Igor Plotnitsky

Igor Plotnitsky, an ex-Soviet army officer, was “elected” head of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic in unrecognized “elections” that took place on November 2, 2014, which also included ballots from polling stations in Russia.  Plotnitsky became the leader of the separatists in Luhansk in February 2014.  In April, he became the first commander of the so-called Zarya (Dawn) separatist battalion and in May 2014, he took the position of Defense Minister of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic.  Plotnitsky is being designated because he is responsible for or complicit in, or has engaged in, actions or polices that threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine and has asserted governmental authority over a part or region of Ukraine without the authorization of the Government of Ukraine.