Odessa Mayor Ousted: Zelenskyy Reshapes Ukraine’s Political Landscape

On October 14, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree stripping Odessa’s mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, of his Ukrainian citizenship following allegations of holding Russian citizenship. The decision followed a public petition with over 25,000 signatures demanding Trukhanov’s removal and led to his immediate dismissal from office.

Zelenskyy didn’t stop at the mayor’s removal – he tasked the Ukrainian military with establishing an administrative authority for Odessa, aiming to ensure stability and secure one of the nation’s most vital ports and economic centers. Trukhanov refuted the charges, insisting he is sanctioned by Russia and does not hold Russian citizenship.

This event raises serious questions about the future of local governance in Odessa and signals the firm stance Zelenskyy is taking against suspected allegiances to Ukraine’s adversaries, especially amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The move also underscores a security-driven shift in the balance of power between civil and military authorities in a city crucial to Ukraine’s strategic interests.