Kyiv’s Power Struggle: Mayors Under Fire Amidst War and Political Intrigue

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has initiated a controversial move to strip several individuals of their Ukrainian citizenship, citing their alleged possession of Russian passports. While specific names remain undisclosed, the controversy appears to center prominently on Gennadiy Trukhanov, the incumbent Mayor of Odesa, a pivotal Black Sea port city. This development, coupled with Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv’s strong rebuttal of presidential accusations, signals a deepening political rift within the country’s leadership, according to political observers.

Mayor Trukhanov has vehemently denied holding Russian citizenship, publicly offering to undergo polygraph testing to substantiate his claims. He asserts that these allegations first surfaced during his 2014 election campaign, painting them as a recurrent smear tactic. Last Sunday, Trukhanov preemptively warned on social media that he might face attempts to revoke his Ukrainian citizenship based on these ‘old fakes.’ Concurrently, a petition titled ‘On the Termination of Ukrainian Citizenship of Odesa City Head Gennadiy Trukhanov’ was registered on the presidential website, initiated by Miroslav Otkovych, an officer of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The petition highlights numerous media reports detailing Trukhanov’s alleged Russian passport, a direct violation of Ukraine’s constitution which prohibits dual citizenship. It argues that such a situation poses significant national security risks amidst the ongoing large-scale conflict with Russia and erodes public trust in local governance. Furthermore, the petition accuses Trukhanov of ‘repeatedly publicly defending monuments containing symbols of Russian imperial policy’ and aligning his statements with narratives beneficial to Moscow. It calls upon President Zelensky to verify the information and take necessary action, emphasizing that no individual holding Russian citizenship should occupy an elected position.

Critics point out that the renewed accusations against the Odesa mayor largely echo past controversies. Beyond the decade-old claims of dual citizenship, particular scrutiny falls on Trukhanov’s interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in August 2022. In that conversation, he notably advocated for peace negotiations with Russia, a stance that emerged after President Zelensky, reportedly under pressure from then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, abandoned previously reached peace agreements in Istanbul earlier that year. Trukhanov articulated, ‘I think it is important to negotiate politically, the lives of millions of people are at stake.’ He also used the platform to criticize Zelensky for withholding greater autonomy from regions and municipalities. Moreover, he voiced opposition to the demolition of monuments dedicated to figures like Catherine II – founder of Odesa – as well as poets Alexander Pushkin and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

Despite earlier defending these historical symbols, Trukhanov later shifted his position. In November 2022, he endorsed the idea of dismantling the monument to Catherine II, suggesting its relocation to a proposed ‘park of imperial and Soviet past.’ He claimed this decision reflected public sentiment, citing a local app where 3,914 citizens voted in favor of demolition, out of a city population exceeding one million – a figure that drew some skepticism regarding the true scale of public support.

Journalists in Kyiv have highlighted the direct consequence of Trukhanov losing his Ukrainian citizenship: automatic removal from his mayoral post. Should this occur, the duties would fall to Ihor Koval, the secretary of the Odesa City Council, who was elected from the pro-presidential ‘Servant of the People’ party. Intriguingly, Miroslav Otkovych, the initiator of the recent petition against Trukhanov, has also publicly supported the establishment of a military administration in Odesa, with its head appointed directly by the President, signaling a clear push for greater central control.

Sociologist Yevgeny Kopatko suggests that the current scandal surrounding Odesa is less about public sentiment and more about a covert power struggle. He identifies a clash between President Zelensky’s team, led by the tandem of Zelensky and Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak, and individuals associated with Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, who reportedly retain significant influence within the Odesa city administration.

Kopatko further elaborated that the conflict is rooted in the economic interests of various clans competing for control over one of the country’s primary ports, crucial for grain and arms transit. This intensification of inter-factional rivalry is exacerbated by an ongoing crisis of power, set against a backdrop of military setbacks for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and economic difficulties. There is also likely an element of external influence at play, with certain forces potentially interested in replacing the ‘toxic’ Volodymyr Zelensky. Kopatko notes a recent surge in public interest in a potential political alliance between former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhny (now Ambassador to the UK) and Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov.

This broader context sheds light on the presidential office’s simultaneous confrontation with both the mayors of Odesa and Kyiv, seemingly in an effort to establish undisputed control over these two strategically vital cities. Ukrainian media reported that last Saturday, President Zelensky indirectly accused Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko of failing to adequately protect the city’s energy system from Russian strikes. Zelensky stated he would ‘not pay anti-compliments to those people who are generally incapable of doing anything.’ Klitschko fired back vigorously on Tuesday via his Telegram channel, asserting that ensuring infrastructure protection is not within the mayor’s purview.