Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly revoked the citizenship of Odesa mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov, amid renewed scrutiny over alleged ties between local officials and Russia.
A source familiar with the decision told Reuters that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship from Trukhanov on Tuesday, citing confirmation that the long-serving mayor also holds Russian citizenship. The source requested anonymity because the information had not been publicly announced.
The move is the latest in a series of actions by Kyiv aimed at tightening national loyalty laws and rooting out suspected dual citizens occupying sensitive political positions in Ukraine.
Trukhanov, who has governed the strategically important Black Sea port since 2014, has repeatedly denied holding a Russian passport. He has not yet publicly commented on the latest development.
The decision that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship highlights the government’s effort to show political firmness as Ukraine continues to face Russia’s full-scale invasion, now entering its third year.
Officials close to Ukraine’s presidential office have described the revocation as part of a broader campaign to ensure that senior municipal figures cannot maintain conflicting national allegiances.
According to Ukrainian law, dual citizenship is not officially recognized, and those found to possess another nationality can lose their Ukrainian citizenship by presidential decree.
In past years, speculation about Trukhanov’s Russian citizenship has repeatedly surfaced in local media and anti-corruption reports, though he has consistently dismissed the claims as politically motivated.
Trukhanov, a former lawmaker, rose to prominence during a turbulent period in Ukraine politics, maintaining control of Odesa through multiple election cycles despite numerous investigations into his business interests.
He has long faced allegations of corruption, including a high-profile case in 2018 where prosecutors accused him of embezzling public funds through a property purchase scheme. Trukhanov denied wrongdoing and was later acquitted.
For Zelenskyy, the case underscores his continued drive to purge Ukraine’s political and administrative system of figures seen as compromising the country’s sovereignty or integrity amid war conditions.
By ensuring that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship from officials suspected of dual nationality, Kyiv aims to reinforce public trust and national unity at a time of mounting domestic and international pressure.
Political analysts note that the timing of the move is significant, coming just weeks before Ukraine’s parliament is set to debate anti-corruption measures linked to European Union accession reforms.
The European Commission has urged Kyiv to strengthen transparency and governance standards before formal negotiations on EU membership can begin, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating accountability in Ukraine politics.
Analysts also suggest the revocation may serve as a signal to local elites that loyalty to Ukraine’s wartime leadership is non-negotiable, especially as the country prepares for difficult winter months on the battlefield.
“Removing questionable figures from positions of influence sends a message that there can be no ambiguity about where officials stand,” said one Kyiv-based political commentator familiar with government discussions.
The move that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship could also have implications for Odesa’s political stability, as the city remains a crucial economic and military hub in southern Ukraine, frequently targeted by Russian missile strikes.
Trukhanov’s leadership in Odesa has often been controversial, balancing local business interests, civic pressure groups, and Kyiv’s expectations amid ongoing wartime logistics challenges.
Critics have accused him of tolerating corruption and fostering opaque ties with former political allies who fled to Russia after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Despite his complicated reputation, Trukhanov retained significant support among some Odesa residents, who credited him with keeping the port city functioning under constant threat of attack.
The report that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship has not yet been officially confirmed by Ukraine’s presidential administration. Officials have declined to comment when contacted by domestic media outlets.
However, if verified, the decree would align with similar actions Zelenskyy has taken against other public figures accused of disloyalty or foreign allegiance since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Earlier this year, the president stripped several lawmakers and business figures of citizenship for allegedly collaborating with Moscow or residing abroad without fulfilling national obligations.
Observers say that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship cases have become a potent political tool in Kyiv’s campaign to maintain unity while signaling to Western allies that Ukraine’s government is serious about internal reform.
“Every step toward cleaning up political structures is watched closely by partners in Europe and the United States,” said a Western diplomat based in Kyiv. “These actions are both symbolic and strategic.”
The issue of Russian citizenship among Ukrainian officials remains sensitive, particularly in cities like Odesa and Kharkiv, where historical ties to Russia once shaped political loyalties.
Before the war, many regional politicians held dual allegiances or commercial links with Russian enterprises, a legacy that continues to complicate Ukraine’s governance and anti-corruption efforts.
As Zelenskyy revokes citizenship, the government is also navigating criticism from human rights advocates who warn that the process should adhere to due legal procedures and avoid politically selective enforcement.
Legal experts argue that while the Constitution allows the president to revoke citizenship, courts must still ensure such decisions do not violate fundamental rights or international norms.
Some commentators suggest that Trukhanov’s case could end up before Ukraine’s Supreme Court if he chooses to contest the decision once it becomes official.
Internationally, the development underscores Zelenskyy’s balancing act between wartime consolidation and preserving democratic accountability under martial law conditions.
The Odesa mayor’s uncertain status now poses logistical questions for the city’s governance, especially if Kyiv moves swiftly to appoint a temporary replacement or call new municipal elections.
Local media in Odesa reported increased activity around the mayor’s office following news that Zelenskyy revokes citizenship, though officials provided no immediate confirmation.
Residents expressed mixed reactions, with some calling it a necessary step for national integrity, while others saw it as another example of Kyiv tightening control over regional leadership.
For Zelenskyy, the symbolic weight of acting against one of Ukraine’s most prominent local leaders reinforces his image as a wartime president determined to defend both sovereignty and accountability.
In the coming weeks, analysts expect the administration to clarify whether similar reviews are underway for other mayors or governors with alleged dual nationalities.
As Ukraine continues to endure attacks and economic hardship, Zelenskyy revokes citizenship decisions could remain a recurring feature of his broader political strategy to unify the nation through legal and moral reform.
For now, the fate of Odesa’s mayor remains uncertain, as Kyiv’s silence fuels speculation about what may follow in a city that symbolizes both Ukraine’s resilience and its internal divisions.
