Mayor of Pokrovsk Trebushkin found himself in the center of a scandal: calls for "peace with the Russian Federation"

Mayor of Pokrovsk Trebushkin found himself in the center of a scandal: calls for "peace with the Russian Federation"

Ruslan Trebushkin, the mayor of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, which is under constant attacks by the Russian army, recorded a video from Belgium and was criticized by a well-known volunteer. This was reported by "Vchasno".

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ruslan Trebushkin (@r.trebushkin)

Ruslan Trebushkin is currently abroad, his exact location unknown. He periodically records videos which he publishes on Instagram, where he solely in Russian calls on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for peace. A similar video appeared on February 24. He acknowledges that the city is almost destroyed by shelling but does not say who is shelling the city; Trebushkin also mentions the full-scale invasion into Ukraine, but does not specify which country carried it out.

What is known about the mayor of Pokrovsk, Ruslan Trebushkin

He continues to call himself the mayor of Pokrovsk, although according to some media and local residents, after the establishment of the military-civilian administration in Pokrovsk in 2022, Ruslan Trebushkin almost stopped being in touch. He was seen in the city for some time, then he disappeared completely. Information was spread that he moved to Kyiv, and later it became known that he went abroad.

A scandal was caused by a video that on March 22 the mayor of Pokrovsk recorded, addressing Ukrainian refugees in Europe. The official commented that in Brussels there is a registration center for refugees from Ukraine where assistance is provided.

At the same time, addressing residents of Ukraine, and directly the residents of Pokrovsk, he stated about the fatigue of Ukrainians from the war and daily life under shelling.

Reaction to Trebushkin’s video from a volunteer

Known volunteer Denys "Dutchman" Khrystov reacted to the video. He recorded a response video in which he noted that he himself periodically visits Pokrovsk but hasn’t seen the mayor there.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Denys Khrystov (@denys_khrystov)

"I thought that the mayor is one who stays in the city or at least in Ukraine. Strange, I thought the mayor should remain in his city. At the very least in his country," Denys Khrystov stated.

He also noted that instead of promoting the foreign refugee aid center, Ruslan Trebushkin should have left the coordinates of places where city residents of Pokrovsk might evacuate to within Ukraine — particularly older people and those with mobility limitations.

"Bedridden people have nowhere to evacuate. And yes, there are still children remaining! They choose to stay in a destroyed house, in their own basement rather than evacuate without money to who knows where. With Belgium, everything is clear — everything is wonderful there. But what should people do here, in Ukraine? Dear mayor, please leave coordinates," Khrystov said in his address.

Reaction of Pokrovsk authorities

After Ruslan Trebushkin posted his address to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Pokrovsk City Military Administration posted a response, stating that the Pokrovsk CMA operates in the frontline zone, enduring all the harsh conditions accompanying the full-scale war.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ruslan Trebushkin (@r.trebushkin)

According to the law, from the moment the military administration is introduced, the leadership of the community is carried out exclusively by its head, appointed to the position by the President of Ukraine, and the official of the territorial community – city mayor Ruslan Trebushkin is in official inactivity until termination or cancellation of the martial law in Ukraine.

Post of Pokrovsk CMA

Photo: Screenshot

"We urge the community residents not to succumb to manipulation. The fate of our community and the entire country depends on resilience, unity, and support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the message said. More statements from Trebushkin were not commented on by Pokrovsk CMA.