Denis Pushilin, who is the Russia-backed leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), demanded a referendum for his region to join Russia.
“A decision on a referendum on the DPR joining Russia will be made after the special military operation is completed,” Pushilin told Russian state media RIA Novosti, adding that the Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine would be complete “by the end of the year.”
Pushilin has served as Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic since 2018. Before being involved in politics, he ran a Ponzi scheme.
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He previously served as Chairman of the People’s Council, and became the acting Head of State following the assassination of incumbent Alexander Zakharchenko. The assassination came amid the conflict in the east Ukraine region.
He successfully ran for election to a full term in the 2018 elections.
Pushilin, who is born on May 9 1981 in Makiivka, Donetsk Oblast, in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, is the son of workers of the Makiivka Metallurgical Factory, Vladimir Pushilin and Valentina Khasanova.
He graduated in 1998 from Makiivka Lyceum No. 1, a school combining secondary and professional education.
From 1999 to 2000, he served in the National Guard of Ukraine in a special assignment battalion in Crimea.
He studied Enterprise Economics at Donbas National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture after leaving the military.
From 2002 to 2006, Pushilin worked for a trading firm, Solodkye Zhittya, or “Sweet Life.”
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On 29 April 2014, the European Union (EU) placed sanctions on Pushilin. Not only did he face an asset freeze, but he also was banned from entering into EU member states. The move was taken due to his involvement in the Russian annexation of Crimea.
On 20 June 2014, the United States added Pushilin to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. He is also part of the sanctions list of Australia, Canada, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Talking to Belta News on Thursday, Pushilin condemned Ukraine’s shelling in the Donetsk downtown and residential areas, saying that there are no military facilities.
“I would like to thank you for coming here. This helps to spread the truth about what is happening here, without distortion, about how the special military operation is progressing. For us, it is a liberation operation,” Pushilin said.
