Oleksandr Zinchenko had a controversial career that includes Soviet Komsomol leadership, business in Russia and Ukraine, participation in the pro-Leonid Kuchma Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united), survival of cancer and joining the anti-Kuchma opposition.

In 1996 he was appointed director of the Ukraine-Express information agency and worked as president of Inter TV in 1996 he also joined the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united) (SDPU(o)).

In September 2005 he resigned from the latter position in protest against corruption he alleged was taking place in the inner circle of the President, mainly accusing Petro Poroshenko.

[10] On 13 February 2009, he was appointed Director General of the National Space Agency of Ukraine,[11][12] he was relieved of this post in March 2010.

[13] Ukrainian politicians Yulia Tymoshenko, Oleksandr Turchynov, Mykola Tomenko and Borys Tarasyuk were present at his funeral.