Co-founder of a popular Ukrainian TV channel dies: what is known about Borys Fuksman
10 October 00:55
on October 9, 2025, a well-known Ukrainian and German businessman, co-founder of the 1 1 TV channel Boris Fuchsman. The death was reported by his cousin, producer Oleksandr Rodnyansky, noting that the cause was health problems, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“I know that there is a lot of grief in the world now. These damn wars take lives every day, every hour, every minute. But not only wars, but also diseases take their toll. My brother has just passed away. We are actually cousins, but we have always been family. From the first day of my life to the last day of his. His name was Boris Fuksman,” Rodnyansky said.
According to the producer, Fuchsman was a successful German entrepreneur who lived in Europe for more than half a century.
The producer especially noted Fuchsman’s support in creating the Ukrainian TV channel 1 1, which has become one of the country’s leading media resources.
“With his energy, ideas, and character. He never gave up. My brother always supported me and my crazy projects, the main one being the creation of the Ukrainian TV channel 1 1. I have never had a closer person. Except for my wife and children,” Rodnyansky added.
What is known about Boris Fuksman
Boris Fuksman was a media mogul, investor, and film producer. He actively supported Jewish communities and was an honorary president of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine.
Boris Leonidovich Fuksman was born on February 12, 1947, in Kyiv to a Jewish family.
In 1970, he graduated from the Kyiv Institute of Trade and Economics.
At the beginning of his career, from 1970 to 1974, he worked at the Kyiv Documentary Film Studio as an assistant cameraman.
In 1974, Fuksman’s family moved to Germany, where he continued to live, and in 1979 he founded an art gallery in Dusseldorf.
In 1990, Borys Fuksman, together with his cousin Oleksandr Rodnyansky, founded the production company Innova Film in Ukraine, and in 1995 they launched the 1 1 TV channel.
In 2005-2008, Fuksman and Rodnyansky gradually sold their shares to the Hungarian company CME, which in 2008 increased its ownership of the channel to 100% by buying back shares worth $200 million.
In 2009-2010, the channel was sold to a minority shareholder, Ihor Kolomoisky, with the final deal completed in April 2010.
In 2007, together with Rodnyansky and Russian-German businessman Michael Flicht, he founded the Cinema City cinema chain, and in late 2012 he sponsored the construction of the Hilton Kyiv hotel, owning 25% of the hotel together with Rodnyansky.
In April 2019, Fuchsman suspended his investments in Ukrainian construction, refocusing on real estate in Germany due to economic challenges. His fortune was estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars, much of which was invested in culture and media.
Social activities
Fuchsman was an active member of Jewish communities around the world:
He was a philanthropist and antiques collector, sponsor of cultural projects. He spoke on behalf of millions of Jews, supporting repatriation and charity, despite rumors of early profiteering from the problems of the immigrants.
Honorary President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (JCU).
Family
He had three daughters with his wife Lilia: Olena, Natalia, and Michelle, as well as a daughter, Daniella, from the late MP Iryna Berezhna, whom he adopted with his wife.
Borys’s cousin was Oleksandr Rodnyansky.
