Ukraine leader fires oligarch Kolomoisky as regional chief

A policeman stands next to an entrance to the head office of Public Joint-Stock Company UkrTransNafta in Kiev March 20, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's president has fired billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky as governor of a key region in the east, the presidential website said on Wednesday, after armed men that lawmakers said were linked to the oligarch raided a state-owned oil firm.

Kolomoisky has been at the centre of a political storm since the masked men briefly entered the offices of UkrTransNafta on Thursday night after its director, his ally, was summarily replaced.