Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russian forces have kidnapped mayor of Melitopol

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Friday of kidnapping the mayor of the city of Melitopol, equating it to the actions of "ISIS terrorists."

"They have transitioned into a new stage of terror, in which they try to physically liquidate representatives of Ukraine's lawful local authorities," Zelenskyy said in a video address Friday evening.

Kirill Timoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, posted a video on the social media site Telegram which he said showed a group of armed men carrying the mayor, Ivan Fedorov, across a square.

Russian forces captured the southern port city of Melitopol, with a population of 150,000, on Feb. 26.

The prosecutor's office of the Luhansk People's Republic, a Moscow-backed rebel region in eastern Ukraine, said on its website that there was a criminal case against Fedorov.

The prosecutor's office accused Federov of "terrorist activities" and of financing the nationalist militia Right Sector to "commit terrorist crimes against Donbass civilians."

The office said it was looking for Fedorov and called for anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them.

[IBTU]

How many millions have you made from the Americans?

[kklau]

Volodymyr Zelenskyy should settle the war he triggers by peace talk and accept the mistake he makes rather than pushing people for war, asking for more weapons, more people to fight, causing more suffering to the citizen and the rest of the world, a hero does not cause war and ruin his own country and peace of the world. He develops biological weapons with the US.

[davidmiles-hanschell]

Words fail me to express my respect and admiration of your courage Volodymr and that of all the Ukrainian people.

[Redawesomeoby]

I can't be the only one who thinks this looks like a cutscene out of C&C

[killerellik]

Vlad, please do this across Canada 🇨🇦👍

[VoiceSriLanka]

*The comedian who sacrificed his innocent civilians by telling them to take up arms and go on a suicide mission*

[marcuspd]

This actor is a serial liar. Why should anyone believe his propaganda?

[kklau]

Volodymyr Zelenskyy should settle the war he triggers by peace talk and comprises the mistake he makes rather than shifting the suffering to the citizen and the rest of the world

[giftofthewild]

He was the one, upon hearing that Russia sent assassins to kill him, that locked down his citizens inside Kiev for 3 days (effectively preventing them from evacuating) and said that any person found outside on the streets would be treated as a Russian agent and "liquidated".

[Monty]

Once Zelenskyy is locked up safe in a Russian Gulag, maybe the Ukrainians an convince Mr. Bean to run for President of the Ukrainian…
I’m sure Rowan Atkinson can do as-good of or a-better job…

[MrJimWinter]

The Russians better show some pictures that he is still alive otherwise that’ll be another 20, 000 javelins heading their way

[clo]

Poor Ukraine people and soldiers facing a deadly total war due to Its leaders without vision and without hearts but safe in their Bunkers.
Forget UN, EU, NATO or AMERICA...THEY HAVE BLOOD OF ALL THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THEIR HANDS.

[garyproffitt]

Psychopath Donald Trump with the real Math = M(13) A(1) T( 20) H(8) = 42 with the perfect sense Douglas Adams ✔

[rizalpurba]

This ukraina clown presiden (zelenski) never watched “the God father” movie i believe..!!

“Dont ever take sides with anyone againts the family..!!

The saddest thing about betrayal is, it never comes from your enemy..!!”

Michael corleone

[thedolphin]

Look people. Even if this is a real event (Ivan Fedorov might be in hiding and the guy in a headbag ANYBODY), since wars have first started, invaders try to defeat battalions on the field and storm cities. Either they capture or kill the leader in the field (if he has the guts to fight) or they capture his palace and therefore him. He is then given a choice to surrender his country, state, region, or city to save more fighting and deaths. If he does, the invaders own the place and the citizens become obedient to the victors -- ie, stop shooting at us and get on with your daily lives. If he doesn't, the invaders keep on shooting all resistence.

That's been the game of war for 10, 000 years. It's exactly what the US has done in all its wars since 1700 ... except when they send in Special Forces or Special Missiles to intentionally liquidate the ruler.

This mayor and Zekensky are sacrificing more of their people than need be. Even the Japanese Emperor didn't do that when faced with inevitable defeat via more A-bombs. Zelensky is a sook and a fool. No brains, all ego.

In a so-called democracy, the so-called leader is called City Mayor, or State Premier, or National President instead of the military commander on a horse. Therefore capturing him in battle is the modern way to make a win. The Generals of the Ukraine Army are not nearby but in luxury bunkers somewhere, on the phones to local commanders and the mayors. So capturing mayors -- or kidnapping, as The Clown calls it -- is perfectly valid for the occupiers.

[AlaUddin-fdfh]

Ukraine. Hon'ble Prime Minister, you invite all over the world with Facebook and Page ID.
Hon'ble Prime Minister, you will make arrangements to take those who will accept your invitation to visit your country.
I hope people will listen to you.

[sammy]

Wait I’m confused why is everyone hating on zelensky all of the sudden?

[jonpaul]

"weakness of the invaders" dude, you are in war. Kidnapping the official is allowed. You just couldnt help yourself as a comedian, could you?😂😂😂

[jonelliott]

Dear news editor please can you can get this message out to:-
President Zelensky
Stay strong my brother you are a most honourable and distinguished man I hope that some day i will be able to meet you and tell you these things in person. I send you much love and I pray that you will succeed in defending your country and that Putin and his puppeteers will fall they are evil. I pray for your family to this must be so difficult for them and for you also may the lord God bless your family and may God be with you Brother may the angels watch over you and keep you safe always. I am not Ukrainian but I will tell of your honour to my children's children and if I live long enough I'll tell of your bravery to my great grand kids. Your children will hold their heads up high with pride and your grand children will know of your heart..
Slava Ukrainia
🕯🇬🇧💜🙏🏾🕎💜🇺🇦🕯
J.Elliott

[tobin]

Zelenskyy continues to impress : offer reward to defecting Russian fighter pilots ??
G E N I U S
He should expand that to ALL Russian soldiers -
"Surrender, hand over your weapons, we will pay you and consider you a defected non-combatant when it is over"