# Volodymyr Scherbytsky

> Soviet politician (1918-1990)

**Wikidata**: [Q523723](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q523723)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Shcherbytsky)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/volodymyr-scherbytsky

## Summary
Volodymyr Scherbytsky was a Ukrainian Soviet politician who served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR from 1972 to 1989, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the republic's history. He played a significant role in Soviet politics during the Brezhnev and early Gorbachev eras, overseeing industrial development and implementing Soviet policies in Ukraine.

## Biography
- Born: February 17, 1918
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Education: Ukrainian State University of Chemical Engineering
- Known for: Serving as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR
- Employer(s): Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- Field(s): Politics

## Contributions
Volodymyr Scherbytsky served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR from 1972 to 1989, making him one of the most influential political figures in Soviet Ukraine during this period. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and also served in the Politburo, the highest policy-making government authority under the Communist Party. His leadership oversaw significant industrial development in Ukraine, particularly in the chemical engineering sector, and he implemented Soviet policies that shaped the political and economic landscape of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

## FAQs
**What was Volodymyr Scherbytsky's most significant political position?**
Scherbytsky served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR from 1972 to 1989, making him the de facto leader of Soviet Ukraine for nearly two decades.

**What educational background did Volodymyr Scherbytsky have?**
He was educated at the Ukrainian State University of Chemical Engineering, which specialized in chemical engineering education and research.

**How long was Volodymyr Scherbytsky involved in Soviet politics?**
He was active in Soviet politics for several decades, with his most prominent role as First Secretary of the Ukrainian SSR lasting from 1972 to 1989.

**What awards and honors did Volodymyr Scherbytsky receive?**
He received numerous Soviet awards including the Hero of Socialist Labour, Order of Lenin (multiple times), Order of the October Revolution, Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, Medal "For Labour Valour," Lenin Prize, and the "Hammer and Sickle" gold medal.

**What role did Volodymyr Scherbytsky play in the Soviet Union's governance structure?**
He was a member of both the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Politburo, placing him among the highest-ranking officials in the Soviet political hierarchy.

## Why They Matter
Volodymyr Scherbytsky's significance lies in his nearly two-decade leadership of Soviet Ukraine during a critical period of Soviet history. His tenure coincided with the later Brezhnev era and the beginning of perestroika under Gorbachev, making him a key figure in implementing Soviet policies in Ukraine. As a recipient of numerous high-level Soviet awards including multiple Orders of Lenin, he represented the Soviet establishment's recognition of his contributions to the state. His role in overseeing industrial development, particularly in the chemical engineering sector, had lasting impacts on Ukraine's economic landscape. His leadership style and policies during his 17-year tenure as First Secretary shaped the political environment in Ukraine during the final decades of the Soviet Union.

## Notable For
- Serving as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR for 17 years (1972-1989)
- Being a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- Receiving the Hero of Socialist Labour title, one of the highest honors in the Soviet Union
- Being awarded the Order of Lenin multiple times, the highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union
- Receiving the Lenin Prize, one of the most prestigious awards of the Soviet Union
- Leading Ukraine during a critical period of Soviet history from the Brezhnev era through the early Gorbachev reforms
- Overseeing industrial development in Ukraine, particularly in the chemical engineering sector

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Volodymyr Scherbytsky was born on February 17, 1918. He pursued higher education at the Ukrainian State University of Chemical Engineering, which was founded in 1930 and located in Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk), Ukraine. This specialized institution focused on chemical engineering education and research, providing Scherbytsky with technical expertise that would later influence his political career.

### Political Career
Scherbytsky's political career was marked by his rise through the ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He became a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics and eventually rose to become the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR, serving in this position from 1972 to 1989. This role made him the de facto leader of Soviet Ukraine for nearly two decades, placing him among the most influential political figures in the republic's history.

### Leadership in Ukrainian SSR
As First Secretary, Scherbytsky oversaw significant industrial development in Ukraine, with particular emphasis on the chemical engineering sector. His leadership coincided with the later Brezhnev era and the beginning of perestroika under Gorbachev, making him a key figure in implementing Soviet policies in Ukraine during a critical transition period. His tenure was marked by the implementation of central Soviet policies while attempting to address local Ukrainian concerns and interests.

### Central Soviet Role
Beyond his role in Ukraine, Scherbytsky held positions of significant power at the central Soviet level. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which served as the executive leadership of the party. More notably, he was also a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee, the highest policy-making government authority under the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. These positions placed him among the highest-ranking officials in the Soviet political hierarchy.

### Awards and Recognition
Scherbytsky received numerous awards and honors from the Soviet government, reflecting his contributions to the state. Among his most significant recognitions were:
- Hero of Socialist Labour, a title of honor of the Soviet Union
- Order of Lenin, the highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union (received multiple times)
- Order of the October Revolution, a prestigious Soviet award
- Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, a Soviet military award
- Medal "For Labour Valour," a civilian labor award of the Soviet Union
- Lenin Prize, one of the most prestigious awards of the Soviet Union
- "Hammer and Sickle" gold medal, a Soviet state award

### Historical Context
Scherbytsky's leadership occurred during a pivotal period in Soviet history. His tenure began during the later years of Leonid Brezhnev's rule and continued through the early reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev. This period saw the beginning of significant changes in the Soviet political system, including the introduction of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). As the leader of Ukraine, one of the most important republics in the Soviet Union, Scherbytsky's approach to these reforms had significant implications for the entire Soviet system.

### Legacy
Volodymyr Scherbytsky's legacy is complex, reflecting both his contributions to Soviet industrial development and the authoritarian nature of the political system he served. His 17-year tenure as First Secretary of the Ukrainian SSR was one of the longest in the republic's history, and his leadership style emphasized industrial development and adherence to Soviet policies. The numerous awards he received, particularly multiple Orders of Lenin and the Hero of Socialist Labour title, indicate the high level of recognition he received from the Soviet establishment for his service to the state. His role in overseeing Ukraine during a critical period of Soviet history continues to be studied by historians interested in the dynamics of Soviet republic politics and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Find a Grave
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013