Top 7 Richest Men In Ukraine According To Forbes (2025)

Ukraine, despite facing years of economic challenges and geopolitical instability, remains home to some of the wealthiest and most influential businessmen in Eastern Europe. These individuals have built fortunes in industries ranging from steel and mining to technology and agriculture, proving that Ukrainian entrepreneurship thrives even in turbulent times.

According to the latest Forbes Billionaires List (2025), these seven men are the richest in Ukraine, with net worths ranging from $1.2 billion to $7.9 billion. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into their backgrounds, sources of wealth, and business influence.

1. Rinat Akhmetov – $7.9 Billion

• Age: 58

• Industry: Steel, Coal

• Source of Wealth: Metals & Mining

Rinat Akhmetov stands unchallenged as Ukraine’s richest man for many years. He is the owner of System Capital Management (SCM), a massive holding company with investments spanning energy, telecommunications, and most importantly, metals and mining. His flagship assets include Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel and mining group, and DTEK, the country’s biggest private energy company.

Akhmetov’s journey to wealth began in the 1990s during Ukraine’s early years of independence, where he invested heavily in industrial assets. His resilience is remarkable—despite losing many business assets due to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, he remains a billionaire with strong international investments.

2. Victor Pinchuk – $3.2 Billion

• Age: 64

• Industry: Steel Pipes, Diversified Investments

• Source of Wealth: Metals & Mining

Victor Pinchuk is a well-known name in Ukraine’s business and political circles. He founded Interpipe, a global producer of steel pipes and railway wheels that exports to over 80 countries. Beyond steel, Pinchuk is an active philanthropist through the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, funding healthcare, education, and cultural projects.

Pinchuk also has significant investments in media, banking, and real estate. His influence extends to global policy discussions, as he frequently hosts high-profile events bringing together political leaders, business executives, and intellectuals.

3. Petro Poroshenko – $1.8 Billion

• Age: 59

• Industry: Confectionery

• Source of Wealth: Food & Beverage

Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president (2014–2019), earned the nickname “The Chocolate King” thanks to his ownership of Roshen, one of the largest confectionery companies in the world. Roshen produces chocolates, candies, and baked goods that are exported to numerous countries.

Even before entering politics, Poroshenko was a successful businessman with ventures in automotive, shipbuilding, and media. Although his presidency brought political controversies, his business empire has remained robust, making him one of Ukraine’s most influential billionaires.

4. Andrii Verevskyi – $1.4 Billion

• Age: 50

• Industry: Agriculture

• Source of Wealth: Food & Beverage

Andrii Verevskyi is the founder and majority shareholder of Kernel Holding, a leading Ukrainian agricultural company specializing in sunflower oil production and grain exports. The company supplies products to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Verevskyi’s success is rooted in Ukraine’s role as one of the world’s largest grain producers. Despite challenges from war-related disruptions in agricultural exports, Kernel Holding continues to operate globally, making Verevskyi a central figure in Ukraine’s agribusiness industry.

5. Vadim Novinsky – $1.2 Billion

• Age: 61

• Industry: Steel

• Source of Wealth: Metals & Mining

Vadim Novinsky, a businessman with both Ukrainian and Russian roots, built his fortune in the steel sector. He holds significant stakes in Smart-Holding Group, which invests in shipbuilding, agriculture, and energy alongside metals and mining.

Novinsky has also been active in politics, serving as a member of Ukraine’s parliament. His industrial operations remain crucial to Ukraine’s export economy, especially in the steel production sector.

6. Kostyantin Zhevago – $1.2 Billion

• Age: 51

• Industry: Mining

• Source of Wealth: Metals & Mining

Kostyantin Zhevago is the majority owner of Ferrexpo, an iron ore mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Ferrexpo is one of the top iron ore pellet exporters globally, serving markets in Europe, China, and elsewhere.

Aside from mining, Zhevago has had interests in banking and pharmaceuticals. His career has not been without controversy—he has faced legal investigations—but his position as one of Ukraine’s mining tycoons remains solid.

7. Vlad Yatsenko – $1.2 Billion

• Age: 41

• Industry: Fintech

• Source of Wealth: Finance & Investments

Vlad Yatsenko is the youngest billionaire on this list and the co-founder of Revolut, a global fintech company offering digital banking, currency exchange, and investment services. Although Revolut is headquartered in London, Yatsenko’s Ukrainian roots make him a prominent figure in the country’s growing tech scene.

Yatsenko’s inclusion on the list represents Ukraine’s shift toward digital innovation. His fortune comes primarily from his significant stake in Revolut, which is valued at billions of dollars.

Economic Insights: Ukraine’s Billionaire Landscape

Looking at these seven individuals, a few clear patterns emerge:

1. Metals & Mining Domination:
   Ukraine’s rich natural resources—particularly iron ore and coal—make metals and mining a dominant source of billionaire wealth.

2. Diversification for Stability:
   Many billionaires, such as Victor Pinchuk and Rinat Akhmetov, have diversified portfolios, investing in energy, real estate, finance, and media to weather economic storms.

3. Global Business Reach:
   Several fortunes, like those of Vlad Yatsenko and Andrii Verevskyi, come from companies that are competitive on a global scale, proving that Ukrainian entrepreneurs can thrive internationally.

4. Resilience in Crisis:
   Despite political unrest and war-related economic disruptions, Ukraine’s billionaires have adapted—shifting operations, exploring foreign markets, and protecting assets abroad.

Table: Top 7 Richest Men in Ukraine (2025)

Final Thoughts

The top 7 richest men in Ukraine are more than just business magnates—they are key players shaping the country’s economic future. Their industries fuel exports, create jobs, and keep Ukraine connected to the global market.

From Akhmetov’s steel empire to Yatsenko’s fintech innovation, these billionaires represent both the traditional and modern faces of Ukrainian wealth. And while their fortunes may fluctuate with global market shifts, their influence in business and society remains deeply rooted.