Borys Kolesnikov

Family

Kolesnikov was married (a wife Svitlana), had two children: a daughter Kateryna (2004) and a son Kostyantyn (1992).

Hobbies

Among Kolesnikov's hobbies are association football and hockey. Owing to his passion for hockey in 2010 Kolesnikov bought a hockey club.

"I became a 100% owner of the club in July, in the last year. I always loved hockey, since I was a kid. I remember hockey since the USSR first match played against Canadian professionals on 1 September 1972, since we were dumped the first puck on the first minute. The USSR team won then 7:3", said Kolesnikov to the journalists of Ukrainska Pravda.

In 2008 Borys Kolesnikov established a registered charitable fund.

By that time charity was made as personal gifts. Beginning from 2004 under his initiative best pupils were granted trips to Disneyland in Paris, foreign trips for war veterans were organized, a reconstruction of Olimpiyskyi regional sport complex in Donetsk was made. Significant means were given to health recovery of children, support of country's cultural inheritance.

According to the Fund aide, today's activity of organization is made within the programs dedicated to development of education, search for and support of gifted and active youth, formation of healthy lifestyle, preservation of country's cultural and historical inheritance and creation of new historical, cultural and scientific values.

At the end of 2010, Borys Kolesnikov's Foundation spent over ₴8 million (US$1 million) for charity. In 2011 the foundation spent more than ₴11 million (US$1.4 million) on the realization of the charitable programs. The funds were used to support S. Krushelnitska National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the best Ukrainian athletes, health care maintaining and other programs. In 2012 the size of the charitable investment has exceeded over ₴18 million (US$2.2 million), more than ₴10 million (US$1.2 million) were spent on the development of sport. In 2013 Borys Kolesnikov's Foundation was admitted as the leader in the National Rating of Philanthropists in the nomination "Support of sport and physical education".

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. 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.

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).

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.

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 Valerii Hnatenko 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.