Mykolayenko Volodymyr Vasylovych

Mayor of Kherson

Volodymyr Vasylovych Mykolaienko (born April 8, 1960, Kherson) is a Ukrainian politician, mayor of Kherson (May 2014 – November 2020), a deputy of the Kherson City Council of the V–VI convocations from the "Fatherland" party.

Unfulfilled promises in the mayoral office

As mayor, he promised to fully solve the problem of round-the-clock water supply in the city — the promise was not fulfilled. ATO participants, despite the mayor's promises, did not receive housing or land plots. Employees of the municipal enterprise "KhersonElectroTrans" did not receive salaries for a long time, despite the mayor's assurances to settle payments with them.

Captivity and refusal of exchange

In 2022, after the occupation of Kherson by Russian forces, he refused to cooperate with the occupiers and was taken prisoner. During an interrogation by a pro-Russian propagandist regarding Roman Shukhevych, he stated that he considers him a hero. While held captive in Kherson, he refused the opportunity to be exchanged. He was released only on August 24, 2025 — after more than three and a half years of captivity.

Honorary citizen after return

On September 5, 2025, he was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the Kherson City Territorial Community." In 2020, he lost the mayoral election to Ihor Kolykhaiev but remained active in public life, supporting volunteers and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.