They might rank in the hundreds in the world leagu table, but their wealth is obscene compared to the financial state of their fellow countrymen. How much tax did they evade paying on this wealth? How many businesses did they steal (sorry, acquire by dubious means)? How many native Ukrainian employees of their businesses can afford to feed, clothe, and house their families in conditions of even basic hygene and sanitation? If they returned as little as 10% of their ill-gotten gains to the country's economy, that's over $14M if the article is accurate, it would make a huge difference to stamping out corruption and providing adequate levels of social services.

Excellent PC!

Sorry, the decimal point slipped (an old accounting trick!). If each of the above returned 10% of their net worth, Ukraine would have an extra $1.4 billion to spend on infrastructure, state salaries, welfare support, energy efficiency, guarding the borders against dugs and people smuggling... The country could do so much if this bunch of crooks didn't have their collective boot on its windpipe.

It's sad in a way that none of the billionaires, even many of those outside Ukraine, make any effort to donate some of their money to the people in their own countries. It wouldn't mean much to them financially, I'm sure. They probably wouldn't even notice. I'm not a religious person, but I do believe that if people were brought up with a bit more religion and thought for others who are less well off, these billionaires would make some effort to donate some money to the less fortunate.

natalie, to be fair, Bill Gates donates millions (admittedly a tiny fraction of his billions) to medical research and other charitable causes. Probably many others do as well but with rather less publicity and more modesty. Whether this can be said for any of the Ukrainian and Russian mob, well I cannot possible say, can I?

Well i would disagree with you PC, I think that amongst these people some have fairly took risks and purchased companies after they were privatized and made millions, whether gas, metal works, etc. As regarding the taxes, just like in the US there are numerous ways for people and corporations to cut on taxes through loop holes, what do you expect happens in UA when the tax system goes back nearly to the Byzantine empire? Don't think we should punish these people who rightfully have this money and give in into social programs, but instead work to create a fair and stable government, where the peoples votes actually matter. In turn only then Ukrainians will be able to become these millionaires and state how much they should be taxed. Lets create opportunity not take it away

PC you think Billy Gates donates money because he cares about people? He only donates cheese for a mouse trap. Did he write the Windows? I don’t think so; he had screwed other programmers and now tries to monopolies. He is very similar to Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs. Now since he made ton of money he want to appeal good to public. Alex, have you tried to buy anything that had some value in Ukraine? Ukrainian government only sold anything with value to their own families or close buddies, for pennies on a dollar. Regular folks couldn’t buy anything at the fair price, I know first hand experience. Having billionaires is not a bad thing even if they don’t pay much of the taxes, since I believe that money will trickle down to average worker.

please do not get the wrong idear about me but are these billion aires all jewish,even though I care not,but out of intreast.thankyou

Interesting that former Pres. Kuchma didn't make the list. I read one article that has him at $1.5 billion. Surprising how many millionaires are in Ukraine. Billion is a benchmark for countries with $40,000 avg. annual income. But for Ukraine where average is maybe $1,000 a year, would be upsetting to know how many millionaires (USD or even UAH) there are. I suppose hidden money isn't counted, maybe just an accumulation of assets and companies and whatever cash is disclosed, but bank accounts in Cyprus, Brunei, Switzerland, Virgin Islands aren't on the list I guess. Therefore, I suppose the figures noted above are just the tip of the iceberg. I understand that Akmetov has built a few big churches as donation, but I could be wrong.