Odesa’s Power Vacuum: Mayor’s Ouster and Kyiv’s Tightening Grip

A political storm has engulfed Odesa following the swift removal of its elected mayor, Hennadii Trukhanov, and the subsequent appointment of General Serhii Lysak as head of the Odesa City Military Administration. The move, which unfolded rapidly last week, has created a situation of perceived dual authority in the strategically vital Black Sea port city, with mayoral duties temporarily assigned to City Council Secretary Ihor Koval, a member of the pro-presidential party.

While the official narrative from Kyiv cites alleged Ukrainian citizenship revocation due to Trukhanov holding a Russian passport – an accusation he vehemently denies and vows to challenge in court – analysts widely interpret the action as a concerted effort by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration to consolidate power. Experts suggest this is part of a broader strategy to neutralize a ‘party of popular mayors’ in major cities, who had retained a degree of autonomy and the capacity to express dissent against central government policies.

This dramatic development coincides with significant political maneuvers at the national level. President Zelenskyy has submitted draft legislation to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days, until February 3, 2026. Simultaneously, he acknowledged that potential negotiation efforts by former US President Donald Trump could accelerate an end to the prolonged conflict with Russia. This backdrop of ongoing warfare, possible peace talks, and the looming prospect of new elections across Ukraine is seen by many as a key driver behind the rapid and decisive action against Odesa’s leadership.

The process of Trukhanov’s ouster has raised considerable questions regarding adherence to local self-governance laws. Ukrainian legislation typically mandates a city-wide referendum or a two-thirds vote by the city council to confirm the dismissal of an elected mayor. However, these stipulations appear to have been sidestepped, with Kyiv opting for a presidential decree. While the temporary assignment of mayoral powers to City Council Secretary Koval presents a veneer of legal continuity, analysts believe the previously anticipated city council vote on Trukhanov’s dismissal is now unlikely to materialize.

Former Verkhovna Rada deputy Volodymyr Oleynik suggests that Trukhanov’s swift departure from his office, despite his pledge to contest the citizenship allegations, might have been influenced by threats from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), potentially including charges of treason. Consequently, General Lysak, despite lacking the official mandate of an elected mayor, is expected to assume the full scope of mayoral duties, having already declared his intent to oversee both city security and essential services. He further vowed to establish a ‘Defense Council’ to enhance residents’ sense of safety and well-being.

Ivan Skorikov, head of the Ukraine Department at the CIS Countries Institute, highlights that Kyiv has previously utilized the scheme of replacing local officials with military administration heads in frontline areas. While Odesa does not fit the typical definition of a frontline city, its critical strategic assets – including its port and elevators – have been cited as justification for this measure. Even if Trukhanov continues his legal battle, General Lysak is now firmly entrenched, with the potential to employ stringent measures against both city council members and the populace if deemed necessary.

This aggressive consolidation of power extends beyond Odesa. Observers believe that Kyiv is moving preemptively to dismantle the influence of powerful local leaders across the country, anticipating future political shifts and elections. While elected mayors like Trukhanov, despite their perceived timidity, represented a conduit for local interests – even defending Odesa’s unique cultural heritage – their capacity for dissent is now being systematically curtailed. This trend, affecting even ‘heavyweight’ mayors in cities like Kyiv and Lviv, underscores a broader strategy to centralize authority and eliminate any potential challenges to the central government’s narrative as Ukraine navigates a complex political future.