Poroshenko replaces Donetsk regional governor

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced Serhiy Taruta's dismissal as head of Donetsk Regional Administration and Oleksandr Kikhtenko's appointment in his stead.

"The president has just thanked Serhiy Taruta for his work and introduced Oleksandr Kikhtenko as the new regional administration head," presidential press secretary Sviatoslav Tseholko told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

Poroshenko announced Taruta's discharge while visiting Kramatorsk in Donetsk region, Tseholko said.

The presidential Web site has not yet published the decrees about Taruta's discharge and Kikhtenko's appointment.

Taruta had been appointed head of Donetsk Regional Administration by acting President Oleksandr Turchynov on March 2. Before this, Taruta had worked as board chairman of the Industrial Union of Donbas (ISD) corporation. At the present time, he is running in early elections to the Verkhovna Rada in a majority district in Mariupol.

Kikhtenko started serving as first deputy commander and chief of staff of the Ukrainian Interior Forces in 2001. He was the Interior Forces commander from February 2005 to April 2010.

Kikhtenko is number one on the election ticket of the party Syla i Chest (Power and Honor). The party's leader, Ihor Smeshko, was appointed a presidential adviser and head of the presidential intelligence committee on October 9.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine