Oleksandr Turchynov

Former First Deputy Prime Minister, ex-head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Tymoshenko's constant "right hand" (starting with the creation of a joint political project - All-Ukrainian Association "Batkivshchyna", July 1999), failed mayor of the capital (in the early elections in Kiev he came second after Chernovetskiy).

The 47-year-old oppositionist started his career as a rollersmith and foreman at the Krivorozhstal Iron and Steel Works (specialty - metallurgical engineer), was secretary of the district committee and head of the propaganda department of the Dnipropetrovsk regional committee of the LKSMU. In 1990 he created with his companions and headed the Ukrainian branch of the news agency "IMA-Press", which published books and newspapers. In 1991 he headed the Institute of International Relations, Economics, Politics and Law, which he created, and was an advisor to Prime Minister Kuchma (1993-1994).

In 1994, he created the All-Ukrainian Association "Hromada", on the lists of which he entered the Parliament (1998), but was expelled due to the intra-party split. He received the parliamentary mandate twice more - in 2002 and 2006.

He was appointed head of the Security Service of Ukraine in 2005. After the dismissal of the Tymoshenko government by President Yushchenko, he wrote a resignation letter. Since then, Turchynov has been a consistent critic and opponent of the "Nashi Ukrainians" - accusing them of betraying the ideals of the Maidan and the "regionalists" of seeking to restore the regime ala Kuchma.

Doctor of Economics, professor, author of many monographs and scientific articles, books and movie scripts.