KIEV, Feb. 1 – Oleksandr Popov, head of Kiev City State Administration (KCSA) does not deny that most power in the capital has been handed over to him, though he is only an official appointed by the state authorities, and not the elected mayor of Kiev.

"Yes, we've definitely limited the activity of the city council and the mayor to some extent. But indeed, under the situation that was objectively and subjectively created in the capital, only a strong control system could help. And it has managed to stabilize the situation, as we can see today," Popov said in an interview with the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia newspaper on Saturday.