Archive · 30 Sep 2025
Ex-Kherson Mayor Details Russian Imprisonment, Occupation
Imagine the mayor of a city was taken prisoner by enemy soldiers.
That's what happened to the mayor of Kherson.
He was held for over two years by Russian forces.
During this time, he experienced tough conditions, and shared his experience with the public.
He was finally freed as part of a swap.
He's now talking about what it was like to be held captive and the tactics used during the occupation, and is one of many Ukrainians taken captive by Russian forces.
Volodymyr Mykolaienko, the former mayor of Kherson, was held captive by Russian forces.
He was captured in March 2022 and held for over two years.
Mykolaienko was recently released as part of a prisoner exchange.
He described the conditions of his imprisonment in Russia.
His testimony details tactics used during the Russian occupation of Kherson.
- Who
- Volodymyr Mykolaienko, former mayor of Kherson.
- What
- Details of his imprisonment and the Russian occupation of Kherson.
- When
- Captured in March 2022, released recently.
- Where
- Kherson, Ukraine and Russian detention facilities.
- Why
- To document the illegal detention of Ukrainian officials and civilians by Russian forces during the occupation.
- Name
- Volodymyr Mykolaienko
- Former Position
- Mayor of Kherson
- Detention Length
- Over two years
- Captured Date
- March 2022
- Released via
- Prisoner exchange