Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol who was once kidnapped by Russian troopsappointed by President Volodymyr Zelensky to head the Zaporizhzhia region, the press service of the Ukrainian president reported on Sunday, AFP reports.
The announcement was made during Zelenskyi’s visit to the southern front, in particular to the troops in the village of Robotine, which was retaken from Russian forces in August 2023, but is now under relentless attack by Russian forces.
“The head of state introduced the new head of the Zaporizhia regional administration, Ivan Fedorov, who has been the mayor of the temporarily occupied Melitopol since December 2020 and who was detained by the Russians,” the message of the head of state reads.
35-year-old Ivan Fedorov was kidnapped in March 2022 by the Russian army, which had just entered the city after refusing to cooperate with Moscow. Then, that same month, he was released in a prisoner exchange.
The city of Melitopol, located 130 km south of Zaporizhzhia, fell to the Russians in the first weeks after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Fedorov, who will replace Governor Yuri Malashko, said his “goal is that everyone who really wants to return home will be able to do so as soon as possible,” according to the president.
Fedorov also noted that he would focus on strengthening the region’s defense capabilities and providing support to the military.
“For two years of full-scale war, together with the Melitopol team, I, as the mayor, am engaged in this. Now I take responsibility for strengthening the joint actions of the communities of Zaporozhye at the regional level,” Fedorov wrote in Telegram.
He also promised to restore parts of the region under Russian occupation after liberation, Ukrainian Pravda reports.
Located approximately 50 km from the front and territories controlled by Russian troops, the large city of Zaporizhzhia became the target of deadly attacks.
Zaporizhia Oblast is one of four that were annexed by Russia, but are not fully controlled by Moscow.
Source: Hot News
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