Zelenskyy demands release of Melitopol mayor
In his latest address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded the release of a mayor reportedly kidnapped Friday by Russian forces.
"Today in Melitopol, the invaders captured mayor of the city, Ivan Fedorov -- a mayor who courageously defends Ukraine and the people of his community," Zelenskyy said. "Obviously, this is a sign of the weakness of the invaders."
He called the alleged kidnapping a "crime against democracy" and said Russia's actions "will be equated with the actions of ISIS terrorists."
"Ukraine demands the immediate release of the mayor of Melitopol and guarantees of full security to all heads of communities across the country," he said, adding that he planned to raise this in talks with "international mediators who communicate with Moscow."
The southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol has been under Russian occupation since the first days of the invasion, though Fedorov had insisted it remained part of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy adviser Kirill Timoshenko posted a CCTV video Friday allegedly showing Fedorov being led out of the building by a large group of armed Russian soldiers.