Arthur Herasymov

Biography

Arthur Herasymov is a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the VIII and IX convocations. He was a member of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction (2014–2019). In 2019, he was elected from the “European Solidarity” party (No. 11 on the list). He joined the faction of the same name and the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy. He has been featured in anti-corruption investigations; in particular, the “Schemes” programme revealed that the politician failed to declare a villa in Spain.

He managed Petro Poroshenko’s headquarters in the Donetsk region during the elections following the Revolution of Dignity, as well as the party headquarters during the election campaign. He subsequently headed the BPP party faction in parliament. Previously, he ran for parliament together with Serhiy Shakhov’s Donetsk team.

In 2024, Arthur Herasymov became the subject of monitoring by the NACP due to the acquisition of elite real estate that does not correspond to his official income. In particular, a house in the Kyiv region with a value understated by tens of times was pointed out. In 2021, journalists discovered that the MP had not declared a villa in Spain, which led to a NABU investigation. In August 2023, the High Anti-Corruption Court found him guilty of non-declaration, but he was exempted from punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Herasymov denies the accusations, and investigations are ongoing.

Timeline of Key Events

2025

Abstained from voting for the project concerning a special procedure for the compulsory alienation of land in the Uzhhorod district of the Zakarpattia region (#9549). The initiative contained a number of controversial provisions that create risks for both deforestation and the development of a corrupt scheme involving the purchase of real estate from necessary people at the expense of the budget at prices 3–3.6 times higher than the market value.

In the same year, he abstained from voting for the controversial bill by Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, which abolished the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013). This law carries risks for national security.

Abstained from voting for the so-called “Ihor Mazepa Law” (Draft 12089). The law provides for the “resetting” of claims regarding forest and coastal land grabs if 10 years have passed since the land entered private hands.

Abstained from voting for the bill that restricted the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and strengthened the powers of the Prosecutor General (#12414).

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating a case regarding the alleged inaccurate declaration by Arthur Herasymov of his wife’s house in the Kyiv region.

Attempted to act as a guarantor for the Deputy Mayor of Kyiv and Kyiv City Council member Volodymyr Prokopiv (“European Solidarity”).

2024

Supported the law on banning the activities of religious organisations whose governing centre is located in Russia, in particular the ROC (#8371).

In the same year, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention began monitoring Herasymov’s lifestyle following a piece by Bihus.info regarding his sharp enrichment after the start of the full-scale invasion; in particular, his wife registered a 381 sq. m house and 30 ares of land under it in her name.

2023

The High Anti-Corruption Court found Herasymov guilty of declaring inaccurate information regarding a villa in Spain, purchased in 2013 for 190,000 euros. The court imposed a fine of 51,000 UAH with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions for 1 year, but exempted him from punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

In the same year, he abstained from voting for the “On the Legalisation of Medical Cannabis” bill, which allowed the production of medical cannabis in Ukraine. The adoption of the law was advocated by the “Patients of Ukraine” civic organisation.

2022

Supported the bill on the liquidation of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv (#5369), the so-called “Vovk court.”

In the same year, he voted for the bill on banning pro-Russian parties (#7172-1).

Denied accusations that he communicated with Igor Maistrenko, an organizer of bot farms on social media. According to Ukrayinska Pravda, it was Herasymov who helped him acquire Ukrainian citizenship.

2021

Journalists from the “Schemes” programme found that in his 2020 declaration, Herasymov did not indicate a villa in Spain, the owner of which he became in 2013. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau opened criminal proceedings on this fact. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention confirmed that Herasymov provided inaccurate information in the declaration.

2019

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the “European Solidarity” party (No. 11 on the list), co-chairman of the faction of the same name. Joined the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy.

In the same year, President Petro Poroshenko awarded Herasymov the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, which drew criticism from the diplomatic corps. Volodymyr Zelenskyy cancelled this decree, Arthur Herasymov filed a lawsuit demanding that this decree of his be declared illegal, and won the case.

2017

Elected as head of the “Petro Poroshenko Bloc” faction in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

2016

Elected as head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

In the same year, he was appointed as the President’s representative in the Verkhovna Rada.

2015

Headed the subcommittee on the defence-industrial complex and military-technical cooperation of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defence.

2014

Headed Petro Poroshenko’s election headquarters in the Donetsk region and was involved in organizing the presidential, and subsequently the parliamentary, elections. As Ukrayinska Pravda reported, elections in a number of Donetsk districts were “ceded to the ‘Regionals’.” According to media reports, elections in several majoritarian districts of the Donetsk region were “ceded to pro-Regional candidates” by Poroshenko’s headquarters.

In the same year, he was elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc (No. 43 on the list). Joined the Committee on National Security and Defence.

2012

Ran for the Verkhovna Rada as a non-partisan self-nominated candidate as part of the informal “Serhiy Shakhov’s Team” association in district #51 (Horlivka, Donetsk region). According to media reports, in these elections, Shakhov’s team organized a vote-buying scheme and was involved in the beating of an opposition candidate who interfered with illegal flyposting for Herasymov.

According to media reports, during the elections, retired soldier Igor Bezler, who in 2014 joined the Russian militants in Donbas, was responsible for the security of Herasymov and another member of Shakhov’s team, Volodymyr Piddubnyi.

1994-2014

Worked at the “Ukrainian Marketing Group” company, holding the positions of deputy director, director, and general director. Served in the governing bodies of the Ukrainian Marketing Association, the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research; member of the American Marketing Association.

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