Sytenko Taras Oleksandrovych

Kharkiv orthopedic doctor and businessman, leader of the city's 'Samopomich', former mayoral candidate

An orthopedic doctor from a well-known Kharkiv medical dynasty (his cousin's grandfather is Mykhailo Sytenko, after whom the Spine and Joint Pathology Institute is named); he is among the top 5 wealthiest doctors in the country. At the same time, a businessman with interests ranging from sugar trade to construction and household chemicals; owner of the asset management company 'Slavutych-Invest'. Since 2014, he has headed the Kharkiv branch of 'Samopomich', served as a deputy of the Kharkiv City Council of the VII convocation and head of the faction; co-founder of the Kharkiv School of Architecture, head of the Federation of Modern Pentathlon. He ran for Parliament (2014) and for the mayor of Kharkiv (2015, lost to Kernes).

Tax and 'monopoly' allegations

Kharkiv media suspected Sytenko of tax evasion "in especially large amounts" and capital outflow: under a described scheme, his companies took loans from their own investment funds at inflated 40% annual interest, artificially inflating expenses and hiding excess profits. He was also linked to attempts to monopolize drug sales in Kharkiv region (together with businessman Fedorov) and questioned about the source of the politician's 45 land plots. In 2015, proceedings were initiated against officials of the LLC "DP Sprinter" associated with him under article 114-1 (obstruction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine activities).