The son of the former mayor of Odesa worked in the occupation administration of Kherson region

A court in Kherson has sentenced in absentia a native of Odesa and son of the city's former mayor, Ruslan Bodelan. Volodymyr Bodelan was sentenced for collaborationism. For his work in the occupation administration of the Kherson region, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

This is stated in the court's verdict.

According to the case file, Bodelan became the deputy occupation governor of the Kherson region in early September 2023, and in January 2024 he headed the illegal permanent mission of the Kherson region to the Russian government. The man was also banned from holding positions in public authorities and enterprises providing public services for 15 years. In addition, he must reimburse the state for procedural costs in the amount of UAH 63.6 thousand.

Vladimir Bodelan and Vladimir Saldo in Moscow. PHOTO: Open Sources

Volodymyr Bodelan, the son of former Odesa Mayor Ruslan Bodelan, is known for his collaborationist activities. In 2014, as the head of the State Emergency Service in Odesa region, he refused to send fire trucks during the fire in the Trade Union Building, according to the investigation. That fire killed 42 people. In 2016, he was notified of suspicion and put on the international wanted list. In 2017, Bodelan received Russian citizenship and worked in the occupied Crimea as the head of a "branch of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations."

In June 2025, Odesa said goodbye to former mayor Ruslan Bodelan. In April 2005, after the Orange Revolution, a criminal case was opened against Bodelan for abuse of office in the interests of third parties, and on May 5 he was put on the international wanted list. But he fled to Russia and worked as deputy head of the St. Petersburg International Trade Port. In January 2006, according to official data, Bodelan received Russian citizenship. However, in 2010, criminal cases against Bodelan were closed and he allegedly returned to Odesa. Ruslan Bodelan's son, Volodymyr, did not attend the ceremony.

Катерина Глушко