The exiled mayor of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, who was held for a time by Russian forces, was appointed by President Volodymyr Zelensky head of the Zaporizhia regionin the south of the country, the Ukrainian presidency announced today Sunday.

The announcement of the promotion was made during Zelensky’s visit to the southern front, specifically to the forces in the village of Robotyne, which Kiev liberated in August 2023, but has since been under constant attack by Russian forces.

“The head of state introduced the new head of the regional administration of Zaporizhia Ivan Fedorovwho was the mayor of Melitopolis, which had been temporarily occupied, since December 2020 and who was held for a while by the Russians,” the presidency announced.

Fedorov, 35, was kidnapped in March 2022 by the Russian army which had just entered the city, after refusing to cooperate with Moscow. He was exchanged with a group of young Russian soldiers the same month.

The city of Melitopol, located 130 km south of Zaporizhia, fell to the Russians in the first weeks after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Fedorov, who replaces governor Yuriy Malasko, said his “goal is to make it possible for everyone who really wants to return home to be able to do so as soon as possible,” according to the presidency.

The large city of Zaporizhia, which is almost 50 km from the front and territory controlled by Russian forces, has been the target of deadly attacks.

Zaporizhia Oblast is one of four annexed by Russia, but not fully controlled by Moscow.