Oleksandr Bakumov

Biography

Oleksandr Bakumov is a People’s Deputy of Ukraine of the 9th convocation, elected in 2019 from the “Servant of the People” party for district #173 (Kharkiv region). He joined the faction of the same name and was elected Chairman of the Subcommittee on Criminal Legislation and Combating Crime of the Committee on Law Enforcement.

Following the resignation of Arsen Avakov as Minister of Internal Affairs, Bakumov was named a candidate for the ministerial post, though he was not appointed. This potential appointment was opposed by the “Automaidan” civic movement. Bakumov comes from a family of career law enforcement officers. His father, Serhii Bakumov, served in the State Automobile Inspectorate (DAI) for over 20 years and later served as an advisor to Arsen Avakov during his time as Minister of Internal Affairs. His brother, Denys Bakumov, previously headed the Regional Service Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kharkiv region and served as the head of the Main Directorate of the State Food and Consumer Service in the Kharkiv region.

The MP was previously married to the daughter of Volodymyr Skorobahach, a former Deputy Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council and an associate of the late Kharkiv mayor Hennadii Kernes. The couple was married for seven years.

Bakumov also has experience in the State Border Guard Service; he was mobilised in 2015 and served during the ATO. He holds the rank of captain.

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, noting that the draft effectively destroyed judicial practice developed over 20 years.

2025

Elected Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigative Commission on investigating potential violations of Ukrainian law in the implementation of state defence measures.

At the beginning of the year, he spoke in parliament regarding human rights violations during mobilisation efforts in Kharkiv. Subsequently, he regularly posted videos on his channels concerning “TCC crimes,” which is unusual for an MP from the ruling party.

Was one of the initiators of the bill on introducing criminal liability for violations of defence and mobilisation legislation committed by heads of TCCs and members of medical commissions (#12442).

Elected a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine.

Supported the bill on restoring the openness of parliamentary committees (#11321).

Voted for the unconstitutional project regarding the special procedure for the compulsory alienation of land in the Uzhhorod district of Zakarpattia (#9549), which created risks for deforestation and corrupt land acquisition schemes.

Supported Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk’s controversial bill to abolish the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013), a move opposed by the “Holka” initiative, “Ecology. Law. Man,” the “Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group,” and the Association of Ukrainian Cities due to national security risks.

Supported the “Ihor Mazepa Law” (#12089), which provided for the “resetting” of claims regarding illegally acquired forests and coastal lands.

Supported bill #12320, which critics—including DEJURE, “Holka,” the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, and the CHESNO movement—claimed introduced elements of censorship by threatening journalists and activists with administrative liability for equating clients with their lawyers.

Abstained during the vote on bill #12414, which limited the powers of the NABU and SAPO while strengthening the Prosecutor General, citing procedural violations and threats to anti-corruption independence. Later, he supported President Zelenskyy’s bill #13533, which restored the powers of these bodies.

2024

Elected Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Special Commission on the use of state budget funds for fortification structures and the purchase of UAVs and electronic warfare equipment. The commission’s report was unanimously supported by parliament and its work was concluded on December 19.

Supported the law banning religious organizations with ties to Russia, including the UOC-MP (#8371).

Voted for bill #9627 regarding the simplification of changing the designated use of land from agricultural to industrial, which experts warned contains significant corruption risks.

Assisted residents of Kharkiv in protecting local forests from destruction by submitting parliamentary inquiries to the National Police and the Prosecutor’s Office.

2023

Elected Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Special Commission on International Humanitarian and Criminal Law during the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Awarded the academic rank of professor.

Supported the “Medical Cannabis Legalization” bill (#7457).

Supported the decolonisation bill (#7253).

2022

Became embroiled in a scandal during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions when he attended the birthday party of his former father-in-law, Volodymyr Skorobahach, in a nightclub.

Was one of the initiators of the controversial bill #7351, which would have allowed for the use of lethal force against soldiers for insubordination or desertion. The bill was withdrawn from consideration following public backlash.

Abstained from voting on the urban planning “reform” (#5655), which was heavily criticised by the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Supported the liquidation of the “Wolf Court” (District Administrative Court of Kyiv) (#5369) and the ban on pro-Russian parties (#7172-1).

2021

Defended his doctoral dissertation in law.

Joined the “Razumna Polityka” (Reasonable Policy) inter-factional association created by Dmytro Razumkov.

2019

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the “Servant of the People” party (district #173, Kharkiv region).

Joined the Commission on Legal Reform under the President of Ukraine.

Voted for the bill criminalising “button-pushing” (proxy voting) by MPs (#2148).

2018

Became Vice-Rector of the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs.

2017

Obtained an attorney’s license and became a member of the National Association of Advocates of Ukraine.

2016

Began working as an Associate Professor at the Department of Constitutional and International Law at the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs.

2013

Married Karina Skorobahach. The couple divorced in 2020.

2012

Completed postgraduate studies and defended his candidate of legal sciences dissertation; began working as an assistant at the Department of Constitutional Law of Ukraine at the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University.

2005-2011

Studied at the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, focusing on law, finance, and history.

He was born into a family of Ministry of Internal Affairs employees. His father, Serhii Bakumov (1958–2015), was the Deputy Chief of the State Traffic Inspectorate (DAI) in the Kharkiv region, an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov, and the Director of the Department of Logistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. His brother, Denys Bakumov, headed the Regional Service Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Kharkiv region and served as the Head of the Main Directorate of the State Food and Consumer Service in the Kharkiv region.

The editorial team of “Gwara Media” contributed to the creation of this profile.

If, in your opinion, this profile contains inaccurate information, please contact us in writing at ngo.holka@gmail.com. The team of the Holka civic initiative will review your submission and provide a response.