MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to comment on media reports that Russia is allegedly holding talks with Kiev on changing the leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics (DPR and LPR).

"I will leave this without comments. I do not have any information," Peskov told reporters on Monday.

Several media reports said earlier that Kiev supported the proposal to appoint businessman Rinat Akhmetov and politician Yury Boyko as LPR and DPR heads respectively. Reports added that Russia has not yet provided a response.

Ukraine's richest

Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine's richest man, derives profits from more than 90 Ukrainian enterprises controlled by the country’s largest management company, System Capital Management.

Akhmetov’s major assets include Azovstal steelmaker, the Mariupol Iron and Steel Works, the Khartsyz Pipe Plant, First Ukrainian International Bank, Aska insurance company, Segodnya Multimedia publishing holding, TRK Ukraina TV Channel, Astelit mobile firm operating under Life brand name, Shakhtyor football club and the Gefest network of filling stations.

Enterprises managed by System Capital Management employ over 160,000 people.