Borys Filatov

Borys Albertovych Filatov was born on 7 March 1972 in Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro) into a family of educators. His father, Albert Borysovych Filatov, was a lecturer at Dnipro State University, while his mother, Luiza Trokhymivna Filatova, taught Russian language and literature.

Filatov's early education began in Bamako, Mali, before returning to Dnipro, where he completed his schooling. He graduated with honors from Oles Honchar Dnipro National University in 1993, earning degrees in History and Social Studies and Law. In 1997, he defended his PhD thesis at the National University Odesa Law Academy, becoming the youngest candidate of law in Ukraine at that time.

Filatov began his legal career in 2000 after receiving his law practice certificate. He worked as a legal adviser and lecturer and was involved in high-profile court cases, including those related to oligarch Ihor Kolomoiskyi. He often faced conflicts with politicians opposing him.

In 2005, Filatov transitioned into journalism, hosting the Gubernski Chronicles on Channel 9 in Dnipro and producing investigative content about former Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko. His work included several television films and a book titled The Lazarenko Phenomenon (2008).

During the 2014 Euromaidan protests, Filatov provided organizational and financial support in Dnipro, facing persecution from regional authorities. He left Ukraine temporarily due to threats against him and his associates.

Filatov was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration on 4 March 2014 and later became a member of the Ukrainian parliament after winning a seat in the 2014 elections. He was elected mayor of Dnipro on 15 November 2015 and has since initiated significant urban projects, including the construction of the Dnipro Metro.

Filatov has been involved in various social initiatives, including organizing a fundraiser for victims of a gas explosion in Dnipro in 2007. He has also chaired the CIS branch of the International Netsuke Society and supported cultural projects promoting Ukrainian heritage.

From 2014 to 2021, he was recognized in the ranking of the 100 Most Influential Ukrainians by Focus magazine for his contributions to defense efforts and humanitarian support during the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Filatov has faced controversies, including public threats against journalist Anatoly Shariy in 2014 and a dispute with Oleksandr Dubinsky in 2020, where Filatov allegedly made threats regarding pets during a quarantine period.