25 Facts About Hennadiy Kernes

Hennadiy Adolfovych Kernes was a Ukrainian politician who was the 5th mayor of Kharkiv from 24 November 2010 until his death on 16 December 2020.

Previously, Kernes served as secretary of the Kharkiv City Council.

Hennadiy Kernes was born into a Jewish family, to Adolf Lazarevych Hennadiy Kernes and Anna Abramovna in Kharkiv.

Hennadiy Kernes graduated from the National University "Yaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine" with a degree in law and from Kharkiv National University of Economics with a degree in public administration.

Hennadiy Kernes started his career in 1977 at the Kharkiv plant "Miner's Light".

Between 1977 and 1979 Hennadiy Kernes studied in CTC-14 in Kharkiv and specialised in draftsman-designer on mechanics.

From 1979 to 1990, Hennadiy Kernes worked for a number of enterprises.

Hennadiy Kernes managed the production and trading company Acceptor from 1992 to 1994.

Hennadiy Kernes then became the chairman at CJSC NPK-Holding until 1999.

Hennadiy Kernes was then first deputy director of the Kharkiv branch of the Trading House Gas of Ukraine until 2001.

Hennadiy Kernes had a criminal record for theft and fraud; according to him, the accusations were "partly fabricated" by "his enemies".

In 1998, Hennadiy Kernes was first elected into the Kharkiv City Council, and served three terms there.

Between April and May 2002, Hennadiy Kernes was the secretary of Kharkiv City Council.

Hennadiy Kernes came out to condemn the actions taken by the regional governor Yevhen Kushnaryov.

Hennadiy Kernes was noted for holding a strongly 'pro-Russian' stance and for being a supporter of then-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.

Hennadiy Kernes was accused, in February 2014, by the post-revolutionary leadership of promoting separatism.

On 28 April 2014, Hennadiy Kernes was shot once in the back while hiking by an unknown assailant using a sniper rifle.

Hennadiy Kernes commented on the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea on 23 August 2014, saying "Crimea will return to Ukraine, I believe in it".

On 17 September 2020, Hennadiy Kernes was hospitalized in Germany in university hospital Charite, to be treated for his COVID-19 infection.

On 9 December 2020, Hennadiy Kernes was sworn in as Kharkiv Mayor without being present at the first session of the new Kharkiv City Council.

Two days later, it was confirmed that Hennadiy Kernes had experienced kidney failure.

Hennadiy Kernes was a father of three children, including his stepson, Haysinskaya's son from her previous marriage.

In January 2003 Haysinskaya appealed to the police department alleging that Hennadiy Kernes had injured her.

Hennadiy Kernes owned 27 dogs, assorted birds, and other animals and since 2007 had lived in a Kharkiv hotel.

In line with new anti-corruption rules, which compel all senior public officials to declare their wealth in an electronic database, Hennadiy Kernes declared in October 2016 that he owned more than $1.6m in hard currency.