Ukrainian Parliament Mourns Loss of Orest Salamakha
Ukrainian Member of Parliament Orest Salamakha has died following a traffic accident in the Lviv region. Salamakha, who was elected to the Verkhovna Rada in 2019 representing the 'Servant of the People' party, served on the Budget Committee. Born on March 25, 1991, in Lviv, he held a degree in Management and Logistics from the National University 'Lviv Polytechnic' earned in 2013, and a second higher education in Law from the Lviv University of Business and Law, completed in 2018. His death is a significant loss to Ukraine's political landscape, coming at a time of ongoing national challenges.
Before entering politics, Orest Salamakha worked for 'Bud Invest Kom' LLC, holding positions as Supply Manager, Deputy Director for Construction, and Director. He also had professional experience in wholesale and retail trade. In the 2019 election, he ran as an independent candidate in electoral district No. 121 in the Lviv region and later joined the 'Servant of the People' parliamentary faction.
Parliamentary Work and Legacy
During his tenure in the Verkhovna Rada, Orest Salamakha chaired the subcommittee on local budgets and budgetary support for regional development. He was a member of the Ukrainian part of the Ukraine-Poland Parliamentary Assembly and participated in interparliamentary liaison groups with Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Slovenia, Estonia, China, and Singapore. Notably, during the 2019 presidential election, he served as a proxy for candidate Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Lviv region.
Salamakha was a supporter of urban planning reform, though the relevant draft law remained unsigned by the president. In 2020, the Drohobych City Council appealed to the Verkhovna Rada to recall him, indicating some contentious aspects of his public service. In 2024, according to analysis by the CHESNO movement, he was listed among MPs receiving nearly the maximum allowable compensation for housing rentals.
Orest Salamakha was married and the father of three children. The fatal accident occurred in the village of Sokilnyky in the Lviv region, where he was operating an ATV. According to the Lviv City Council, he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a bus. He was hospitalized after the crash but was pronounced dead by doctors at 8:00 PM.
The death of Orest Salamakha represents a profound loss for his constituents and the 'Servant of the People' party, where he held key positions.
His parliamentary work focused on budget policy and the development of local self-government, underscoring his important role in the legislature. Tragedies of this magnitude often prompt national discussions on road safety and the need for improved infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.