Zelenskyy Revokes Odesa Mayor’s Citizenship

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially stripped Gennadiy Trukhanov, the mayor of Odesa, of his Ukrainian citizenship amid allegations that he holds a Russian passport. In his place, Zelenskyy has appointed a military administration to govern Ukraine’s largest port city, which has a population of approximately one million.

The decision was announced by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) on Telegram, citing a decree signed by the president. The SBU accused Trukhanov of “possessing a valid international passport from the aggressor country.”

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Legal and Security Context

Under Ukrainian law, citizens are prohibited from holding Russian citizenship—a measure intensified after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trukhanov’s alleged dual citizenship could lead to deportation from the country.

President Zelenskyy emphasized the national security rationale for the move, noting that the SBU had reported on “countering Russian agent networks and collaborators in the front-line and border regions, as well as in the south of our country.” He added, “Far too many security issues in Odesa have remained unanswered for far too long.”

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Trukhanov Denies Allegations

Trukhanov, a former member of parliament who has served as Odesa’s mayor since 2014, has consistently denied possessing Russian citizenship. In a video message on Telegram, he asserted, “I have never received a Russian passport. I am a Ukrainian citizen.”

Despite the revocation, Trukhanov stated he would “continue to perform the duties of elected mayor” as long as possible and intends to challenge the decision in court. Social media posts in Ukraine have circulated images allegedly showing a Russian passport in his name.

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Political Background

Trukhanov was once considered pro-Russian but shifted his stance following Russia’s 2022 invasion, publicly condemning Moscow while working to defend Odesa and support the Ukrainian army.

Sources indicate that Zelenskyy has also revoked the citizenship of two other individuals allegedly holding Russian passports. Local media reports identify them as Ukrainian ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, a known supporter of Vladimir Putin, and former politician Oleg Tsaryov, alleged to have collaborated with Russia.

Polunin, born in southern Ukraine, acquired Russian citizenship in 2018, supported Russia’s invasion in 2022, and previously backed the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

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Broader Pattern of Citizenship Revocations

This decision follows a series of high-profile revocations by Zelenskyy. In July, the president revoked the citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy, leader of the formerly Moscow-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as part of wider measures against perceived Russian collaborators.

The move reflects Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and prevent Russian influence within critical regions and public offices, particularly in frontline and southern areas.