"Officials from the military administrations, acting on high orders, have taken the city hostage. Their condition is that Lomako must resign from his elected position. I was told in no uncertain terms that if I do not comply, they will plunge the city into chaos. They demonstrated what would happen if I refused: the disruption of the budget for 2025, complete shutdown of the city's largest hospital, suspension of food services in preschool institutions, total halt of public transportation, no funds for the Armed Forces, and much more. They have besieged the city. I must lift this siege. If the cost is my position, I will pay that price," said Lomako.
He added that he submitted his resignation on the very day of local self-government to demonstrate his commitment to the interests of the community.
"To free Chernihiv from captivity, today, on the day of local self-government, I am submitting my resignation as secretary of the city council and ask that it be considered at the nearest session. For me, the life of the city is more important than any position," emphasized the acting mayor.
Lomako stated that the military administrations are systematically undermining local self-government in the city.
"Two so-called military administrators appointed from above, together with some saboteurs in uniform, who have only disgraced the security service with their actions, are trying to dismantle local self-government. When they failed to block the city council's work, the saboteurs decided to simply paralyze the entire city," he stressed.
The situation escalated significantly after the court's decision to transfer control over the city budget to the military administration, Lomako noted.
"The court, upon a phone call, granted sole authority over the community's budget to an official who was not elected by the people, but imposed from above. This is the head of the military administration. Due to the actions of the head of the military administration, who is essentially just a performer of tasks from above, public transportation in the city was halted. The city faced the threat of disrupting the heating season. The construction of defensive structures near Chernihiv was blocked. The community's allocated assistance to the Armed Forces worth millions lay in warehouses for months," the leader explained.
He believes that such actions constitute a crime and highlighted the responsibility of those involved.
"I don’t know what kind of person you need to be to deprive children of food, the sick of treatment, and defenders of support: just to follow orders from above? I don't know what words to use to describe these individuals. But I do know they have names. And there are relevant articles in the Criminal Code. I know that in civilized countries, such matters are not negotiated. They are dealt with appropriately right away. There is a limit to everything. And they have crossed it," said Lomako.
In conclusion, he thanked the community for their trust and assured them that he will continue to work for the benefit of Chernihiv.
"I leave the position with a budget for 2025, heating and light in homes, protection and recovery programs, decent recovery rates for the city, and record assistance for the Armed Forces. I will continue to work and fight. Against the scoundrels and for a better future for Chernihiv. No matter how difficult it is right now, know this: the darkest hour is just before dawn. And we will meet that dawn together," emphasized the acting mayor.