Galina Danilchenko says she wants to take necessary measures to get city ‘back to normal,’ but residents demand release of missing Ivan Fedorov; Zelensky asks Bennett to intervene
Russia has installed a “new mayor” in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, after its elected mayor was kidnapped by Russian troops.
The city, now under Russian control, is strategically located between Mariupol and Kherson. The Russians took it over quickly during the invasion, but there have been protests since.
The city’s mayor, Ivan Fedorov, was taken away by armed men from a government building on Friday. Russian officials later claimed he had committed terror offenses.
The area’s regional administration said a former member of the city council, Galina Danilchenko, is now the mayor. She was previously a member of the opposition on the council.
In a video statement Danilchenko said her main job now is to “take all necessary steps to get the city back to normal.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday urged international leaders, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, to secure the release of missing mayor Fedorov.
“We appeal to all world leaders who speak to Moscow – France, Germany, Israel, and others,” he said. ” Our demand is clear: he must be released immediately.”
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