PEOPLE POWER
Hundreds of hero Ukrainians take to streets to demand release of mayor kidnapped by occupying Russian troops
HUNDREDS of Ukrainians have taken to the streets to demand the release of a mayor kidnapped by occupying Russians troops.
Ivan Fedorov was filmed being dragged away by Russian forces with a bag over his head in the city of Melitopol, in southern Ukraine.
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Ukraine's parliament says Fedorov "refused to cooperate with the enemy" and was abducted at the southern city's crisis centre, where he was dealing with supply issues.
But soon a large crowd gathered outside the building he was seen being taken from by Russian soldiers.
Some of those who braved Vladimir Putin's occupiers were carrying placards demanding the mayor be released.
Footage shows Fedorov being marched out of the building by Russian soldiers.
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"A group of 10 occupiers kidnapped the mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov," officials wrote on Twitter.
"During Fedorov's abduction, they put a plastic bag on his head."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the abduction late on Friday as he branded it a "sign of weakness of the invaders" and compared Russian soldiers to "ISIS terrorists".
He also hailed Fedorov "a mayor who bravely defends Ukraine and the members of his community".
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"They did not find collaborators who would hand over the city and the power to the invaders," Zelensky said in a video message.
"Therefore, they have switched to a new stage of terror when they are trying to physically eliminate representatives of the legitimate local Ukrainian authorities."
"The whole country saw that Melitopol did not surrender to the invaders, and this will not be changed by putting pressure on mayors or kidnapping mayors.
"The capture of the mayor of Melitopol is therefore a crime, not only against a particular person, against a particular community, and not only against Ukraine. It is a crime against democracy itself.
"The acts of the Russian invaders will be regarded like those of Islamic State terrorists."
Fedorov was captured by about 10 Russian soldiers, and led out of the government building when he allegedly refused to turn over the city to his captors.
Russian troops have been controlling the city of Melitopol for more than a week.
On Facebook, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "We call on the international community to respond immediately to the abduction of Ivan Fedorov and other civilians, and to increase pressure on Russia to end its barbaric war against the Ukrainian people."
"The perpetrators of this and other crimes will be brought to the strictest responsibility"
It comes as...
- Russian forces are massing near Kyiv as Ukraine is fortifying the capital for a long bloody siege
- Kremlin diplomats accused a pregnant woman of FAKING her injuries after Putin's forces bombed a hospital
- Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned - and its feared Chelsea could fold if he doesn't sell the club in 81 DAYS
- Russia has been accused of nuclear terrorism after bombing a reactor in Kharkiv
- Britain has warned that Russia could use chemical weapons as the invasion continues
- Incredible video shows a Russian armoured column being blitzed as it advances towards Kyiv
- Sanctions continue to bite - and one Russian was seen stocking up with dozens of McDonald's burgers as the company withdrew
It comes after Zelensky said THOUSANDS of Russians have been captured as Putin continues his bungled invasion despite losing three of his generals.
The president has announced the opening of a special headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war amid Russia's bombardment of his country.
Zelensky announced that the government's current infrastructure can't support the number of Russian fighters they've captured.
Putin has lost 11 military commanders and three generals so far in his shambolic invasion - as the spluttering campaign continues to take its toll on Moscow's forces.
It follows reports that Russian troops who surrendered in Ukraine face a firing squad when they return.
Vladimir Putin's faltering invasion has seen morale among his forces plummet in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance.
Sobbing Russians have been filmed telling their captors they had no idea where they were being sent.
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But now it’s feared they face being shot by their vengeful commanders when they return home, the Telegraph reports.
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The Ukrainians have now claimed to have killed more than 12,000 Russians since Putin ordered his troops into their country.
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