Galina Danilchenko was named mayor of Melitopol, Ukraine, exactly one day after the suspected kidnapping of Ivan Fedorov, a democratically elected 33-year-old. According to the Ukrainian parliament, Fedorov was kidnapped by troops on March 11 after refusing to cooperate with them. “We are not cooperating with the Russians in any way, they have not tried to help us, they cannot help us and we do not want their help,” the legislator said of Russia‘s involvement in the nation.

Fedorov is slated to face terrorist charges in Luhansk, a separatist-dominated state whose independence is recognised by Russia.

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Russian forces chose Galina Danilchenko as acting mayor, and her nomination was reported on local television.

Galina Danilchenko is a former Opposition Bloc member and municipal council representative. Opposition Bloc is a pro-Russia political party founded in 2014.

Danilchenko discussed her current ambitions with the city in her appointment video. She stated that her major responsibility was to acquaint the city with the “new reality to live in a new way as fast as possible and take all necessary efforts to return the city to normal.”

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She advocated forming a “people’s committee” to investigate and resolve public concerns in the city, and she warned against any violent or “extreme” activity that may “provoke a reaction of negative behaviour.”

She urged people to be calm, and portions of her message stated, “I ask you to keep your wits about you and not give in to these provocations. I appeal to the deputies, elected by the people, on all levels. Since you were elected by the people, it is your duty to care about the well-being of your citizens.”

While it is unknown why Galina Danilchenko agreed to assume the role, Ukrainians and social media users have already labelled her a traitor and asked that Russia return Fedorov.

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Around 2000 protesters were said to have gathered outside the municipal hall, which was purportedly taken by the Russian military, yelling, “Bring the mayor back! Bring the mayor back! Freedom to the mayor! Freedom to the mayor!”

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In two filmed remarks broadcast on Saturday, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed his thoughts on the situation, calling Federov’s abduction a “crime against democracy.” He stated that Russia did not find the backing it sought in the city, which is why Mayor Federov was removed. “The entire country witnessed that Melitopol did not succumb to the invaders,” he remarked. He requested that the mayor be released by Russian authorities and sought aid from the leaders of Germany and France. “We expect them, the international leaders, to show how they can impact the situation,” he added.

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Melitopol has a population of over 150,000 people and has witnessed an increase in Russian military presence in the two weeks leading up to the inauguration of the new mayor.