• Ukrainian President Zelensky revokes Odesa mayor Trukhanov's citizenship over alleged Russian passport.
• Trukhanov denies the allegations and plans to contest the decision legally.
• The city of Odesa has been placed under military administration following the revocation.
• Opposition warns of "repression" against political figures amid the power shift.
• Zelensky appoints Serhiy Lysak as head of the newly formed military administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revoked the citizenship of Odesa mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov due to allegations that he holds a Russian passport, which is prohibited under Ukrainian law. Trukhanov, in defiance, claims he has never possessed Russian nationality and intends to bring the matter to court. His termination from office comes as he has served as the mayor of Ukraine's largest port city since 2014, battling ongoing allegations of dual citizenship throughout his political career. "I have never received a Russian passport. I am a Ukrainian citizen," Trukhanov stated in a video message following the announcement of his citizenship revocation, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.

Following the revocation of Trukhanov's citizenship, which automatically led to his dismissal, President Zelensky instituted military rule in Odesa, appointing Serhiy Lysak, a former regional governor, to oversee the city under a new military administration. Zelensky emphasized the need for increased protection in Odesa, which has faced significant security issues throughout the ongoing conflict. Critics warn that this shift to military governance undermines democratic principles, as local elections remain suspended due to martial law and are not expected to resume until the end of the war, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Zelensky's actions, which also included the withdrawal of citizenship from other individuals linked to pro-Kremlin sentiments, have ignited debate over the increasingly authoritarian measures being taken during the conflict. Opposition leaders caution that the clampdown on political figures may set a dangerous precedent. "Today they will take Trukhanov away... but tomorrow this machine of repression will be unleashed against inconvenient people," warned Oleksiy Honcharenko, an opposition lawmaker from Odesa, as reported by Reuters, South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.