During the two-year occupation of Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, Russia has brought over 100,000 of its citizens into the city

Melitopol, Ukraine (Svidomi) — Russians have brought more than 100,000 of their citizens to Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, since the temporary occupation of the city, according to Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov.

To replace them, Russia brought in migrant workers, military personnel and other Russian citizens.

"The enemy (Russia — ed.) has designated the city [Melitopol] as the capital of the temporarily occupied south [of Ukraine]. That's why a large number of [Russian] officials, fake police, prosecutors and others are coming there... The Russians are changing the gene pool, wiping out the resistance and making it impossible for our people to live in the temporarily occupied territories,' the Ukrainian mayor comments.

A local man who remains in Melitopol told Fedorov that the city's population seems to have increased during the occupation compared to the figures before the full-scale invasion.

"The people of Melitopol do not recognise the occupiers and are waiting for Ukraine to return," said Mayor Ivan Fedorov.