UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Nov. 19 — Deputy of Kharkiv City Council of the 8th convocation who is currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine submitted an early resignation letter to the city mayor, Ihor Terekhov. He wrote about his decision on his social media pages. 

In his request, he asks to raise a question of his resignation at the next Kharkiv city council session. 

Cherniak said his service in the army requires his full focus and does not allow him to combine military duties and the work of a deputy and a legislator. 

“That would be honest and right, first of all, to my duties as a serviceman. I have to pay my utmost attention to that,” Cherniak wrote. He said that it’s impossible for him to be a deputy formally or partially. 

He thanked his colleagues and said that he didn’t gain “any hectares” (any land) during his time as a deputy of the Kharkiv City Council, and named his call sign “Zmii” (“Snake” from Ukraine) as the only asset gained.   

Cherniak added that his decision to resign was also to draw attention to the shortage of people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “Officials don’t need to hide behind mandates and the state’s booking. Go serve some!” he wrote. 

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