Nikolay Bortsov
Nikolay Ivanovich Bortsov | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 May 1945 Russia |
| Died | 23 April 2023 (aged 77) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman |
| Years active | 1981–2023 |
| Known for | Deputy of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th State Dumas; majority owner of Lebedyansky cannery |
Nikolay Ivanovich Bortsov (; 8 May 1945 – 23 April 2023) was a Russian statesman who held the position of deputy across the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th State Duma sessions.
Biography
Having lost his father during World War II, Bortsov was raised by his mother and grandmother. While pursuing his education at an evening school, he worked as a loader in a pasta manufacturing plant. He completed his studies at Michurinsk Technological College in 1969 and later obtained a second qualification from the All-Russian Correspondence Institute of Finance and Economics in 1980.
After fulfilling his military duties, he took up employment as a mechanic at a Lebedyan winery.
Bortsov passed away on 23 April 2023 at the age of 77.
Career
In 1981, Bortsov became the Director of the Lebedyansky Cannery. Alongside his son Yuri in 1992, they acquired majority ownership of Lebedyansky. By 2003, this enterprise was recognized as the third largest juice producer in Russia. The company was eventually sold to PepsiCo and The Pepsi Bottling Group in 2008.
Together with his son, he established a charitable foundation in 2004 that bears their name. This organization concentrates on the restoration of Russian Orthodox Church buildings, assistance to war veterans, and support for scientific research and educational initiatives.
Beginning in 2003, Nikolay Bortsov represented United Russia as a State Duma deputy, serving continuously through the 4th to the 8th convocations until September 2021.
Wealth
Forbes included Bortsov among the top two hundred wealthiest entrepreneurs in Russia in 2021.
Sanctions
In response to Russia's military actions in Ukraine, Bortsov was placed on the European Union's sanctions list on 23 February 2022 due to his endorsement of policies compromising Ukraine's sovereignty. The United States followed suit on 24 March 2022, imposing sanctions against him and other members of the Duma for supporting Kremlin measures that violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Following these actions, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Ukraine, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom also enacted sanctions against Bortsov linked to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Awards and honours
- Order of the Badge of Honour (1986)
- Order of Lenin (1991)
- Order of Honour (2003)
- Order of Friendship (2020)
- Official recognition from the Government of the Russian Federation (2019)
- First honorary citizen title of Lebedyan (2007)
- Honorary citizenship of Lebedyansky District (2013)
- Badge awarded "For services to the city of Lipetsk"