President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, during a working trip to the Zaporizhia region, where he held a meeting with the military command, introduced the new head of the Zaporizhia regional state administration, Ivan Fedorov, who was previously the mayor of the now-occupied Melitopol.
Ivan Fedorov was appointed the head of the Zaporizhzhia state administration
The Office of the President noted that at the beginning of the meeting with the military command and the heads of law enforcement agencies of the region, the President introduced the newly appointed head of the Zaporizhzhya Regional State Administration, Ivan Fedorov.
Zelensky noted the importance of the regional leadership working directly on the ground and having a good understanding of the specifics of the region.
Everything must be done so that Ukraine returns to your native Melitopol. Ukraine is fighting for it today. It will definitely happen, — he said, addressing Fedorov.
Fedorov thanked for the trust and noted that it is an honor and responsibility for him to lead his native Zaporizhzhia region.
My main goal is that all people who really want to return home can do so as soon as possible. But even in front-line Zaporizhzhia, life must go on. People should believe in Zaporizhzhia and our state, Ukraine, — he said.
Ivan Fedorov: what is known
Since December 2020, Fedorov has been the mayor of the now temporarily occupied Melitopol, and after the start of a full-scale war, he was in Russian captivity for some time.
The president signed the decree appointing Fedorov as head of the OVA on February 2. He will replace Yury Malashko.
On February 26, 2022, Russian troops temporarily occupied the city of Melitopol.
After the occupation of Melitopol by Russian troops, on March 11, 2022, Fedorov was kidnapped after he refused to cooperate with the occupiers.
Residents of the city protested and demanded the dismissal of the mayor. A few days later, Fedorov was exchanged for nine captured Russians.
After his release from captivity, Ivan Fedorov was awarded the Order "For Courage" of the third degree.
During 2010-2015, Ivan Fedorov worked as a member of the Melitopol City Council. Then he became a deputy of the Zaporizhia Regional Council from the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko and a member of the permanent deputy committee on budget issues.
In 2019, Fedorov held the position of advisor to the mayor of Melitopol on urban planning and architecture. In December 2020, he became the mayor of Melitopol.
