Two Ukrainian Regional Governors Dismissed Following Sumy Attack Fallout

The Ukrainian government has approved the dismissal of Volodymyr Artiukh as governor of Sumy Oblast and Artem Lysohor as governor of Luhansk Oblast, Orda.kz reports, citing The Kyiv Independent.

The decision was announced on April 15 by Taras Melnychuk, the government’s representative in parliament.

Artiukh’s removal follows public backlash over a planned military awards ceremony in Sumy on April 13 — the same day Russia launched a missile strike on the city, killing 35 people and injuring approximately 120. 

Artiukh acknowledged that the event had been scheduled but denied initiating it.

Melnychuk did not provide official reasons for the dismissals. Oleksii Kharchenko has been appointed as the new governor of Luhansk Oblast, while Oleh Hryhorov will take over as governor of Sumy Oblast.

Artiukh has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly after Konotop Mayor Artem Semenikhin accused him of creating conditions that could have prompted the Russian strike.

Semenikhin criticized the decision to organize an awards event for members of the 117th Brigade, arguing that it put civilians and military personnel at risk.

The strike has drawn widespread condemnation and is being investigated as a potential war crime.

On April 14, the Sumy Regional Administration Council submitted a no-confidence motion against Artiukh.