"Pro-Russian politician, People's Deputy of Ukraine of the 5th, 6th, and 7th convocations, member of the Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU) faction; former Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Construction, Urban Development, Housing and Communal Services, and Regional Policy (since December 2012); former First Secretary of the Luhansk Regional Committee of the CPU. A traitor to Ukraine who is hiding in the Russian Federation and appears on Kremlin propaganda channels.

Since January 15, 2023, he has been under sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) for anti-Ukrainian activities.