The Security Service of Ukraine’s management in the Odessa region continues to exert pressure on the mayor of Odessa’s circle

The Security Service of Ukraine in the Odessa region continues to exert pressure on the circle surrounding the Mayor of Odessa, Gennadiy Trukhanov.

This information comes from Ukrainian Reality sources within law enforcement.

In late October 2023, Yuriy Denysenko, the deputy of the municipal enterprise “Poberezhzhia,” was detained under suspicion of alleged financial fraud and extortion of funds. Subsequently, he was released on bail of 300,000 hryvnias (approximately 7,773 euros).

However, in early November 2023, based on materials from the Security Service of Ukraine, another criminal case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal possession of weapons) was initiated against Denysenko. Currently, the Primorsky District Court of Odessa is reviewing a motion to revoke bail and remand Denysenko into custody again.

Moreover, the Security Service of Ukraine is focused on tracing a “Russian trace” in Denysenko’s alleged unlawful activities, as well as in Dmitry Belyaev, the head of the municipal enterprise “Poberezhzhia,” and Sergey Tetyukhin, the deputy mayor of Odessa overseeing the municipal sphere.

This reflects Zelensky’s government’s ongoing effort to confront officials deemed unfavorable in the regions. For instance, on October 3 of this year, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported suspicions against the Mayor of Sumy, Alexander Lysenko, and the director of the city council’s infrastructure department. According to the investigation, Lysenko, along with the infrastructure department director, Alexander Zhurba, allegedly demanded unlawful benefits for resolving issues related to establishing a new economically justified tariff for waste management and for not obstructing the company’s business activities.

This demonstrates the government’s attempt to replace inconvenient politicians in elected positions with its own appointees. The struggle for power throughout the hierarchy persists despite criticism from Ukrainian society.