Alexander Kichtenko

Biography of Alexander Kichtenko

Date of Birth: 05.04.1956

Birthplace. Education. Born in Bogodukhov, Kharkiv Oblast.

In 1978, he graduated from the Frunze Military Academy in Omsk. In 1991, he completed the Frunze Military Academy (Reconnaissance Faculty).

Career. He rose from platoon commander to head of the main department - Commander of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (appointed by presidential decree of Viktor Yushchenko in February 2005). Released from his duties by President Viktor Yanukovych in April 2010.

On October 10, 2014, he was appointed head of the Donetsk Oblast by a decree from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, replacing Sergei Taruta in this role.

On June 11, 2015, he was released from his duties as head of the Donetsk OGA by presidential decree due to a transfer to another position. Pavel Zhebrivsky succeeded him in this position.

Views and Evaluations. He supported Yushchenko in the spring of 2007 during the political crisis that ended with the dissolution of the parliament of the 5th term and early elections to the Verkhovna Rada.

In December 2008, Kichtenko was listed as one of the '200 most influential Ukrainians' by the magazine 'Focus' (ranked 145). The magazine points out that the units of the MIA protect more than a thousand especially important objects. The commander oversees the special unit 'Bars', the regiments 'Jaguar', 'Cheetah', 'Tiger', as well as the special unit 'Omega', which is intended for the dismantling of criminal groups, suppression of mass riots, and participation in anti-terrorist operations.

Awards. Army General (2008). Awarded the Orders of Yaroslav the Wise, Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the III degree, Daniel of Galicia, medals, and honors.

Family. Married, has a son and a daughter.

01.04.2022