The mayor hasn't been recalled yet, but a successor is already being sought: who Mykolaiv residents see as Senkevych's successor

The Korabelov.info publication about the possible early recall of the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Senkevych provoked a strong reaction from readers. By the morning of 12 September 2026 at least 175 comments had already appeared on the article’s page, and the discussion continued: from short calls to immediately begin the procedure to questions about who would run the city after the mayor’s possible removal.

Recall that the discussion began after a post by human rights activist Denys Zhelo, who suggested that Mykolaiv residents express their views on the possibility of recalling Oleksandr Senkevych by popular initiative. At the time of the first publication, there was no report of holding voters’ meetings, forming an initiative group, or the official start of signature collection.

Among the new comments, critical assessments of the mayor’s work predominate. Some readers are already asking not whether to support the initiative but where they can sign. At the same time, users are posting numerous accusations against the mayor on social networks.

For example, user Tatyana Holobina briefly asked where one can join the possible procedure:

“Where do I need to sign?”

Similar messages were left by other readers. Some directly supported the resignation, while others believe that changes should concern not only the mayor but also the city council. In complaints about the city authorities, users most often mention the condition of the city, prolonged repairs, water problems, tariffs, and municipal services.

But another question is growing louder at the same time — who would replace Oleksandr Senkevych and whether Mykolaiv would end up with even more problems after a change of mayor.

User Snezana Bohush put it as briefly as possible:

“And who instead? Is there someone better??”

Specific people began to be named in the discussion. Among the surnames proposed by commenters were Anna Kurkurina, Svitlana Fedorova, General Marchenko, and one reader suggested a military officer who returned from the front after a serious wound and amputation as a potential city leader. Neither Anna Kurkurina nor Svitlana Fedorova has declared an intention to run for mayor in this discussion.

A separate dispute arose around the candidacy of Anna Kurkurina. Some readers called her a worthy candidate, while others reminded that the mayor’s job requires experience managing a large city.

For example, Nina Sokolovskaya spoke in favor of her candidacy:

“Kurkurina — the most deserving candidate”

However, some Mykolaiv residents opposed changing the mayor during the full-scale war. Arguments vary: from the absence of an obvious alternative to fears that political struggle within the city amid constant Russian attacks could only make the situation worse.

User Aleftina Umanska urged not to rush to change the leadership:

“You don’t change horses while crossing the river. Learn to APPRECIATE what is being done for you.”

Another topic frequently repeated in the comments is the claim that after recalling Oleksandr Senkevych, the management of Mykolaiv would automatically pass to the Regional Military Administration (OVA) or a military administration. However, the early termination of the mayor’s powers does not entail such an automatic consequence.

Under Article 42 of the Law of Ukraine “On Local Self-Government in Ukraine,” if the mayor’s powers are terminated early, his functions are temporarily performed by the secretary of the relevant city council — except in special cases related to the application of legislation on military administrations. In Mykolaiv the city council secretary is Dmytro Falko. Under the usual procedure he would perform the mayor’s functions until the next stage specified by law. Thus, the recall of the mayor itself does not automatically mean the city would pass under the control of a military administration.

Thus, in less than a day the initial question “are Mykolaiv residents ready to recall the mayor?” has effectively grown into a much broader discussion: who can run the city, whether a change of power is needed during the war, whether there is a real alternative to Oleksandr Senkevych, and what the legal consequences of such a decision would be.

So far, everything remains a public discussion. No official start of the procedure to recall Oleksandr Senkevych, the creation of an initiative group, or the start of collecting the necessary signatures has been announced as of the time this article was prepared.

Previously we wrote:

• Mykolaiv residents spoke about the early recall of Senkevych
• No 17 million UAH found to rebuild an entrance destroyed by a gas explosion in Mykolaiv
• Children “on top of each other”: Senkevych finally ordered inspections of school shelters after parents’ complaints
• “I don’t want to go to prison”: Senkevych explained what he fears
• Authorities warn of a “shutdown”: officials in Mykolaiv said funds may be insufficient as early as November