Heorhiy Kirpa

Heorhiy Kirpa (Ukrainian: Георгій Кірпа) (July 20, 1946 in Klubivka, Khmelnytskyi Oblast - December 27, 2004 in Bortnychi, near Kiev) was a Ukrainian railway manager, statesman and politician, best known as the head of the Ukrzaliznytsia national railway company and Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications under President Leonid Kuchma.

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Political career

In May 2002, Kirpa was appointed Minister of Transport[1] by the then President Leonid Kuchma and on April 23 was awarded an honourable title Hero of Ukraine. In a publicly debated move in 2003, the President placed paramilitary railroad armed forces under the direction of Kirpa. He was a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, and the BBC described him as "one of the most influential figures" in Yanukovych's government.[2]

Death

Heorhiy Kirpa was found shot dead at his holiday home in Bortnychi just outside of Kiev, December 27, 2004.[1] The official police report states that Kirpa committed suicide.

Remembrance

Late December 2009 the Southwestern Railroad requested the Kiev City Council to rename Petrozavodska Street, which is located in the Solomianskyi Raion of Kiev, as Heorhiy Kirpa Street.[1]

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