Iryna Borzova

Biography

Iryna Borzova became a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of the 9th convocation representing the “Servant of the People” party (constituency #14, covering the city of Zhmerynka and the Bar, Zhmerynka, Lityn, and Tyvriv districts of the Vinnytsia region) as a non-partisan candidate. She joined the faction of the same name. She was elected Chair of the subcommittee on state youth policy of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Youth and Sports. At the time of the election, she was the owner of the “Smachnyi Yzhak” (Tasty Hedgehog) café chain.

The MP’s father, Naum Barulia, was a business partner of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He is the producer of “Liha Smikhu” (League of Laughter) and Director of “Drive Production.” Previously, he managed the Ukrainian branch of KVN (Club of the Merry and Quick-Witted) and two Ukrainian enterprises owned by Oleksandr Masliakov.

In the 2015 local elections, Iryna Borzova ran for the Vinnytsia City Council representing the party of former Prime Minister Hroysman, “Vinnytsia European Strategy.” She founded a namesake charitable foundation which helped engage in “buckwheat sowing” (populist vote-buying) in her constituency. Before the 2020 local elections, Borzova headed the “Servant of the People” party cell in the Vinnytsia region.

Her husband, Serhii Borzov, was the former head of the State Management of Affairs during Petro Poroshenko’s presidency. While in this position, he was involved in a scandal after receiving a service apartment, which he subsequently privatised. The value of the property reached 10 million UAH. Under Zelenskyy’s presidency, her husband headed the Vinnytsia Military Administration and ran for the city and regional councils representing the “Servant of the People” party; previously, he ran representing the “Front for Change” political project of Arseniy Yatsenyuk and the “Responsibility. Order. Justice” party. It is important to note that in 2011, he managed the KVN team “Vinnytsia Peppers.” After being dismissed as head of the Military Administration, Borzov was involved in another scandal—a fight occurred during a children’s football match where his son was playing. The MP claimed that the video posted by an activist was AI-generated.

Timeline of Key Events

2026

Voted in the first reading for the controversial draft Civil Code (15150) submitted by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk. The 803-page draft, which the Ministry of Justice had not managed to review within three weeks of registration, was fast-tracked through parliament. The legislative initiative contained provisions allowing for the carve-up of state and municipal property—forests, coastlines, and subsoil resources. Additionally, the project contained risks to freedom of speech. Following the parliamentary vote, street protests broke out in several regions. A petition demanding a veto garnered over 25,000 signatures on the first day of registration. Judges of the Supreme Court also expressed substantial objections. The draft Civil Code, which had not undergone proper discussion, effectively destroyed judicial practice developed over 20 years.

2025

A conflict occurred during a children’s football match. A man resembling Borzov struck another child’s father while using profanity. The video was posted on social media by a local activist. MP Iryna Borzova claimed the video was an AI creation, despite its realistic appearance. Notably, Borzova had previously been appointed head of the regional National Olympic Committee. Police stated the incident is under investigation.

Supported a project regarding a special procedure for the compulsory alienation of land in the Uzhhorod district of the Zakarpattia region (#9549). The initiative contained scandalous provisions creating risks for both deforestation and corrupt schemes for purchasing real estate using budget funds at prices 3–3.6 times higher than market value. The provisions violated the Constitution, and the President vetoed the bill, but MPs ignored most objections during the revision.

Voted for the so-called “Ihor Mazepa Law” (Draft Law 12089), which essentially reflected the demands of unscrupulous businesses and provided for the “resetting” of claims regarding illegally acquired forests and coastal lands if ten years have passed since they entered private ownership. Despite a petition demanding a veto gathering over 25,000 signatures, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the document. The first victim of the “Ihor Mazepa Law” was the case concerning Protasiv Yar, which was defended by the late scout and Kyiv resident Roman Ratushnyi.

Supported Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk’s controversial bill to abolish the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013), which posed risks to national security and threatened a large-scale redistribution of assets.

Reported threats against herself and her family. She claimed threats came directly from developer Volodymyr Khomenko and that warnings to “be careful” were passed on from his entourage. She appealed to the Vinnytsia region police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to investigate.

2024

Became one of 212 MPs who voted for bill #10242 on pressure on journalists and their sources. This draft law created serious risks for freedom of speech and the protection of journalists’ sources and anti-corruption whistleblowers.

2023

Supported project #7457 “On the Legalisation of Medical Cannabis,” which allowed the production of medical cannabis in Ukraine for the rehabilitation of wounded military personnel, including for the treatment of PTSD.

Voted for bill #9296-d on strengthening financial monitoring of PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons), introducing a lifetime status for top officials.

Voted for the immediate opening of electronic declarations during martial law.

The Vinnytsia Regional State Administration, headed by her husband Serhii Borzov, resumed the implementation of a stadium reconstruction project in the city of Bar. An enterprise subordinate to the administration, “Architectural-Construction Engineering,” concluded two contracts with “B.V.V.-Bud” without open tenders for additional works worth 56 million UAH. Documentation detailing prices for construction materials was not published, making it impossible to verify market conformity.

2022

Supported law #2693-d “On Media,” which provided for the relaxation of restrictions on Russian content and performers, and the regulation of online media and bloggers.

Voted against the urban planning “reform” #5655.

2021

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) continued to investigate criminal proceedings involving the head of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration, Serhii Borzov, her husband. The case was opened after the detention of the former head of the Vinnytsia Road Service, Ihor Alekseiev, while transferring 200,000 UAH as an alleged undue advantage to Borzov. Investigations were conducted into possible participation in a scheme for distributing budget funds related to medical contracts worth tens of millions of hryvnias.

2020

Headed the Vinnytsia regional branch of the “Servant of the People” party. Was included in the list of Ukrainians against whom the Russian Federation imposed sanctions.

Supported resolution #4104 on the selection commission for the leadership of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

Voted for the “Anti-Kolomoiskyi law” (project #2571-d).

2019

Voted for bill #1031 on restoring punishment for illicit enrichment and the establishment of civil confiscation of unjustified assets.

Elected as a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of the 9th convocation.

2016

“Nashi Hroshi” found that the State Management of Affairs, headed by her husband Serhii Borzov at the time, allocated a 190 sq. m service apartment to their family. They subsequently privatised this apartment for free. The NABU opened a criminal case regarding the transfer of the apartment in the centre of the capital into private ownership, but the MP’s husband faced no punishment.

Founded and headed the “Iryna Borzova Charitable Foundation.”

2015

Ran for the Vinnytsia City Council of the 7th convocation representing the “Vinnytsia European Strategy” party.

Became a co-founder of the construction company “Saibor.”

2011

Founded and headed the “All-Ukrainian Association Safe Ukraine” NGO.

2010-2019

Was the owner and beneficiary of the “Profile-N” enterprise, which was located in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In 2014, she re-registered it according to Russian legal requirements, and her father, Naum Barulia, became the beneficiary.

2006

Became a co-founder and board member of the “Source of Hope of Ukraine” NGO.

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