You're reading: #36 Richest: Borys Kolesnikov, 48

$349 million Married with one son and one daughter Interests: public service, confectionaries, construction

In a recent video greeting posted on YouTube, Ukraine’s second richest man, Ihor Kolomoisky, and number 47 Ihor Surkis, both in a very jovial mood, say hello to Borys Kolesnikov, “the great aviator and reformer,” as Kolomoisky put it.

The oligarch buddies who recorded the video standing next to a bar, jokingly refer to Kolesnikov’s work in the government, where he serves as the deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure.

Kolesnikov’s main responsibility is preparing Ukraine for the Euro 2012 soccer championship and modernizing Ukraine’s ailing infrastructure.

To ensure easier air travel, Kolesnikov has been actively lobbying for Ukraine to join the Open Sky program that will allow Ukrainian and European Union airlines to have easier access to each other’s airspace, which means cheaper air travel.

This alone sounds like a major breakthrough, as Ukraine is notorious for its heavily monopolized and expensive air fares.

Perhaps Kolomoisky’s joking dig at Kolesnikov came because he wasn’t happy about the potential competition for his airlines: he controls Aerosvit, Dniproavia and Donbasaero.

Kolesnikov is not thinking of taking it easy, as in mid-December he promised Ukrainians the best infrastructure in Eastern Europe.

Those who travelled at least 100 kilometers outside of Kyiv would know that following up on such a bold promise would be nothing short of a miracle.

Another miracle associated with Kolesnikov is that his Konti Group, one of the largest confectionary makers in Ukraine, controlling around 14 percent of the market, is obviously not suffering from a lack of attention from him.

In the first nine months of 2010, it increased sales by almost one-third.