sergey Taruta
2. Family and Hobbies
3. Career
4. Political Career
5. Scandals Involving Sergey Taruta
6. Presidential Program
7. Wealth and Assets

Biography of Sergey Taruta

Sergey Taruta, a Ukrainian billionaire, is the co-owner of the "Industrial Union of Donbass" corporation and the president of the football club "Metallurg". He has recently announced his candidacy for the presidential elections from his party "Osnova". Taruta was born on July 23, 1955, in Vinogradnoye village in the Donetsk region. He received his education at the Zhdanov Metallurgical Institute, specializing in mechanical engineering. He later studied at the Donetsk State Academy of Management, where he pursued a degree in foreign economic activity management.

Family and Hobbies

Taruta is married to Olga, and together they have two daughters. He is a private person when it comes to his personal life and prefers to keep his family away from the public eye. However, in 2017, journalists revealed scandalous information about Taruta allegedly having a mistress who is 25 years younger than him. Taruta is known for being a patron of the arts and a collector. He has a particular interest in the Tripolye culture and, together with another collector, Nikolay Platonov, he established a museum to showcase their collection of Scythian gold.

Career

Taruta's career began at the "Azovstal" plant in Mariupol, where he dedicated 15 years of his life. He started as a department manager and eventually became the head of the external economic service for the entire plant. In 1995, he founded and became the executive director of "Azovimpex," an international trade firm. That same year, Taruta also co-founded the "Industrial Union of Donbass" corporation with Rinat Akhmetov and Vitaliy Hayduk. In 2006, he became the chairman of the supervisory board of the "Dniprovskiy Metallurgical Plant."

Political Career

Taruta entered politics in 1998 when he became a member of the Donetsk Regional Council. He was re-elected as a regional deputy until 2006. From April 2004 to May 2005, Taruta served as a member of the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers. In March 2014, during the country's crisis, he became the head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. However, due to conflicts and disagreements with the government's policies towards the Donetsk region, Taruta resigned from his position in October 2014. He participated in the parliamentary elections in 2014 as an independent candidate and became a member of the Committee on Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.

Scandals Involving Sergey Taruta

Taruta denies any involvement with the "Donetsk clan," although he co-founded the "Industrial Union of Donbass" corporation with Rinat Akhmetov. His return to politics in 2014 and his appointment as the head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration were seen by journalists as influenced by Akhmetov. In 2005, Taruta was involved in a scandal with Catherine Yushchenko, the former First Lady of Ukraine. A brooch from Taruta's and Platonov's collection was borrowed and worn by Yushchenko during President Yushchenko's inauguration. After a public altercation between Taruta and Platonov, the latter died from a suspicious heart attack. In 2017, Taruta was involved in another scandal during a TV interview, where his press secretary threatened the host when asked about party financing.

Presidential Program

If elected as president, Taruta aims to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine through effective diplomacy. He plans to seek the placement of a UN peacekeeping mission in the occupied areas of Donbass and the deployment of an international temporary administration to ensure social-economic development and reintegration of the region's residents. Taruta opposes the use of military force to reclaim Crimea and instead focuses on a peaceful resolution. He promises to adopt a new constitution, with major decisions made through nationwide referendums. Taruta also pledges to fight corruption, increase average wages to 20,000-25,000 UAH, create two million well-paying jobs, and lower utility tariffs.

Wealth and Assets

As of 2017, Taruta's declared income amounted to 211,600 UAH in salary, 2.1 million UAH in interest, 240,000 UAH from property rentals, and 461,300 UAH in other income. He had 7,200 UAH and 878,700 USD in bank accounts, as well as 4.6 million USD, 560,000 EUR, and 20,000 GBP in cash. Taruta's wife, Olga, received a pension of 36,400 UAH and held 450,000 USD in cash. He also declared multiple properties, including residential and non-residential properties in Kiev and Donetsk, land plots, and several apartments. Taruta owns a Lexus car and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. In addition, he possesses a significant collection of valuable items, including vases, icons, antiques, paintings, sculptures, and more.

The presidential elections in Ukraine are scheduled for March 31, 2019, with the official results expected to be announced by April 10.