KIEV, Nov. 16 - President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday appointed his ally as the head of the Kiev city administration, further strengthening his control over the government in the capital.

Oleksandr Popov will hold the post that had been traditionally occupied by an elected mayor of Kiev. Kiev Mayor Leonid Chernovetskiy will focus on his duties as the speaker of Kiev city council.

The reshuffle represents a move that allows Yanukovych - without winning local election - to increase his control over the executive authority in Kiev, Ukraine’s largest and the wealthiest city.