Pro-Russia occupation ‘authorities’ detain legitimate Kherson mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev

“Deputy Head” of the Kherson “civil-military administration” Kirill Stremousov, appointed by Russian military, announced that the legitimate mayor of Kherson Ihor Kolykhaiev had been detained, reports Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

“The ex-mayor Kolykhaiev, the hero mayor of the Nazis, has been detained. The man who openly sneered, asked to ignore due processes, this man has done a lot of damage to the denazification process. Finally, he has been neutralised,” said Stremousov.

The disappearance of the official, who had become the mayor of the city back in 2020, was discovered this morning. According to his advisor Galina Lyashevskaya, the man had been taken by armed officers of Russia’s National Guard and, possibly, Russia’s Federal Security Service. There was a search conducted at his place of work. It is not known what he was detained for.

“I am certain that Kolykhaiev’s detention is connected to his refusal to cooperate with the occupation government. A few days ago, he received a letter from the “newly appointed” mayor, who had invited him to discuss the future “organisation of cooperation”. In case of refusal, he threatened to have him arrested. Kolykhaiev didn’t go,” said the advisor.

When Kherson was occupied by the Russian army, the legitimate mayor refused to leave his city.

Several days ago, Kirill Stremousov accused Kolykhaiev of “sabotaging work” and supporting the “Nazis” that are controlling the administrations in some districts of Ukraine.

Kherson has been under Russian control since 2 March. On 26 April, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that Kyiv had lost control of the entire Kherson region. Russian occupation forces appointed former mayor of Kherson Vladimir Saldo as the region’s “governor” and Alexandr Kobets as “mayor” of Kherson. Russian TV channels are transmitted in the region, the local Internet provider SkyNET switched to Russia’s Rostelecom network, meanwhile the circulation of the ruble has been implemented.