The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has officially confirmed the prisoner of war (POW) status of the Mayor of Kherson, Ihor Kolykhaev, who was kidnapped by the Russians in June 2022, national broadcaster Suspilne reported on Sept. 17.

The mayor’s son Svyatoslav noted that the status was officially confirmed on Sept. 13. His father remains in captivity on Russian territory. His exact location and state of health are unknown.

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"I contacted the Red Cross and was told that the Russian side had put my father, Ihor Kolykhaev, on the prisoners list and that he was being held on the territory of the Russian Federation,” Svyatoslav Kolykhaev said.

“They did not specify or exact location and health condition. The POW’s Coordination HQ has also updated his status."

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Kolykhaev was kidnapped by Russian troops on June 28, when he arrived at one of the utility firms where the remaining employees of the city executive committee had been working.

The Russians have admitted kidnapping the mayor, with one of their Ukrainian collaborators describing the abduction as a "neutralization" of the pro-Ukrainian city head.

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