Russian forces seized the city of Kherson on Wednesday, making it the first Ukrainian city that they have taken control of amid their invasion.
Kherson mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev said nearly 300 Ukrainian civilians and fighters died trying to protect the city, and that they are surrounded by Russian forces.
"There is no Ukrainian army here," Kolykhaev, said in an interview, per The New York Times. "The city is surrounded."
Kolykhaev then begged people to stop looting and stealing food supplies in a Facebook post on Thursday.
"There is a real threat in the city that robbers are distributing food supplies. And the city needs food and industrial products," Kolykhaev said. "This is especially for the most unprotected layers of the population... I appeal to all supermarket owners, big stores, warehouses, food stores, and anyone who finds this message useful.
"The city is ready to take control of the distribution of your remaining products. We guarantee that she will reach where she is now most expected - hospitals, orphanages, pensioners, needy, families with many children, social categories, etc. d. We will do it organized and responsibly, you can't doubt it.
Kolykhaev went on to call out the looters for their actions, using some strong language and saying that he is "ashamed" of them.
"I also want to briefly address some of the bastards. I am ashamed of you I am f---ing ashamed to watch videos where healthy, strong, hard working people are painting the pieces of shopping malls, stores and supermarkets. I have no time to read morals. Yeah and it's useless. If at your age you do not understand the main thing that stealing FROM YOUR OWN IS NOT POSSIBLE, I have nothing to talk to you about. God is your judge.
He then thanked the residents of Kherson who have not turned their backs on the city and its people.
"Thank you to the rest of the city residents a huge and low bow. Just because even in such an inhuman difficult situation you remain Human!"
Kolykhaev had previously posted on Facebook on Wednesday asking for the people of Kherson to not be shot, and added that there were no Ukrainian Armed Forces in the city.
"I made no promises to them," Kolykhaev said. "I just have nothing to promise. I am only interested in the normal life of our city! I just asked not to shoot people. We don't have Ukrainian Armed Forces in the city, only civilians and people who want to LIVE here!"
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