Oleh Kotenko
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24 December 1970
Oleh Kotenko | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Oleh Oleksiyovych Kotenko 24 December 1970 |
| Known for | Head of the NGO "Patriot Group" |
Oleh Oleksiyovych Kotenko (Ukrainian: Оле́г Олексі́йович Коте́нко; born 24 December 1970 in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast)[1] is a Ukrainian public figure. He participated in the Revolution of Dignity and was involved in military activities during 2014–2017 and following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[2][3]
On 20 May 2022, Kotenko was appointed Commissioner for the Affairs of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances at the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories.[4][5][6]
Kotenko completed his secondary education in Kramatorsk in 1988.[citation needed]
In 2007, he graduated from the Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade named after M. Tugan-Baranovsky, where he specialised in international economics.[7]
Career
From 1995 to 2004, Kotenko served as Vice President of CJSC Slavyane.[7]
From 2007 to 2011, he was Director of Liga Trade Ukraine, a limited liability company (LLC).[7]
From 2011 to 2014, he was a co-owner of Nano Comfort Technology, an LLC.[7]
From 2014 to 2015, he served as a spokesperson for the National Security and Defence Council.[7]
Awards and honours
- Awards of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, including the Medal "For Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine" and the breast badge "Sign of Honour".
- Awards from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Awards from the Security Service of Ukraine.
- Decorations of the President of Ukraine for Humanitarian Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation.
- Medal "Joint Forces Operation: For Courage and Loyalty".
- Letter of thanks from United States Senator John McCain.
- Order of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
Activities
From 2015 to 2022, Kotenko served as head of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Patriot Group.[8][9][10] During this period, he was involved in public activities, with the following priority areas:[11]
- Searching for missing military personnel and civilians, and facilitating the exchange and release of hostages in the area of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and in temporarily occupied territories;
- Locating the remains of deceased persons, as well as burial sites, in temporarily occupied territories;
- Providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian military personnel along the line of demarcation, and supporting the rehabilitation of ATO veterans and their families;
- Providing health and psychological support to children from the ATO zone.