Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Wednesday that he would strip Odessa mayor Hennadiy Truchanov of his Ukrainian citizenship after the Security Service confirmed he retains a Russian passport, a move that automatically ends his term.
Decision to Strip Citizenship
President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that he would revoke Hennadiy Truchanov’s Ukrainian citizenship following confirmation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) that the mayor holds a valid Russian passport. Under Article 79 of the Ukrainian local self‑government law, loss of citizenship results in termination of the mayor’s mandate automatically, with the position to be assumed by a proposed military municipal administration.
Petition Drives Action
Over 27,000 signatures calling for the revocation of Truchanov’s citizenship were collected, with the petition published on the president’s website on 13 October. Petitioners cite investigative journalism linking the mayor to dual citizenship, arguing that such a status contradicts Ukraine’s constitution and endangers national security amid the full‑scale war with Russia.
Mayor’s Response
Truchanov has repeatedly denied holding Russian citizenship, stating, “Never had it and I do not have it today.” He was sanctioned by Russia in 2018 and has claimed that the passport presented by the SBU is fake. He asserts that he has been examined by various authorities, including the National Bureau of Anti‑Corruption, and that documents from the Russian consulate and Ministry of Internal Affairs confirm he is not listed in their database.
SBU Findings
The Security Service confirmed that Truchanov acquired a Russian passport on 15 December 2015, shortly after the start of Russia’s aggression and Crimea’s annexation. The 10‑year‑valid passport is still active, and the mayor’s Russian taxpayer identification number appears in the Russian tax register. Attempts by his representatives in 2017 to annul the passport’s internal validity were deemed insufficient to revoke citizenship, according to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
