"People who throw trash on the ground call the city dirty" - Сєнкевич
Mykolaiv begins with us: the mayor responded to an emotional post by a local woman
Mayor of Mykolaiv Oleksandr Senkevych on August 10 2026 supported a post by resident Inna Ziomsha, who drew attention to disparaging remarks by local residents about their native city.
The discussion arose after the young woman wrote on Threads that she plans to move to Mykolaiv and asked locals to recommend a neighborhood to live in. However, instead of recommendations, commenters began to call the regional center “a dump”, “the worst city in Ukraine” and a place where allegedly there is nowhere to go and nothing to do.
In her post on Facebook Inna Ziomsha noted that it is necessary to talk about problems and demand changes. At the same time, according to her, “there is a huge gap between criticism and humiliation”.
The resident emphasized: when locals themselves persuade potential new neighbors not to move to Mykolaiv, they harm not only the reputation of the authorities. Such words affect local entrepreneurs, children, servicemen, volunteers and everyone who stayed in the city and continues to develop it.
“They are shooting at their own city”, — wrote the author.
Inna Ziomsha also reminded readers of another Mykolaiv — with sunsets over the Southern Bug, volunteers, caring residents and people who did not leave the city after Russian shelling. According to her, love for one’s native city does not require closing one’s eyes to its shortcomings. However, it is worth remembering: “words also build. And words also destroy”.
Oleksandr Senkevych in response said that he shares the resident’s views.
“Because it is truly strange to read how people call the city dirty when they themselves throw garbage at their feet. How they say «there is nothing here», but do nothing to make something appear.
Criticizing is normal, but humiliating your city certainly does not help. It does not make it cleaner, safer, or more comfortable.A city begins with us. And with our words too.
Mykolaiv is not perfect. But it is alive and its own. And much depends on how we talk about it and what we do every day”, — noted Oleksandr Senkevych.
Reminder: earlier we wrote:
- It backfired: Mykolaiv was left without money — Senkevych spoke about unpaid vacations
- In Mykolaiv, two emergency road sections were repaired
- “We will fire and immediately notify the TCC”: Senkevych threatened the water utility workers
- Mykolaiv has drinking water again: construction of a new water supply system completed
- Concerts, sports and youth in the courtyards: they want to revive Mykolaiv with cultural events
