Oleksandr Onyshchenko is a Ukrainian politician who rose to prominence as a Member of Ukrainian Parliament after being elected in the 2012 parliamentary elections. However, his political career was marred by accusations of corruption made by then-sitting President Petro Poroshenko in 2016. This led to Onyshchenko being stripped of his parliamentary immunity and expelled from the People's Will political party, prompting him to go into exile in the European Union.
Born on March 31, 1969, in Matveev-Kurgan, Rostov Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, Oleksandr Onyshchenko comes from a background with ties to the government. His father, Rajab Kadyrov, was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR. Onyshchenko ventured into the oil and gas distribution business in 1990, eventually establishing his own company, GK Gazovy Alyans, which became a major player in the industry.
Onyshchenko's foray into politics came with his election to the Ukrainian Parliament in 2012, where he served as a Member until his fall from grace in 2016. Despite being accused of corruption, he continued to be active in various spheres, such as his presidency of the Equestrian Federation of Ukraine from 2002 to 2013. Additionally, he made headlines when he acquired FC Arsenal Kyiv in 2013, only for the team to declare bankruptcy the same year.
Oleksandr Onyshchenko's personal life has been marked by two marriages and two children. Notably, his second wife is rhythmic dancer Ganna Rizatdinova, who is 24 years his junior. Aside from his political and business endeavors, Onyshchenko is also a professional showjumper and the organizer of Top Ukraine, which oversees beauty pageants like Miss Ukraine and Miss Ukraine Universe.
Overall, Oleksandr Onyshchenko's story is one of highs and lows, with his political career overshadowed by accusations of wrongdoing. His resilience and determination to stay relevant in the face of adversity have solidified his status as a polarizing figure in Ukrainian politics.
As Onyshchenko continues to navigate the complexities of his personal and professional life, one thing remains certain - his legacy will be forever intertwined with the tumultuous landscape of Ukrainian politics.