The mayor of Kherson, Ihor Kolykhaiev, was reportedly abducted by Rosgvardia and the FSB in late June 2022 for refusing to cooperate with the occupation authorities. He has since been held in Russian prisons in Chonhar, Taganrog, and is currently in a pre-trial detention center in Perm Krai, according to former prisoners.

A marine, Yevhen Horokh, released from captivity in May, stated that Kolykhaiev was as badly beaten as the "Azovets" fighters when he was brought into the cell. Kolykhaiev's son has publicly appealed to the president, asking for clarification on why his father's return is allegedly being blocked.