Russia installs a new mayor in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol

Russia installs a new mayor in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, which is under Russian control, after its elected mayor was kidnapped, allegedly by Russian troops.

The city is strategically located between Mariupol and Kherson. The Russians took it over quickly during the invasion and there have been protests since.

The city’s mayor, Ivan Fedorov, was taken away by armed men from a government building on Friday. Russian officials later claimed he had committed terror offenses.

The area’s regional administration says a former member of the city council, Galina Danilchenko, is now the mayor. She was reportedly a member of the opposition on the council.

In a video statement Danilchenko says her main job now is to “take all necessary steps to get the city back to normal.”

Screen capture from video showing Galina Danilchenko, a former city council member in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol who Russia installed as its mayor after reportedly arresting the elected council leader, March 12, 2022. (Twitter)

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