Serhiy Taruta was named governor of the restless Donetsk region in March, an appointment dubbed one of the “world’s worst” jobs. Mr. Taruta has an estimated net worth of $479 million according to Forbes Ukraine. Born in the Dontesk region, he co-founded the Industrial Union of Donbas (ISD) which has holdings in metallurgy and agriculture. Taruta reportedly participated in the antigovernment protests on the Maidan in Kiev that led to the fall of former President Viktor Yanukovych.
Like Kolomoisky and Akhmetov, Taruta has business interests that will keep him tied to eastern Ukraine. But he recently told civilians to get out of the Donetsk area, “If you have the opportunity to leave the city, don’t be afraid to do so. The state guarantees that everyone will be cared for.”
