Ihor Terekhov

Political career In the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election, Terekhov was a candidate for the Our Ukraine Bloc, but was not elected. In 2007 was appointed the Deputy Head of Governor of Kharkiv Oblast Arsen Avakov. In the same year, the Higher Attestation Commission of Ukraine awarded him the degree of Candidate of Sciences in Public Administration.

In 2007, local media described Terekhov as a close associate of Arsen Avakov. However, in 2010, following Avakov's dismissal from the post of Chairman of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, Terekhov aligned himself with Avakov's political and business opponents, Mykhailo Dobkin and Hennadiy Kernes. thumb

In the October 2020 Kharkiv local election Terekhov was in second place on the party list and was re-elected for the party Kernes Bloc — Successful Kharkiv, the party of then incumbent Mayor Hennadiy Kernes.

On 9 December 2020, during a session of the Kharkiv City Council, Terekhov was elected as its Secretary, with 73 out of 84 deputies voting in favor of his candidacy. On 17 December 2020 Kernes died in Berlin of COVID-19. After the death of Kernes his duties were performed by City Council Secretary Terekhov.

Mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov, Acting Mayor of Kharkiv, 2021 The Kharkiv City Council terminated the powers of Kernes on 24 December 2020 In this election Successful Kharkiv nominated Terekhov as its mayoral candidate.

In May 2021, Terekhov promised that the Kharkiv City Council would appeal a ruling by the Kharkiv District Administrative Court that revoked the regional status of the Russian language in Kharkiv. However, the appeal was rejected because the City Council's legal team failed to file the documents on time and did not meet the proper filing requirements.

Terekhov advocated for reverting the name of Petro Grigorenko Avenue back to "Marshal Zhukov Avenue," despite accusations from critics that this violated the Ukrainian decommunization laws (specifically the law "On Condemning the Communist and National Socialist Regimes"). However, the Kharkiv City Council lost three consecutive court cases regarding the renaming. Additionally, Terekhov opposed the dismantling of the Georgy Zhukov bust in Kharkiv.

The election commission declared Terekhov the winner of the election with 50.66% of the votes. Observers reported numerous irregularities in the election and tried to annul the results of 9 polling stations through court.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Terekhov introduced free public transportation throughout Kharkiv. Under martial law, his administration implemented several social initiatives, including the provision of free communal meals, the establishment of public water distribution stations, and various other humanitarian aid programs.

On October 5, 2022, Taras Kremin, Ukraine's Language Ombudsman, criticized Terekhov for speaking in Russian on air, but did not impose a fine.

On November 24, Terekhov again spoke in Russian while on air for a telethon, and Kremin in turn imposed a fine of 3,400 Hryvnias for not speaking in Ukrainian. In response, Terekhov stated that "the most important matter is victory" in the war, and that he promised to "speak Ukrainian in official matters", but will continue to "speak Russian during communication with Kharkiv residents". He later made clear that he would pay the fine.

On December 29, Taras Kremin again imposed a fine on Terekhov, this time for using Russian in the mayor's social media pages. On January 12, 2023, Terekhov appealed the fine on administrative grounds, which was successful by a court decision in April. After this incident, the mayor's pages switched to using Ukrainian. In July 2023, Terekhov admitted that "the war has changed the mentality of both Kharkiv residents and Ukrainians", and that he now believes "it is necessary to speak Ukrainian".

On 18 September 2025, Terekhov initiated the creation of the Association of Frontline Cities and Hromadas of Ukraine and became its head.

In April 2026, Terekhov and his administration faced domestic criticism regarding their fiscal policies. Opponents accused the municipal leadership of prioritizing politically popular subsidized initiatives, such as free public transportation, over long-term fiscal stability. Critics and political opponents characterized these measures as left-wing populism, arguing that the public relations benefits of the programs came at the expense of managing the city's mounting municipal debt and addressing the deteriorating financial condition of communal services.

Personal life Terekhov identifies as ethnically Russian, and has said that his government documents state so as well. He has also added that his father was Jewish.

Father — Oleksandr, was a sports physician.

Mother — Viktoriia. The enterprise OJSC KhP "Kondytsioner" was registered under her name after Terekhov became a public official.

Divorced, has three children. From his first marriage — a son, Mykola (born 1995); from his second marriage — Matvii (born 2003) and Andrii (born 2006).

As of December 2021, Terekhov was in a relationship with Hanna Kuznietsova, a deputy of the Kharkiv Oblast Council of the 7th and 8th convocations.

According to his 2019 financial disclosure, Terekhov declared ₴6 million in cash savings. He also jointly owned two apartments in Kharkiv with his mother and leased a Mercedes-Benz GL 350 automobile.

Awards

Order of Courage, 2nd class (2025) – "for significant personal contribution to state-building, development of local self-government, selfless performance of official duty under martial law, and loyalty to the Ukrainian people." Order of Courage, 3rd class (2022) – "for significant personal contribution to the protection of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, courage and selfless actions displayed during the defense of populated areas from Russian invaders." Order of Merit, 3rd class (2012) – "for significant personal contribution to the socio-economic, scientific, technical, cultural, and educational development of Kharkiv Oblast, significant labor achievements, and high professional skill." Honored Economist of Ukraine (18 January 2007) "Golden Trident" Medal (2023) – Distinction of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Honorary Diploma of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (2016) Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2004) "Slobozhanska Slava" (Slobozhansky Glory) Honorary Badge of the Kharkiv Oblast Council (2016) Honorary Diploma of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration and Oblast Council (2004) Honorary Diploma of the Kharkiv City Executive Committee (2002) "For Diligence" Honorary Badge of the Mayor of Kharkiv, dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the founding of Kharkiv (1654–2004) (2004)