Zelensky revoked the citizenship of three Ukrainian figures

Gennady Trukhanov, Oleg Tsarev, and Sergei Polunin have been stripped of Ukrainian citizenship. This decision was announced on October 13, 2023, by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, who noted that these individuals were found to have Russian passports.

Event Details

At a briefing on “Telegram,” Zelensky reported that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) had reported measures to counter Russian intelligence networks. In this context, the president clarified that the presence of Russian citizenship among several individuals was confirmed, and appropriate decisions have already been prepared for them.

The president’s office clarified that the decrees are not published openly due to the personal data they contain.

Reaction of Gennady Trukhanov

Trukhanov, the mayor of Odessa, recorded a video message in which he commented on the situation. He stated that they want to strip him of citizenship due to the alleged presence of a Russian passport and insisted on the absence of Russian Federation citizenship.

Statements of Politicians

The Odessa mayor expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, noting that he has not had Russian citizenship since 2014. He emphasized that he has already undergone checks by all relevant Ukrainian authorities.

Petition Against Trukhanov

On the same day, a petition demanding the revocation of Trukhanov’s citizenship appeared on the president’s website, quickly gathering 25,000 signatures. This number is sufficient for the request to be considered. The authors of the document emphasized the mayor’s connections with Russian narratives and hinted at his potential harm to Ukraine’s national security.

Confirmation from the SBU

The Security Service confirmed the revocation of Trukhanov’s citizenship by publishing a copy of his Russian foreign passport, valid until December 2025. The SBU reported that Trukhanov’s internal passport was canceled in 2017, but this did not affect his citizenship.

Judicial Prospects

Trukhanov expressed his intention to go to court to defend his rights. He plans, if necessary, to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. The mayor considers these measures as arbitrariness and is ready to fight the authorities’ decisions.

Against the Historical Context

Oleg Tsarev, a former deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, also came under the authorities’ attention. He became the “speaker of parliament” of the unrecognized “Novorossiya” in 2014 and was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison.

Sergei Polunin and His Escalation of the Situation

Dancer Polunin, who obtained Russian citizenship in 2018, actively supports Russian actions in Ukraine. Sanctions were also imposed on him in April 2023, freezing assets and restricting access to the country.

The escalation around figures associated with Russian passports among Ukrainian officials and major art figures clearly illustrates the growing tension between Ukraine and Russia. The current context and how various public figures are trying to adapt to new realities make this situation extremely important.