Valerii Hnatenko

From 26 March 2006 to 29 August 2019, he was mayor of Druzhkivka.^[2] During his tenure, Hnatenko achieved notoriety for his early support of the Donetsk People's Republic, and gave a speech in support of the 2014 Donbas status referendums. According to local activists, Hnatenko cooperated with separatist forces and raised the flag of Russia over the city in 2014. When asked about his position on the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in 2018, Hnatenko confronted reporters, accusing them of aggression and shoving a cameraman.^[3]

on 29 August 2019, Valerii Hnatenko took the oath as a People's Deputy of Ukraine, following his election to the Verkhovna Rada as People's Deputy of Ukraine's 49th electoral district, representing Druzhkivka.^{[citation needed]} Hnatenko is a member of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on issues of budget, a member of the crossparliamentary group with the United States, and a member of the crossparliamentary group with Italy.^[4]

In 2022, following the banning of the Opposition Platform — For Life during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hnatenko was one of the founding members of the Restoration of Ukraine party.^[5]

• Doctorate in the sphere of Business Administration
• He has the title of a colonel of the Tax Inspection Police
• The order of Danylo Khalytskyii
• The Order of Saint Vladimir
• Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
• The Order of Ukrainian Cossacks
• Numerous Certificates of Appriciation of Donetsk Oblast State Administration