Vitaliy Khotsenko

Vitaliy Pavlovich Khotsenko (; born 18 March 1986) is a Ukrainian-born Russian politician, who serves as Governor of Omsk Oblast since September, 2023 (Acting Governor since March, 2023). He had previously held several statewide positions in Stavropol Krai, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the Donetsk People's Republic.

Biography Early life Khotsenko was born on 18 March 1986 in Dnipropetrovsk (now known as Dnipro). His father, Pavel Vitalyevich Khotsenko, led the Organized Crime department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. In addition, he led the directorate of a hotel complex in Novy Urengoy and of the Sochi National Park.

Khotsenko graduated from the Faculty of Sociology in Moscow State University, from the Singapore Institute of Marketing with a degree in Business Management and from the Specialized Institute of Jurisprudence with a degree in the field. as well as postgraduate studies at Moscow State University. After training in the military department of Moscow State University, Khotsenko attained the rank of Lieutenant. He is also fluent in English.

On 8 June 2022, the People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic approved Khotsenko's candidacy for the position of Prime Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic. That day, Khotsenko was appointed to the position by the Head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin.

On 29 March 2023, he was appointed acting Governor of Omsk Oblast.

On April 22, 2023, Andrei Turchak, secretary of the United Russia General Council, said that Khotsenko will become the party's candidate for the Omsk Region gubernatorial election in 2023.

On September 22, 2023, Khotsenko has officially taken office.

Sanctions Khotsenko was sanctioned by the US Treasury and the United Kingdom in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Awards Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II class (2022)

Order of Honour (2023)