President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that the city of Odesa is to be placed under a newly established military administration.
Earlier in the day, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed that Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov holds Russian citizenship – meaning he will be stripped of both his mayoral responsibilities and his Ukrainian citizenship. Dual nationality is not recognized under Ukrainian law.
Writing on Telegram, Zelensky said that Odesa deserves the “greater protection and greater support” that a military administration could provide.
“Too many security issues in Odesa have remained without proper answers for too long. All effective decisions will be made. I will appoint the head of the military administration in the near future,” the president wrote.
Zelensky’s announcement followed a meeting with SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, with whom he said he discussed “the situation in frontline communities and in the south of our country, in particular in Odesa.”
Also on Tuesday, Zelensky responded to a petition launched by a Ukrainian citizen named as Ivan Kazachuk calling for an Odesa City Military Administration to be established. Kazachuk’s petition was submitted on Sept. 24, according to Zelensky’s official response – garnering 25,523 signatures.
As per Ukrainska Pravsa, Kazachuk cited Odesa’s military and economic significance – arguing that “the effective and uninterrupted operation of state authorities in the city is a matter of national security and defence.”
Zelensky responded on Tuesday morning that he had instructed General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to consider the matter.
By Tuesday evening, Trukhanov’s long-rumoured Russian citizenship had been confirmed. Trukhanov, who called the reports a “falsification,” promised to challenge the government’s decision in court.
Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Region Military Administration, shared Zelensky’s Telegram post to his own channel – but has yet to comment.