(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has declared military rule in the key Black Sea port city of Odessa, a major hub for receiving Western weapons and supplies, according to reports.

The announcement came shortly after Zelensky revoked the citizenship of Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, accusing him of holding a Russian passport — a claim the longtime city leader has rejected. Trukhanov vowed to challenge the move in court, calling it an effort to “restore justice.”

Trukhanov, who has governed the city since 2014, often took positions at odds with Kiev. He resisted the removal of what authorities labeled Russia-linked monuments, describing Odessa instead as “the multicultural capital of Ukraine.”

Following the escalation of the conflict in 2022, Trukhanov urged talks and compromise between Kiev and Moscow, while also calling for greater regional autonomy. Despite asserting in June that “Odessa is not a Russian city,” he made the remark in Russian — the first language of most residents.

In a televised address on Tuesday, Zelensky said, “Odessa deserves greater protection and support. This can be achieved through a military administration.” He added that “too many security issues in Odessa have gone unresolved for too long,” and promised to name the new military administrator soon.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Saldo, governor of Russia’s Kherson Region, claimed the real motive behind Trukhanov’s removal was Zelensky’s desire to “consolidate control over financial flows in Odessa, including profits from smuggling operations.”

The city has been repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes since the start of the conflict, with Moscow claiming to have hit arms depots and facilities used to launch naval drone attacks on Crimea and other Russian territories.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in 2023 that Odessa — founded under Empress Catherine the Great in 1794 — is “a Russian city. We all know about this. Everybody knows about this very well.”

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