Russia has appointed a “new mayor” in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol after its elected mayor was kidnapped by Russian forces.
The city, now under Russian control, is strategically located between Mariupol and Kherson. The Russians quickly captured it during the invasion, but there have been protests since then.
The mayor of the city, Ivan Fedorov, was taken away by armed men from the government building on Friday. Russian officials later said he had committed terrorist crimes.
The regional administration announced that Galina Danilchenko, a former deputy of the city council, became the mayor. Previously, she was an opposition member of the council.
In a video message, Danilchenko said that her main task now is “to take all necessary measures to return the city to normal.”
Get The Times of Israel Daily by Email and Don’t Miss Our Top Stories
By registering, you agree to the terms
New York Times correspondent Neil MacFarquhar tweeted that Danilchenko was immediately denounced as a “traitor” by regional authorities.
Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov. (Courtesy)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday urged international leaders, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, to push for the release of missing Mayor Fedorov.
“We appeal to all world leaders who appeal to Moscow – France, Germany, Israel and others,” he said. “Our demand is clear: he must be released immediately.”
In a tweet about his Saturday conversation with Bennett, Zelensky said: “We talked about Russian aggression and the prospects for peace talks. It is necessary to stop repressions against civilians: they are asking for assistance in releasing the mayor of Melitopol and local public figures from captivity.”
According to the Ukrainian president and parliament, Fedorov was kidnapped by Russian soldiers occupying Melitopol because he “refused to cooperate with the enemy.”
The Ukrainian parliament said in a statement that the mayor was arrested while dealing with supply issues at the city’s crisis center.
In today’s video from the occupied #Melitopol city in #Zaporozhye provinces can be seen as in the middle of the day #Russian Soldiers kidnap the mayor of the city, Ivan Fedorov. Video courtesy of the Office of the President of Ukraine (Kyryl Timoshenko). [Thread⬇️] pic.twitter.com/ei5cykbSYP
— Victor Kovalenko ???????????????? (@Mr. Kovalenko) March 11, 2022
Zelenskiy said 2,000 Ukrainians demonstrated against the Russian invasion in Melitopol on Saturday and demanded the release of their mayor.
“Do you hear, Moscow? If 2,000 people come out in Melitopol against the occupation, how many in Moscow are against the war?” he said in his video.
Just over 150,000 people lived in Melitopol before the start of the Russian invasion on 24 February.
In Melitopol, recalcitrant residents gathered at the occupied district administration, demanding from the Russians the release of the kidnapped Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov – video by the Governor of the Odessa region Maxim Marchenko pic.twitter.com/nCrE6OtQd0
— Miroslav Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) March 12, 2022
Earlier Saturday, Zelensky said Russia was trying to create “pseudo-republics” in areas it occupied after the Feb. 24 invasion, and said collaborators “won’t be forgiven.”
Do you appreciate The Times of Israel?
If yes, then we have a request.
Every day, our journalists strive to keep you up to date with the most important events that deserve your attention. Millions of people rely on ToI for fast, honest, and free coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
We care about Israel – and we know you do too. So today we have a request: express your appreciation for our work, joining The Times of Israel communityan exclusive group for readers like you who appreciate and support our work financially.
Yes, ladies Yes, ladies Already a member? Sign in to not see this
You are a devoted reader
That’s why we launched the Times of Israel ten years ago to provide astute readers like you with must-read articles about Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we have not set up a paywall. But because the journalism we do comes at a cost, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to support our work by joining us. Israeli Community Times.
For just $6 a month, you can support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel. AD FREEas well as access exclusive content available only to members of the Times of Israel community.
Thanks,
David Horowitz, editor-in-chief of The Times of Israel
Join our community Join our community Already a member? Sign in to not see this