Ukrainian oligarchs who are detested by Moscow

Ihor Kolomoysky

Espreso TV has rated the top five oligarchs who have ended up in Russia’s disfavor over recent events in Ukraine

Ihor Kolomoysky — for offending the Kremlin

Ihor Kolomoysky took first place in the rankings. Kolomoysky began the series of activities disliked by the northern neighbor as soon as he moved into the governor’s chair. At first he organized the hunt for the weapons and terrorists so cherished by Russia. He promised cash rewards: US $1,000 for a gun, US $ 1,500 for a machine gun, US $10,000 for each captured “green man.”

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Donetsk governor Taruta promises to close all illegal coal mines in the course of two months

Donetsk governor Serhiy Taruta promised to close all illegal coal mines in the course of two months during a meeting held with the heads of Regional State Administrations, as reported by UNIAN

“We have a map of the location of these holes. We know where are all the illegal mines are,” said the governor. He also explained that some of these mini-mines can be legalized. According to him, work in this direction had been carried out before, but it was ineffective because people did not trust the government and continued corrupt underground operations.

“All that wish to work legally will receive the rights to do so. And all illegal mines that will not undergo legalisation will be closed. Within two months we will have put an end to this matter,” said Taruta.

Taruta says Russian citizens provoking clashes in Donetsk

The head of the Donetsk Oblast State Administration, Serhiy Taruta, is dissatisfied with police actions during the clashes on Lenin square on Friday, March 14, reports news outlet novosti.dn.ua.

“I’m dissatisfied with the way police behaved yesterday,” he said. According to Taruta, the authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that no protests take place or, at least, to have them take place in separate locations. Taruta also believes that pro-Ukrainian forces should probably refrain from holding protests now due to high levels of aggression on the part of the pro-Russian forces.

Russian citizens driving separatism activity, says Donetsk governor

Serhiy Taruta, the new head of the Donetsk Oblast Administration, said that many so-called Donetsk separatists have arrived from Russia. He shared his views in an interview with ZN.ua, March 3.

“Many of these people, if I can say so delicately, are incompetent. According to law enforcement, great numbers of these protesters were sent to Ukraine through the Russian border. They are the ones providing the muscle for seizing government,” Taruta said.

Ukrainian oligarchs and businessmen speak in support of Ukrainian unity as Russia commences invasion of Crimea

As Euromaidan sent Yanukovych fleeing into Russia, and Russian troops de-facto began a military intervention in Crimea, Ukrainian oligarchs have begun speaking out in support of a united Ukraine and its territorial integrity, and against military conflict.

Henadiy Korban, a partner of Ihor Kolomoisky, believes that the oligarchs are ready to wage a war with Russia and only a united Ukraine can secure their prosperity.

That was Korban’s statement to Espreso.TV. “That’s true, policies established by the new government will shatter the economic positions of the oligarchs in Russia, and they will lose some benefits, but all this is only in a short-term perspective. I will tell you more – I have talked to Akhmetov, Kolomoisky, Novinsky – these people are no longer interested to multiply their money. They want to have a place in history. In the long run, only a united Ukraine will ensure them prosperity in a long run”, Korban says.