Odesa mayor Trukhanov stripped of Ukrainian citizenship, denies Russian ties

Zelenskyy announced this on Telegram.

“I held a meeting on the security situation in several of our regions — these are fundamental issues. Vasyl Maliuk reported on measures to counter Russian intelligence networks and collaborators in frontline, border, and southern areas of our country. The presence of Russian citizenship has been confirmed for several individuals — corresponding decisions have been prepared. I have signed the decree,” Zelenskyy wrote.

According to sources cited by RBC-Ukraine, Suspilne, and the national telethon, among those stripped of Ukrainian citizenship are Odesa mayor Hennadii Trukhanov, former MP from the Opposition Platform–For Life Oleg Tsariov, and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin.

Presidential Office explanation

Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn emphasized that decrees on citizenship matters are not published publicly.
“Citizenship decrees are not made public because they contain personal data — whether on naturalization or revocation,” Lytvyn explained.

Trukhanov’s response

Trukhanov commented on the decree on Suspilne TV, insisting he does not hold Russian citizenship. He called the decision to revoke his Ukrainian citizenship “a falsification” and vowed to appeal to Ukrainian courts and the European Court of Human Rights.

“In 2022, President Zelenskyy instructed the SBU to verify this through all relevant agencies. They found neither Russian citizenship nor passports belonging to me,” Trukhanov said.

He also claimed that the passport referred to by the initiators of the decision contains spelling errors in his name.

“Unfortunately, it is what it is. But I will defend myself, I will file lawsuits. If the courts here fail to resolve it, I will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights,” Trukhanov emphasized.