What is the head of the DPR Denis Pushilin known for? – Picture of the Day – Kommersant

Russian President Vladimir Putin today appointed Denis Pushilin, acting head of the DPR, who led the republic before joining the Russian Federation. Details of his biography – in the material “Kommersant”.

Pushilin Denis Vladimirovich was born on May 9, 1981 in the city of Makeevka, Donetsk region. He studied at the Donbass National Academy of Construction and Architecture at the Faculty of Enterprise Economics.

In 1999-2000 he served in the National Guard of Ukraine (on the territory of Crimea). According to media reports, while studying at the university, he began working in a distribution company and a confectionery company “Solodka Zhittya” (translated into Russian – “Sweet Life”).

In 2011-2013, he was a functionary of the financial pyramid of Sergei Mavrodi MMM in the Donbass. He took an active part in the activities of the organization, advertised profits and encouraged residents to invest money there.

In December 2013, he ran for the by-elections to the Verkhovna Rada in district No. 94 (Kyiv region) from the Mi Maemo Metu (MMM, translated into Russian – “We have a goal”) party, which was also created by Mavrodi. Gained 0.08% of the vote. Later in the documents he appeared as the leader of the MMM party.

In April 2014, during the unrest in the Donbas, he held rallies near the building of the regional administration of the Donetsk region. He was considered the deputy of the “people’s governor” Pavel Gubarev (elected by voting at a rally and had no real powers). After the formation of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), in the same month he took over as co-chairman of its provisional government.

From May 15 to July 18, 2014, he headed the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the DPR (the highest position at that time).

In May 2014, he joined the council of chairmen of the People’s Front of Novorossiya, where he was involved in the first humanitarian deliveries from Russia to the Donbass.

Since November 2014 – Deputy Chairman, and since September 2015 – Chairman of the People’s Council (Parliament) of the DPR. From November 2014 to September 2018, he was the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Region in the Trilateral Contact Group on Settling the Situation in Ukraine.

Since the end of 2017, he also headed the Russian Center, which was engaged in the integration of Donbass with Russia on humanitarian, social and cultural issues.

Since September 2018, he has been acting head of the republic. He was appointed after the assassination of the previous leader Alexander Zakharchenko. He heads the public movement “Donetsk Republic”, banned in Ukraine.

In November 2018, he won the election of the head of the DPR. According to the local electoral committee, 60.85% voted for him. Since December 2021, he has been a member of the Russian political party United Russia.

Married, three daughters.