Former Odessa Mayor Ruslan Bodelan Passes Away: Loss of an Important Figure in the History of the City and Region
At the age of 83, Ruslan Bodelan, the former mayor of Odessa and a prominent figure in the political life of the city and region, passed away. His death was a heavy blow to many Odessans and political groups who remember his contribution to the development of the city and region. This was announced by the head of the regional military administration, Oleg Kiper, sharing his deep condolences and words of respect for the memory of the former leader. “Ruslan Bodelan has passed away. I sincerely sympathize with the family and friends of Ruslan Borisovich. His life was closely connected with the history of Odessa — he held responsible positions, was involved in the development of the city and region, and left a noticeable mark in the field of administrative management and local government,” the government official noted in his official statement. Ruslan Bodelan was a particularly prominent figure in the political arena of Odessa in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. His career began during the Soviet period, when he held senior positions in the Communist Party and local government. Later, with the well-known Odessa unpredictability and desire for reforms, he successfully transitioned to the new Ukrainian realities. The most significant page of his life was his work as mayor of Odessa in 1998-2005, when he led the city during a period of important changes, political upheavals, and economic reforms. He was also previously the chairman of the Odessa Regional Council, which added public weight to his profile and made a significant contribution to local governance. During the Soviet era, Bodelan held senior positions in the Communist Party; after Ukraine gained independence, he transitioned to the new political realities and continued to work in local government structures, which testifies to his desire to serve the city and the region for many years. His activities were a tangible balance between the Soviet nomenclature and the new Ukrainian state-building processes. The Odessa community and all those who knew him personally or witnessed his activities are now mourning this loss, while honoring the memory of a man who left a mark on the history of the city and the region. Ruslan Bodelan will remain in the hearts of Odessans as a politician and public figure who dedicated most of his life to serving the development and well-being of his native city.