Activists and the public urge Zelensky to verify Troughanov’s citizenship amid growing suspicions and a petition with 25,000 signatures
In Ukraine’s current political landscape, issues of transparency and integrity among regional leaders are becoming increasingly prominent.
Recently, a petition addressed to President Volodymyr Zelensky gathered over 25,000 votes in less than a day—meeting the minimum required for consideration.
The main motivation behind the petition revolves around suspicions that the mayor of Odessa, Gennadiy Troughanov, may hold Russian citizenship, which would be unconstitutional under Ukrainian law.
The author of the petition, Myroslav Otkovych, pointed out that numerous journalistic investigations allegedly substantiate this claim, accusing Troughanov of promoting pro-Russian narratives and defending monuments that bear symbols of imperial Russia.
An important aspect highlighted is the tragedy in Odessa on September 30, caused by heavy rainfall and delayed alerts to residents, which resulted in human casualties.
This further eroded public trust in the city’s leadership.
The petition calls for an official verification of Troughanov’s possible dual citizenship and, if proven, enforcement of legal mechanisms prescribed by law.
The authors argue that a person with foreign citizenship in an aggressor state cannot hold elected office.
Numerous rumors and fake reports circulate online claiming that Troughanov has Russian citizenship, which he denies, citing official responses from consulates.
Nonetheless, the media continues to spread information and misinformation, prompting authorities to undertake thorough investigations to establish the truth.
The issue fuels lively public debate about transparency and leadership integrity, as confidence in officials remains a fundamental aspect of Ukraine’s democratic development.