Petition to establish military administration in Odesa gains over 25,000 votes

An online petition demanding the creation of a military administration in Odesa has gathered more than 25,000 signatures. Most of the votes were added after 30 September, when ten people died due to the bad weather.

This is according to the website of the official representative office of the President of Ukraine, according to NikVesti.

Within a week, the petition was supported by more than 25,000 votes, including more than 15,000 in the days after the tragedy.

The appeal was published on the website on 24 September by Ivan Kazachuk from Odesa. The author referred to the law «On the legal regime of martial law», which allows the creation of military administrations in case of improper exercise of powers by local authorities or threats to their work.

He noted that such administrations have been established in Berdiansk, Sumy and within the Kherson region.

«Given the strategic importance of Odesa as a major transport, port and logistics centre in southern Ukraine, as well as its location in close proximity to the areas of hostilities and areas with an increased level of threats, the effective and continuous functioning of the city's authorities is a matter of national security and defence», the appeal says.

Now, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has to consider the petition and provide an official response within ten working days.

Bad weather in Odesa on 30 September

On 30 September, Odesa received one and a half months of rainfall. Civil defence volunteers and rescuers from the State Emergency Service worked alongside the utility companies.

On Wednesday, 1 October, it became known that nine people, including one child, had died as a result of the natural disaster.

Following this, Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba to conduct a full investigation into the actions of local authorities and all the circumstances. The report is expected this Friday.

Thursday, 2 October, was declared a day of mourning in Odesa region in connection with the deaths of nine people due to the natural disaster.

According to preliminary data, 286 private houses and 384 apartment buildings were flooded in all districts of the city.

On 2 October, search and rescue operations were completed in Odesa after the bad weather. 10 people died and over 380 were rescued. Emergency repair and restoration works are ongoing.