“Deprive Hennady Trukhanov, the mayor of Odessa, of Ukrainian citizenship, Oleg Tsarev, former MP from the OPZZ (Opposition Platform – For Life) party, and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin – the appropriate decrees were signed by President Zelensky. This was informed by our source in the state authorities. Confirmation has been received that they have Russian citizenship, so such a decision is logical – our source added,” said the TV presenter.
The relevant decrees have not yet been published on the website of the President of Ukraine.
Earlier on Tuesday, a petition to deprive the mayor of Odessa, Hennady Trukhanov, of Ukrainian citizenship, published on the website of the President of Ukraine on Monday, has already collected over 27,000 votes, more than the 25,000 required for its consideration by the head of state.
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The petition stated that some journalistic materials should contain information about the mayor of Odessa having a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, and also referred to Trukhanov's support of “narratives favorable to the aggressor state.”
SBU report. “The decree has been signed”
On Tuesday, Zelensky said that some people had been confirmed to have Russian citizenship, but did not specify who they were or what positions they held.
“The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk, submitted a report on counteracting Russian networks of agents and collaborators in the frontline, border and southern regions of our country. It was also confirmed that some people have Russian citizenship – appropriate decisions have been prepared in their case. The decree has been signed,” the president wrote on Telegram.
Three people deprived of Ukrainian citizenship
On Monday, Trukhanov said he was afraid of being deprived of Ukrainian citizenship and said that a disinformation campaign was being prepared against him regarding his alleged possession of Russian citizenship. He noted that this issue has been raised since 2014 and since then he has continuously explained that he does not have and has never had citizenship of the Russian Federation, and that all relevant authorities of Ukraine have checked this issue.
Oleg Tsarev is a former Ukrainian politician and businessman, a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, who supported Russian aggression after 2014 and was accused of high treason. He is currently considered a Kremlin collaborator.
Sergei Polunin, who was born in Kherson, is a famous Russian ballet dancer. In recent years, he has become famous for his controversial, pro-Russian statements and open support for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
