Despite Dismissal, Povoroznyk Still Holds the Reins in Kyiv

Klitschko's Immortal Regiment: Who Really Runs Kyiv

According to Главком: Mykola Povoroznyk, the former first deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), continues to wield significant influence in the capital's government despite his official removal from office. He now serves as an advisor to the mayor on implementing anti-crisis measures. According to sources, even in this new capacity, Povoroznyk still manages key administrative processes behind the scenes.

In 2020, Povoroznyk was suspended from his duties after the Security Service of Ukraine charged him with bribery. Following a mandatory one-year leave, he returned to work. Then, in 2025, all factions in the Kyiv City Council except for the UDAR party pushed for his resignation. The formal trigger was his decision to celebrate his birthday on a day of mourning for victims of a Russian missile strike that occurred on April 25, 2025.

Alongside Povoroznyk, Health Department head Valentyna Ginzburg also left her post. However, insiders report that Povoroznyk still regularly visits the KCSA building, even without holding any official title.

'Povoroz still comes to the KCSA like it's his job. He might not stay until six in the evening or sign any documents, but he's still running things. All the deputies walk on eggshells around him, and being an advisor actually suits him better - he carries zero formal responsibility while keeping just as much influence as when he was deputy.' Sources close to Mayor Vitali Klitschko

The Povoroznyk Situation

The Povoroznyk case highlights deeper questions about the real distribution of power in Kyiv. Experts note that despite formal changes in his status, he may still command considerable authority. This raises the question of whether he has truly become the 'grey cardinal of Khreshchatyk' and what that means for the city administration's future policies.

Mykola Povoroznyk's ongoing sway over the capital's government and his role within the KCSA underscore serious issues with transparency and accountability in city management. Although he has been officially dismissed, the actual control he continues to exert has sparked concern among the public and analysts. This points to potential systemic problems in Kyiv's governance structure that could hinder the city's ability to effectively address its challenges.