Konovalyuk Valeriy Illich

Regional politician with Moscow military education, an 'investigator' over weapons for Georgia, and a presidential candidate

Valeriy Illiych Konovalyuk is a Doctor of Economic Sciences, a People's Deputy of the III, IV, and VI convocations, a former member of the Party of Regions faction (until April 2013), and chairman of the party "All-Ukrainian Union "New Ukraine".

From 1985 to 1989, he studied at the Moscow Higher Military Command School, served in the Soviet Armed Forces in the GDR, in Berlin and Wismar, and was discharged to the reserve in 1992. From 1992 to 1993, he studied at the German Financial Academy in Munich. From 1996 to 1998, he held managerial positions in the Donetsk Regional State Administration. Thus, his career fully fits into the Donetsk power vertical of the Yanukovych era.

Commission on 'Georgian weapons' as a cover for Russia

In September 2008, Konovalyuk headed the temporary investigative commission to investigate the legality of Ukraine's arms supplies to Georgia — immediately after the Russo-Georgian war. In November 2008, together with the Russian Embassy, he attempted to organize a screening of the propaganda film "War 08.08.08. The Art of Betrayal," produced by the Russian "internet TV channel" Russia.ru. During the event, he was handed a summons for questioning by the SBU. Experts assert that all the deputy's activities within the commission served the interests of the Russian Federation. During the military conflict, he regularly appeared on the channels of the hostile state.