Yevhenii Brahar

Biography

Yevhenii Brahar became a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of the 9th convocation representing the “Servant of the People” party (No. 76 on the list as a non-partisan candidate). He joined the faction of the same name and was elected Deputy Chair of the Committee on Freedom of Speech. During the presidential elections, he served as a proxy for Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Vinnytsia region and was a member of district election commission No. 13 in the Vinnytsia region representing candidate Zelenskyy.

He became one of only four MPs to vote against banning the activities of the “Moscow Patriarchate,” which had essentially become an instrument of the aggressor state, and he abstained during the vote to recognise the Revolution of Dignity as one of the key moments in the formation of the Ukrainian state. He supported pro-Russian blogger and propagandist Anatoliy Shariy with a donation, adding the note: “not everyone in Servant of the People is as you think.” He proposed abolishing the “History of Ukraine” subject in the 5th grade, arguing that it was “superficial,” and stated that the state should not fund Ukrainian cinematography. He defended a bus driver who, at the request of passengers, refused to turn off a film in Russian, and together with Maksym Buzhanskyi, authored an initiative to abolish fines for refusing to provide service in the Ukrainian language. In a text message exchange in the session hall following the death of MP Anton Poliakov, the deputy was captured discussing his fears of being poisoned.

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

Voted for the liquidation of the independence of the anti-corruption bodies, the NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Draft #12414). After the law was passed, protests began near Bankova Street, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law that same day. Later, the President submitted a project restoring the independence of anti-corruption bodies. By the end of July, following public and international pressure, the parliamentary majority voted for Draft #13533, which restored the powers of the anti-corruption bodies.

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 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 had 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.

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.

Became one of 4 MPs from “Servant of the People” who voted against bill #8371, which provided for the prohibition in Ukraine of religious organisations whose governing centres are located in a state carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine.

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.

Appointed acting head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech, replacing Nestor Shufrych, who was suspected of high treason.

Did not vote for the decolonisation of geographical names, although he had participated in a vote on a budget issue shortly before.

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.

Became Deputy Chair of the Committee and Chair of the subcommittee on the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law, and the implementation of international legal obligations of Ukraine in the sphere of European integration, within the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech.

Following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, he did not support including the issue of increasing funding for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the session agenda.

2021

Following the death of MP Anton Poliakov and reports that he might have been poisoned, Brahar was observed in the Verkhovna Rada exchanging messages about what he should do to avoid being poisoned. He was advised to drink water only from sealed bottles, eat boiled eggs in their shells, and brew tea only with water that had been boiled in his presence.

Police stopped the MP due to an unlit vehicle license plate. Law enforcement officials suspected that Brahar was driving under the influence of narcotics and suggested he undergo a medical examination. The examination revealed no traces of drugs. Afterward, the deputy filed a complaint against the officers, accusing them of extortion. The officers stated that the MP and his assistant had threatened them. The officers were suspended for the duration of an official investigation and were later reprimanded.

Journalists photographed the deputy in the session hall enthusiastically playing a game on his smartphone during a meeting.

2020

Brahar defended a bus driver who refused a request from volunteers returning from a soldier’s funeral to turn off a Russian TV series during the trip. The deputy called the volunteers “girls with nationalist views.” He later filed a police report against one of the volunteers, demanding she be held criminally liable. “The statement was filed regarding statements that the Russian language should not be heard in Ukraine. This statement is discrimination based on language,” Brahar explained. He also stated that he had a “sharply negative” attitude toward the law “On Supporting the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language.”

Together with other MPs from the “Servant of the People” faction, he initiated bill #4528 “On Supporting the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language,” proposing the cancellation of fines for refusing to provide service in Ukrainian.

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

Supported pro-Russian blogger and propagandist Anatoliy Shariy: he sent him a donation of 1,000 UAH with the note: “not everyone in Servant of the People is as you think.”

Became one of the initiators of a resolution on the dismissal of Arsen Avakov from the post of Minister of Internal Affairs.

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

Posted a letter to the Ministry of Education on social media in which he recommended canceling the “History of Ukraine” course in the 5th grade. The politician argued that the subject was “superficial and low in information value,” and that students were already overloaded. Brahar subsequently deleted this deputy appeal.

The politician became the centre of another scandal. During a television broadcast, while answering a question from a pensioner from the Kirovohrad region about how to survive if her entire pension went toward utility bills, he stated: “If you have a pedigree dog in your yard, it can be sold at any time and you can pay the bills without any problems.” Following public outcry, Brahar apologised.

2019

On the “Rada” TV channel, he stated that Ukraine should not fund patriotic cinema. In the MP’s opinion, such films are unprofitable, and money should be directed toward films that will turn a profit, such as comedies. He also stated that he did not consider Russia an enemy, only Putin’s regime.

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

Completed an internship at the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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