Chaos Continues in Russian-Occupied Ukrainian Regions with New Mayor Appointments and Anti-Russian Resolutions Adopted

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] As Russian forces gradually expand their control over occupied areas in Ukraine, new mayors are being appointed in already occupied regions such as Melitopol city and Kherson province, while resolutions opposing Russia's attempts to seize control are being adopted, leading to ongoing confusion and resistance.

According to major foreign media on the 12th (local time), the Zaporizhzhia regional government, which includes Melitopol city in southern Ukraine, announced on the same day that Galina Danilchenko, a member of the Melitopol city council, has been appointed as the new mayor. Danilchenko stated in a Telegram post, "The main task is to take all necessary measures to restore the city to normal."

However, British daily The Guardian and others reported that Danilchenko is a new mayor installed by the Russian side after ousting the previous mayor.

Melitopol city was occupied on the 26th of last month, three days after the full-scale invasion by Russian forces began. On the 11th, a video was released showing Mayor Ivan Fedorov being dragged out of the city hall by armed assailants. A local prosecutor from the Luhansk region, where pro-Russian rebel forces have long been established, claimed that Mayor Fedorov is under investigation on suspicion of being a member of a terrorist organization.

This incident is known as the first case of a Ukrainian politician being detained by pro-Russian forces since the Russian invasion began. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident as a "kidnapping" and criticized it as a "crime violating the Geneva Conventions."

Similarly, the Kherson regional council in southern Ukraine, also occupied by Russia, adopted a resolution on the same day confirming that Kherson remains part of Ukraine through a vote. Yuriy Sobolevsky, deputy chairman of the Kherson regional council, stated on Instagram, "The vote recognized that the Kherson region is part of Ukraine," adding, "We can never accept Russia's attempt to establish a people's republic in Kherson and seize part of Ukraine." Deputy Chairman Sobolevsky emphasized, "Kherson has been, is, and will remain one of the core regions of Ukraine."

This resolution was adopted amid suspicions that Russia is planning a referendum to establish a puppet government in the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned, "Russia is trying to divide Ukraine and establish a new 'puppet government' within its territory."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.