Yurii Boiko

Biography

Yurii Boiko is a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament of the 6th, 8th, and 9th convocations and one of the key figures representing pro-Russian forces in parliament. He was a member of the “Party of Regions” (2007–2010) and “Opposition Bloc” (2014–2019) factions. He entered the 9th convocation of parliament in 2019 representing the “Opposition Platform – For Life” (OPZZh) party, and following its ban, he headed the newly formed parliamentary group “Platform for Life and Peace.” During the Yanukovych era, he served as Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine. He features in a number of anti-corruption investigations.

During the 9th convocation, he voted for certain government initiatives, including the lifting of parliamentary immunity and part of the judicial reform. Conversely, he did not support draft laws related to defence capability, healthcare reforms, or changes in the energy sector.

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

In the fourth year of the full-scale war, he resigned from the leadership of the banned party OPZZh. Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on Yurii Boiko, stripping him of the title “Hero of Ukraine” and other state awards, although no restrictions or asset freezes were applied, unlike in the case of Nestor Shufrych, who was remanded in custody.

Supported an unconstitutional 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 involving the purchase of real estate using budget funds at 3–3.6 times the market price.

Supported Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk’s controversial bill to abolish the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013), which posed risks to national security. The project was opposed by the “Holka” civic initiative, “Ecology. Law. Man,” the “Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group,” and the Association of Ukrainian Cities, who demanded a presidential veto.

Supported the so-called “Ihor Mazepa Law” (Draft Law 12089), which provided for the “resetting” of claims regarding illegally acquired forests and coastal lands if ten years had passed since they entered private ownership.

Supported a bill limiting the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) (#12414). According to organisations like Transparency International Ukraine, the bill poses a direct threat to the independence of NABU. The European Commission considers the adoption of this law a serious step backwards.

The State Bureau of Investigation completed its investigation into a participant in the criminal organisation involved in the “Boiko towers” case and referred the case to court.

2024

Published a pro-Russian statement on social media regarding “radicals in Ukraine renaming cities,” “the prohibition of speaking one’s native language,” and “violence against people.” Following a conversation with the SBU, he apologised to Ukrainians and called Putin a war criminal. Subsequently, Yurii Boiko was excluded from the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation, and Reintegration.

Did not support the law on the prohibition of religious organisations whose governing centres are located in Russia, including the ROC (#8371). Prior to this, along with other pro-Russian deputies, he attempted to stall its consideration by submitting dozens of amendments (so-called “amendment spam”) and was among 50 deputies demanding that the Verkhovna Rada Chairman seek an opinion from the Venice Commission on the bill.

2023

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

Supported stripping four of his former OPZZh colleagues, including Viktor Medvedchuk, of their parliamentary mandates.

Journalists from Bihus.info established that Yurii Boiko owns, via offshore companies in Cyprus and the Cayman Islands, a number of energy companies in Ukraine, including “Volynoblenergo,” Kharkiv TEC-5, and several gas fields.

2022

Did not publicly support either the Russian aggression or the Ukrainian government, and on the third day of the full-scale invasion, he appeared on the air with Russian propagandist Solovyov. At the same time, he did not leave parliament and continued to head a parliamentary group that was criticised for its pro-Russian rhetoric.

Voted for the bill on the prohibition of pro-Russian parties (#7172-1), which was unexpected given his many years of involvement in such projects.

2020

Ranked 79th in the list of the wealthiest Ukrainians prepared by NV magazine ($99 million). Boiko was one of the first signatories of an appeal to the Constitutional Court to abolish criminal liability for inaccurate financial declarations and limit the powers of the NACP.

2019

Placed fourth in the Ukrainian presidential election with approximately 11.7% of the vote. His campaign emphasised the need for negotiations with Russia and a neutral status for Ukraine, drawing sharp criticism from the pro-Ukrainian public.

During the election campaign, he flew to Moscow with Medvedchuk to meet with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller.

Elected as a Member of Parliament on the party list of “Opposition Platform – For Life” (#1). Joined the Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation, and Reintegration.

2018

Signed an agreement with Vadym Rabinovych to create the “Opposition Platform – For Life” association, becoming co-chairman of the party and a presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

2015

The Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated another criminal case regarding the embezzlement of $60 million during the March 2011 purchase of tugboats by “Chornomornaftogaz” for the transport of the “Boiko towers.”

2014

Received 0.1% of the vote in the presidential election. Elected as a People’s Deputy for the “Opposition Bloc” party and became head of the party faction in the 8th convocation of the Verkhovna Rada. The Prosecutor General’s Office launched an investigation into the “Boiko towers,” in which the former minister was a witness.

2012

Appointed Vice Prime Minister for Ecology and Energy.

2011

While serving as Minister of Energy, “Chornomornaftogaz”—an entity controlled by the ministry—purchased two Singapore-made drilling rigs through an intermediary for $400 million more than the manufacturer’s price. The incident was dubbed the “Boiko towers” in the media.

2010

Appointed Minister of Energy and Coal Industry in Mykola Azarov’s government.

2007

Elected as a People’s Deputy on the Party of Regions list.

2006

Appointed Minister of Fuel and Energy in Viktor Yanukovych’s government.

In the parliamentary elections, he was among the top five of the pro-Russian “Ne Tak!” election bloc alongside Shufrych and Medvedchuk. The bloc did not enter parliament after receiving 1.1% of the vote.

2002

Appointed Chairman of Naftogaz of Ukraine.

2001

Joined Serhiy Tihipko’s party “Labor Ukraine.”

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