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| {{EngvarB|date=February 2015}} | |||
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| Clashes between ] and ] demonstrators erupted in the southern Ukrainian port city of ] during January 2014, during the lead-up to the ]. Many people in ] and ] Ukraine ]. Odessa, largely ], witnessed ] throughout 2014. The worst incident occurred on 2 May, when forty-three pro-Russian anti-Maidan protesters were killed during a confrontation with pro-Ukrainian unity protesters at the Trade Unions House in central Odessa. | |||
| ==Unrest begins== | |||
| ], 13 April 2014]] | |||
| Up to 2,000 ] protesters ] (RSA) building in ] on 26 January,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_01_26/Pro-EU-crowd-marching-towards-regional-govt-HQ-in-Odessa-6387/ |title=Pro-EU crowd marching towards regional govt HQ in Odessa – News – World – The Voice of Russia: News, Breaking news, Politics, Economics, Business, Russia, International current events, Expert opinion, podcasts, Video |publisher=The Voice of Russia |accessdate=24 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/01/26/7011390/ |title=До Одеської ОДА рухається колона до 2 тисяч людей | Українська правда |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |accessdate=24 February 2014}}</ref> but were repelled by pro-government supporters and municipal barricades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsru.ua/ukraine/26jan2014/ultras.html |title=Новини NEWSru.ua :: Одеські ультрас були змушені відступити перед "навалою" вірнопідданих ПР під ОДА |publisher=Newsru.ua |accessdate=24 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://odessa.comments.ua/news/2014/01/26/214700.html |title=Одесский горсовет приготовился к штурму (ВИДЕО) – Одесса.comments.ua |publisher=Odessa.comments.ua |date=26 January 2014 |accessdate=24 February 2014}}</ref> Odessa municipal administration fortified the RSA with concrete blocks to prevent further incursions on 28 January.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dumskaya.net/news/vhody-v-odesskuyu-oblgosadministraciyu-perekryva-032244/ |title=Входы в Одесскую облгосадминистрацию перекрывают бетонными блоками (фото) | Новости Одессы |publisher=Dumskaya.net |date=28 January 2014 |accessdate=24 February 2014}}</ref> Confrontations between Euromaidan and Anti-Madian protesters continued over the next month, and on 20 February, about 100 unidentified men wearing masks and helmets, and armed with baseball bats, assaulted a pro-Maidan demonstration. Three journalists and two cameramen were injured in the clashes.<ref name="FEF44">{{cite news | url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/20/ukraine-s-regions-begin-to-rise-against-yanukovych | title=Disturbances escalate in western Ukraine | work=Euronews | date=20 February 2014 | accessdate=6 February 2015}}</ref> | |||
| After the ousting of president ] by Euromaidan protesters in late February, heightened tensions between Euromaidan and anti-Maidan protesters began in ]. Police reported that 5,000 participated in a pro-Russian demonstration in ] on 1 March.<ref>{{cite web|author=Conal Urquhart |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates |title=UN security council in emergency meeting after Russian parliament approves use of military against Ukraine- live updates |work=The Guardian |date=3 January 2014 |accessdate=1 March 2014}}</ref> Rolling demonstrations continued, and on 3 March 2014, 200–500 demonstrators with Russian flags attempted to seize the ] building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_mitinguyuschie-pod-flagami-rossii-shturmuyut-odesskuyu-oga/545208 |title=Митингующие под флагами России штурмуют Одесскую ОГА |publisher=Gazeta.ua |accessdate=3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="odessamar1">{{cite news | url=http://info-center.od.ua/9882-v-odesse-nakalilis-strasti-protivniki-kievskoy-vlasti-osadili-oga-k-nim-vyshel-skorik-fotoreportazh.html | title=В Одессе накалились страсти: противники киевской власти осадили ОГА. К ним вышел Скорик (фоторепортаж) (In Odessa inflame passions: opponents of the Kiev authorities besieged RSA) | work=Info-Center.od.ua | date=3 March 2014 | accessdate=3 March 2014 | language=Russian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://lifenews.ru/news/128293 | title=Активисты в Одессе пошли штурмом на здание облсовета (Activists in Odessa stormed the building of the Regional Council) | publisher=LifeNews.ru | date=3 March 2014 | accessdate=3 March 2014 | language=Russian}}</ref> They demanded that a referendum on the establishment of an "Odessa ]" be held.<ref name=odessamar1/> | |||
| An 'Odessa People's Republic' was allegedly proclaimed by an internet group in ] on 16 April.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022611/ | title=Одеські сепаратисти в інтернеті оголосили "Одеську республіку" (Odessa separatists declared the Internet "Odessa republic") | work=Ukrayinska Pravda | date=16 April 2014 | accessdate=16 April 2014 | language=Ukrainian}}</ref> Members of the Odessa ] protest group later swore that they made no such declaration, and the leaders of the group said they had only heard about it through the media.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022625/ | title=Одеський Антимайдан божиться, що ніякої республіки не оголошував (Odessa antimaidan swears that no republic is declared) | work=Ukrayinska Pravda | date=16 April 2014 | accessdate=16 April 2014 | language=Ukrainian}}</ref> The ] monitoring mission in Ukraine later confirmed that the situation in Odessa remained calm.<ref name="OSCEmonitor">{{cite press release | url=http://www.osce.org/ukrainemonitoring/117777 | title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine | publisher=Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=14 April 2014 | accessdate=16 April 2014}}</ref> Local ] and pro-] leaders in Odessa Oblast voiced scepticism about the ] on 20 April. The anti-Maidan leaders insisted that they aimed not at secession, but at the establishment of a wider federative state called ']' within Ukraine.<ref name="OSCEmonitor20">{{cite web | url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117881 | title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine | work=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=20 April 2014 | accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
| A ] was thrown from a passing car at a joint police-Maidan self-defence checkpoint outside ] on 25 April, injuring seven people, and causing heightened tensions in the region.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-ukrainian-activists-recover-after-attack-near-odessa-345704.html | title=Pro-Ukrainian activists recover after attack near Odessa | work=Kyiv Post | date=30 April 2014 | accessdate=2 May 2014 | last=Shevchenko | first=Daryna}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-04/25/c_133290482.htm | title=7 injured in checkpoint explosion in southern Ukraine | agency=Xinhua News Agency | date=25 April 2014 | accessdate=25 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ==2 May city centre clashes== | |||
| ] | |||
| A rally at ] for national unity was held in Sobornaya Square by about 1,500 people, including many ] and ] fans, along with some right-wing ] members, and many ordinary people.<ref name="GPpru">{{cite news | url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140502/pro-ukrainians-pro-russians-clash-odessa | title=Pro-Ukrainians, pro-Russians clash in Odessa | work=Global Post | date=2 May 2014 | agency=Agence France-Presse | accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBCfirereport">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27275383 | title=How did Odessa's fire happen? | publisher=BBC News | date=4 May 2014 | accessdate=4 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="rfe">{{cite news | url=http://www.rferl.org/content/odesa-dispatch-eyewitness-to-a-night-of-deadly-violence/25371973.html | title=Odesa Dispatch: 'Some Murders Are Announced' | publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014 | last=Rykovtseva | first=Elena}}</ref> Joint marches among the sports fans are a regular tradition before all football matches in the area.<ref name=kp4m /> As they marched down Deribasovskaya Street, fans of both teams sang the Ukrainian national anthem together, chanted patriotic slogans such as "Odessa, Kharkiv, Ukraine", and sang other songs against Russian President ].<ref name=kp4m>{{cite news|last=Dibrov|first=Sergiy|title=What really happened in Odessa: A step-by-step reconstruction of a tragedy that killed 46 people|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/what-really-happened-in-odessa-a-step-by-step-reconstruction-of-a-tragedy-that-killed-46-people-video-346192.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=4 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=burncolorado/> ] monitors reported that they saw around one-hundred pro-unity activists in camouflage with sticks and shields participating in the march.<ref name="OSCEmonitor5">{{cite press release | url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118292 | title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine - based on information received up until 02 May 2014 | publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=5 May 2014 | accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> There are claims that both ], a pro-Russian candidate for mayor of Odessa, and ], a pro-Ukrainian who leads ]'s election campaign in the city, had placed ] (paid thugs) in the crowd.<ref name="Econmurk">{{cite news | url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/05/odessas-fire-examined | title=Ukraine's murky inferno | work=The Economist | date=8 March 2014 | accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| Attendees told journalists beforehand that they had found out through ] that "anti-Maidan supporters were calling for everyone to gather and crush the unification march."<ref name=rfe /> One of the pages called on their supporters in Odessa to "take after Donetsk," a reference to pro-Russian attacks that took place against pro-Ukrainian demonstrators in Donetsk days prior.<ref name=kp4m /> A leaflet that said the pro-Russian groups would "defend Odessa from pogroms" was distributed across the city before the rally.<ref name=burncolorado/> | |||
| According to Ukrainian government reports, a bus of pro-Russian separatists was detained while trying to enter the city; the group aboard was immediately released into the city on the order of a high ranking police official.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914082-odesskiy-gubernator-vozlojil-otvetstvennost-za-smerti-na-militsiyu.html |title=Одесский губернатор возложил ответственность за смерти на милицию : Новости УНИАН |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ===Escalation into clashes=== | |||
| This rally was later attacked by a pro-Russian mob of 300 from the group ''Odesskaya Druzhina'' armed with bats and firearms at Hretska Street.<ref name=BBCfirereport/><ref name="KilledBBC">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27259620 | title=Dozens killed in Odessa fire amid clashes | publisher=BBC News | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="GuardianODESSA">{{cite news | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-crisis-pro-russian-forces-claim-assault-on-slavyansk-live-updates | title=Dozens killed in building fire in Odessa, ministry says | work=The Guardian | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref> Both sides fought running battles against each other, exchanging stones and petrol bombs, and built barricades throughout the city during the afternoon.<ref name="WPbattles">{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-army-launches-assault-on-rebel-stronghold/2014/05/02/b1c589e8-be8f-43a1-9927-13310c24b653_story.html | title=Ukraine suffers deadliest day in months; 34 killed in Odessa | work=The Washington Post | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref> Both sides had firearms.<ref>Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner | |||
| for Human Rights. http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/HRMMUReport15June2014.pdf</ref> Some eyewitness accounts said the first victim was a pro-Ukraine protester shot with an automatic weapon in the lung around 13:40 local time,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/224158/ | title=Вчера в Одессе сепаратисты расстреливали проукраинских митингующих. Фотофакт (Yesterday in Odessa separatists shot pro-Ukrainian protesters) | work=News of Donbass | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014 | language=Russian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.liga.net/photo/society/1596337-v_internete_poyavilis_foto_vooruzhennykh_odesskikh_separatistov.htm#5|title=On the Internet there Odessa photo armed separatists | work=Liga News | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> and that an anti-Maidan supporter, armed with a ], opened fire in a lane leading to ].<ref name=kp4m /> Some shots were fired from the roof top of the ] to shoot down at the crowds.<ref name="BBCfirereport" /> | |||
| ===Trade Unions House fire=== | |||
| ] | |||
| As soon as word spread about the attack by pro-Russian demonstrators, a call by pro-Ukrainian demonstrators to go to Kulikovo Field and destroy the anti-Maidan camp emerged on ].<ref name=rfe /> As a result, the pro-Russian crowd was later overwhelmed by the pro-Ukrainian demonstrators, and their encampment outside the Trade Unions House building was torched.<ref name=BBCfirereport/><ref name="g054" /><ref name="UNIAN3" /> This forced the pro-Russian forces to enter that building, and occupy it.<ref name="UNIAN3">{{cite news | url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914049-v-odesse-proukrainskie-aktivistyi-likvidirovali-lager-separatistov.html | title=В Одессе проукраинские активисты ликвидировали лагерь сепаратистов (In Odessa, the pro-Ukrainian activists eliminated the separatists) | agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014 | language=Russian}}</ref> The building is five storeys tall, and is the headquarters of the Odessa regional federation of trade unions.<ref name="Unianimport">{{cite news | url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914096-v-dome-profsoyuzov-v-odesse-naydeno-36-trupov-gschs.html | title=В Доме профсоюзов в Одессе найдено 36 трупов - ГСЧС (In the House of Trade Unions in Odessa found 36 corpses - GSCHS) | agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> It is located on Kulikovo Field, in the city centre.<ref name="Unianimport" /> | |||
| Reports about the precise sequence of events that followed vary between different sources. While defending the building, militants on the roof tossed rocks and ] at the protesters below.<ref name="BBCfirereport" /><ref name="g054">{{cite news | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-dead-odessa-building-fire | title=Dozens reported dead after Odessa building fire | work=The Guardian | quote="Pro-Russia fighters mounted a last-ditch defence of the burning building, throwing masonry and petrol bombs from the roof on to the crowd below."| date=2 May 2014 | last=Amos | first=Howard}}</ref><ref name=kp4m /><ref>{{cite web|last=Will |first=From |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/473754/Dozens-killed-by-smoke-as-Ukraine-moves-closer-to-civil-war |title=Dozens killed by smoke as Ukraine moves closer to civil war | World |work=Daily Express |date=2 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> A report by the ] (UNIAN) said that the pro-united Ukraine crowd began to throw petrol bombs into the building after having been fired upon by the pro-Russian group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914095-kak-gorel-dom-profsoyuzov-v-odesse.html#ad-image-0 |title=Как горел Дом профсоюзов в Одессе : Новости УНИАН |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> ] said that the situation was unclear, with multiple sources indicating that both sides had been throwing petrol bombs at each other. One eyewitness told the BBC that the fire started on the third floor when a petrol bomb was thrown at a closed window from inside the building, and the ] reported that several flaming bottles held by Ukrainian unity activists outside were thrown into the front entrance, and through the windows on the second and fourth floors.<ref name="BBCfirereport" /><ref name="KilledBBC"/><ref name=kp4m /> An official investigation conducted by the Ukrainian ] stated that while no firearms were found inside the building, those on the roof were shooting at the crowd below, and accidentally set the building on fire whilst throwing petrol bombs from above.<ref>{{cite web|author=14 May 2014 06:59 |url=http://www.unn.com.ua/ru/news/1337991-v-militsiyi-nazivayut-domislami-informatsiyu-pro-nibito-zagiblikh-v-odesi-rosiyan-i-pridnistrovtsiv |title=В милиции называют домыслами информацию о якобы погибших в Одессе россиян и приднестровцев. Информационное агентство Украинские Национальные Новости (УНН). Все онлайн новости дня в Украине за сегодня - самые свежие, последние |publisher=Unn.com.ua |date=9 August 2013 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-russia-behind-kidnapping-of-osce-military-observers-updates-videos-346066.html |title=Police say pro-Russians accidentally set fatal Odessa fire with Molotov cocktails (LIVE UPDATES, VIDEO) |work=Kyiv Post |date=3 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> ], a television news network funded by the Russian state, disputed this report, saying that the fire was started intentionally by "pro-Kiev radicals", and that those who died were "anti-government activists."<ref name="RTfireradicals" /> | |||
| ] | |||
| Regardless of who started the fire, it is known that it started on the second and third floors of the building, and quickly spread.<ref name="Unianimport" /> Firefighters were slow to respond, arriving an hour after the fire began.<ref name=kp4m /> Thirteen units of fire and rescue ] were sent to the scene, but were prevented from operating because of the large number of people gathered around the building.<ref name="Unianimport" /> Fifty pro-Russian activists remained on the roof, barricading themselves in and refusing to leave, while others were seen attempting to jump out of the windows.<ref name="RTfireradicals">{{cite news | url=http://rt.com/news/156480-odessa-fire-protesters-dead/ | title=31 people die after radicals set Trade Unions House on fire in Ukraine's Odessa | publisher=RT|location=Russia | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> Some of the of those who tried to escape the fire were set upon and beaten during their attempts to flee by some Ukrainian unity demonstrators, while other demonstrators saved several dozen people in rooms on the second and third floor.<ref name=kp4m /><ref name="burncolorado" /><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10806656/Ukraine-crisis-death-by-fire-in-Odessa-as-country-suffers-bloodiest-day-since-the-revolution.html | title=Death by fire in Odessa as country suffers bloodiest day since the revolution | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> Some outside the building chanted "burn ], burn," referring to a ] for pro-Russian activists who wear the ].<ref name="burncolorado">{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/world/europe/kievs-reins-weaken-as-chaos-spreads.html?hpw&rref=world&_r=0 | title=Ukraine's Reins Weaken as Chaos Spreads | work=The New York Times | date=4 May 2014 | accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> Local pro-Ukrainian unity protesters said that no one in Odessa's pro-Ukrainian movement knew the people that were seen chanting such slogans outside the burning building.<ref name="Econmurk" /> | |||
| ===Casualties=== | |||
| Thirty-two people died whilst trapped in the burning Trade Unions House; twenty-three from ], and eight after leaping from windows to escape the flames.<ref name="Telegraphspreads">{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10805412/Ukraine-crisis-dozens-killed-in-Odessa-fire-as-violence-spreads-to-countrys-south.html | title=Dozens killed in Odessa fire as violence spreads to country's south | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> In total, forty-three people died in one day as a result of the clashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/krivavi-sutichki-v-odesi-zabrali-zhittya-43-osib-25-perebuvayut-u-tyazhkomu-stani-347951.html |title=Криваві сутички в Одесі забрали життя 43 осіб, 25 перебувають у тяжкому стані - Новини України на 1+1 - ТСН.ua |publisher=Tsn.ua |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> Police said at least three people were shot dead.<ref name=dead>{{cite news | url=http://www.voanews.com/content/gunfire-blasts-heard-in-eastern-ukraine/1905925.html | title=Ukraine Chaos Spreads to Odessa as 38 Killed in Fire Related to Unrest | publisher=Voice of America | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timer.od.ua/news/ofitsial_no_na_kulikovom_pole_pogib_31_chelovek_na_grecheskoy_chetvero_ostorojno_foto_415.html|title=Официально: на Куликовом поле погиб 31 человек, на Греческой – четверо (осторожно, фото)|publisher=|accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/05/2/7024213/ |title=МВС уточнив: у пожежі в Одесі загинула 31 особа | Українська правда |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> Hospital staff reported that 174 were injured, and 25 were in critical condition.<ref name="insider170">{{cite web | url=http://www.theinsider.ua/politics/u-likarnyakh-odesi-bilshe-170-postrazhdalikh/ | title=У лікарнях Одеси - більше 170 постраждалих (Hospitals in Odessa - more than 170 injured) | work=The Insider | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014 | language=Ukrainian}}</ref> 172 people were reported arrested as a result of the conflict, and 38 pro-Russian militants were arrested by police after they had evacuated the burning building.<ref name="arrest172">{{cite news | url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914210-mvd-bolshinstvo-zaderjannyih-v-odesse-grajdane-rossii-i-jiteli-pridnestrovya.html | title=MIA: Most of the detainees in Odessa - Russian citizens and residents of Transnistria | agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timer.od.ua/news/boynya_na_kulikovom_pole_militsiya_zaderjala_38_antimaydanovtsev_583.html|title=Бойня на Куликовом поле: милиция задержала 38 "антимайдановцев"|publisher=|accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| A TSN correspondent reported that of those who died in the fire, fifteen were Russian citizens, and five were from ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Наразі пожежа вже ліквідована, проте її причини досі невідомі|url=http://tsn.ua/politika/zhertvami-pozhezhi-v-odesi-stali-15-rosiyan-ta-p-yatero-gromadyan-pridnistrov-ya-347944.html|publisher=TSN.ua|date=2 May 2014}}</ref> Odessa City Council deputy Dmitry Spivak also said that some of the rioters were from Transnistria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unimedia.info/stiri/video-ciocniri-violente-in-odesa-cel-putin-38-de-morti-75866.html |title=(video) Ciocniri violente în Odesa: Cel puțin 38 de morți |publisher=Unimedia.info |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> The ] stated that the identity of most of the victims had not been determined on 2 May, despite these reports.<ref>{{cite news|title=В міліції називають домислами інформацію про нібито загиблих в Одесі росіян і придністровців|url=http://www.unn.com.ua/uk/news/1337991-v-militsiyi-nazivayut-domislami-informatsiyu-pro-nibito-zagiblikh-v-odesi-rosiyan-i-pridnistrovtsiv|newspaper=Українські національні новини|date=3 May 2014}}</ref> On the day after the clashes, the Odessa office of the Interior Ministry issued another statement saying that eight of those who died in the fire were identified, and that all of them were from Odessa.<ref>, ], 3 May 2014| language=Russian</ref> It was later determined that all of those who died in the fire were from Odessa.<ref name="KPwho">{{cite news | url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/odessa-who-is-to-blame-for-46-odessa-deaths-346817.html | title=Odessa: Who is to blame for 46 Odessa deaths? | work=Kyiv Post | date=7 May 2014 | accessdate=10 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ===Aftermath=== | |||
| ]]] | |||
| The city of Odessa announced that three ] would be held in honour of those who lost their lives in the clashes.<ref name="slaughter">{{cite news | url=http://rt.com/news/156592-odessa-activists-burnt-alive/ | title=Odessa slaughter: How vicious mob burnt anti-govt activists alive | publisher=RT|location=Russia | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> Ukrainian interim President ] followed suit, declaring two days of national mourning for those who died in the clashes, also those who died during a ] in ].<ref name="slaughter" /> | |||
| Both pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian demonstrators gathered outside the burnt Trade Unions House on the day after the clashes.<ref name="ventanger">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27268775 | title=Russia sympathisers vent anger at Ukraine Odessa deaths | publisher=BBC News | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> Roughly 2,000 pro-Russian protesters gathered outside, chanting: "Odessa is a Russian city."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.voanews.com/content/ukrainian-anti-terror-chief-this-is-war-/1906900.html | title=Ukrainе Anti-Terror Chief: This Is War | work=Voice of America News | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> There was a heavy police presence, and some minor scuffles between protesters.<ref name="ventanger" /> In another outbreak of unrest, the Interior Ministry's headquarters in Odessa was attacked by several hundred pro-Russian activists on 4 May.<ref name="HQattacked">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27276120 | title=Odessa detainees freed as police HQ attacked | publisher=BBC News | date=4 May 2014 | accessdate=4 May 2014}}</ref> Originally a protest, the events later turned violent when masked demonstrators with improvised weapons started breaking windows, and forcing gates open.<ref name="HQattacked" /> In an attempt to pacify the protesters, the officials inside the building released between 30 and 67 of those arrested in the aftermath of the clashes.<ref name="HQattacked" /> Elsewhere in the city, supporters of ] attacked a Ukrainian reporter for Channel 5 news.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/05/4/7024357/ |title=Прихильники федералізації в Одесі напали на журналістів | Українська правда |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=4 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> A rally of several hundred pro-Ukrainian activists marched to the site of the fire, raised the ] from the central flagpole, and observed a moment of silence for the victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914420-v-odesse-aktivistyi-na-kulikovom-pole-ustanovili-flag-ukrainyi.html |title=В Одессе активисты на Куликовом поле установили флаг Украины : Новости УНИАН |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| In response to the conflict, Odessa governor Nemirovsky announced the formation of a 'territorial defence battalion' of the army and would be recruiting to quickly restore order in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/05/4/7024366/ |title=Одеса створює власний батальйон для самозахисту | Українська правда |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=4 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ===Investigation=== | |||
| Investigators are probing four theories: an order to extremist groups to destabilise the situation in Ukraine; unlawful activity by Odessa regional authorities and police aimed at discrediting the current central government; unchecked actions by football fans and pro-Russia groups; and a provocation by radical individuals.<ref name=kpch /> | |||
| ====Chloroform==== | |||
| Then-presidential candidate ] told journalists about a closed session of parliament where evidence was presented that "toxic substances" had been placed in the Trade Unions House to facilitate an increased death toll,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/donetsk-airport-closed-as-casualties-mount-in-odesa-live-updates-346417.html|title=Poroshenko says toxic chemicals were used in Odesa trade union fire; Deshchytsia, Lavrov to have working dinner (LIVE UPDATES)|work=KyivPost|accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref> and that the events were organised in advance by Russian and local officials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/05/6/7024557/|title=,|publisher=|accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| Amid the ingoing investigation, Ukraine's deputy Interior Minister and Chief Investigator Vitaliy Sakal told journalists on 19 May that traces of ] had been found in the building, and that thirty-two deaths in the building were attributed to the inhalation of an as yet unidentified substance. Sakal added that the mixture containing ] had been in the Trade Unions building for several days. Sakal said that an investigation to determine the substance's origin was ongoing, and that Ukrainian investigators have urged the Israeli Embassy to provide skilled professionals to assist Ukrainian specialists in this regard.<ref name=kpch>{{cite news|title=Interior Ministry: Chloroform discovered in Odessa Trade Unions building where 32 died|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/interior-ministry-chloroform-discovered-in-odessa-trade-unions-building-348449.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=19 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ====Russian nationals==== | |||
| The day after the fire, the Interior Ministry released a statement saying that 172 people had been arrested. They said that the meticulous preparation of the unrest in the town was evident from the fact that the majority of the detainees who had been identified at the time were Russian nationals and residents of Transnistria. Police confiscated firearms and a significant amount of incendiary mixture during the arrests.<ref name=arrest172 /> | |||
| That same day Vitaly Yarema, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, said there were foreigners among both the participants of mass riots and the victims in Odessa. | |||
| According to the ] (SBU), the clashes that took place involved the participation of 'illegal military groups' and mercenaries coordinated in Transnistria by subversive groups from Russia, and financed by former members of the Yanukovych government.<ref name=arrest172 /><ref name=znrus /> Named were former Prime Minister ] and former Deputy Prime Minister ]. "Subversion in the Ukrainian city of Odessa that was financed by former top officials targeted at disrupting stability in the south of Ukraine," said Kateryna Kosareva, SBU press spokeswoman. "Its organizers were planning that it would be the beginning of full scale instability in the rest of the southern regions of our country."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-yanukovych-allies-arbuzov-and-klymenko-financed-riots-in-odessa-346099.html |title=SBU: Yanukovych allies Arbuzov and Klymenko financed riots in Odessa |work=Kyiv Post |date=3 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| The ] (MVS) announced that among the conflict organizers it had detained, at least three were citizens of the Russian Federation. Among them were named Evgeny Mefedov, from ]; Andrei Krasilnikov, from ]; and Alexander Zolotashko.<ref name=znrus>{{cite news|title=СБУ и МИД заявили о причастности россиян к провокациям и беспорядкам в Одессе|url=http://zn.ua/UKRAINE/sbu-i-mid-zayavili-o-prichastii-rossiyan-k-provokaciyam-i-besporyadkam-v-odesse-144360_.html|newspaper=ZN|date=3 May 2014}}</ref> The SBU then identified other Russian citizens arrested: Boris Demylov; Sergei Pavlov; Alexander Vdovin; Sergei Sidorenko; and Dmitri Bormotov, from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/05/4/7024370/ |title=СБУ уточнила список росіян, причетних до бойні в Одесі | Українська правда |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ====Involvement==== | |||
| ], chairman of the Odessa regional government, stated that the conflict could have been avoided had police fulfilled their duties, and accused police of inciting the confrontation and taking bribes to switch allegiance to the separatists' side. Several police were seen donning the red armbands worn by pro-Russian rioters.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/miliciya-v-odesi-diyala-spilno-z-prorosiyskimi-radikalami-gubernator-347949.html | title=Odessa police officers appear involved in bloody riots | work=TCH | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014 | language=Ukrainian}}</ref> | |||
| The leadership of the local police was then fired and may face criminal charges. "The police in Odessa acted outrageously, possibly in a criminal fashion," Interior Minister Avakov stated. "The 'honor of the uniform' will offer no cover." He then announced the formation of a new civilian-based special police force named "Kiev-1" to help police the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABREA400LI20140505?sp=true |title=Ukraine moves forces to Odessa, helicopter downed in east | Top News |agency=Reuters |date=5 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Nolan Feeney |url=http://time.com/87043/ukraine-odessa-police-violence/ |title=Ukraine: Violence in Odessa Continues After Friday Fire |work=Time |date=4 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ], the interior minister, blamed local politicians for the events. People suspected of complicity include city council members, elections workers, police, relatives of former police officers, and active anti-Maidan campaigners. Twelve people were arrested, but their names were not disclosed.<ref name=kpch /> | |||
| ===Reactions=== | |||
| {{flag|Ukraine}} – "We believe that a full and impartial investigation, which is being conducted by law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, will enable us to find not only the perpetrators of the tragedy, but also their puppeteers and sponsors both in Ukraine and in Russia," the ] said in a statement.<ref name=znrus /> "That which we saw in Odessa was a ] provocation to deflect attention from the anti-terrorist operation " said acting presidential chief of staff ]. "They want to show that situation is not stable, but what happened in Odessa showed something else, that the people's patience has run out." Pashynsky also stated that the FSB armed pro-Russian militants in Odessa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/presidential-administration-russias-federal-security-service-armed-odesa-separatists-346063.html |title=Presidential Administration: Russia’s Federal Security Service armed Odesa separatists |work=Kyiv Post |date=3 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> Acting president Turchynov said Russian special forces were working with success to destabilise Ukraine, helped by "guest stars from Transnistria."<ref>{{cite web|last=Miliukov |first=Oleksander |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/04/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA400LI20140504 |title=Pro-Russians storm Odessa police station, PM slams local police |agency=Reuters |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {{flag|Russia|name=Russian Federation}} – Russia's Foreign Ministry said that the fire was "yet another manifestation of the criminal irresponsibility of the Kiev authorities who indulge insolent radical nationalists … which are engaging in a campaign of physical terror", against those wanting 'greater autonomy' living in Russian-speaking regions.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/02/police-38-dead-in-protes_n_5255399.html |title=Odessa Building Fire Kills Dozens |work=Huffington Post |date=2 May 2014 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ;Other countries | |||
| {{flag|Bulgaria}} – Bulgarian Foreign Minister ] condemned the Odessa clashes "in the strongest possible terms" and expressed condolences to the victims' families. He urged the Ukrainian government to "abide by its obligations to disarm paramilitaries...limit the influence of far-right groups" and all parties to refrain from further provocations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.bg/bg/events/6/1/2845/index.html|title=Kristian Vigenin: We insist on a thorough investigation of the events in Odessa |publisher=]|language=Bulgarian |date=3 May 2014 |accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {{flag|Belarus}} – President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin "The developments in Odessa are simply unimaginable. I would like to have a frank discussion, behind the scenes, so to speak, about the situation in Ukraine and to coordinate our actions, because clearly, this crisis is not going to end tomorrow, and it has a direct impact on you and on us."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.news.kremlin.ru/news/7151|title=President of Russia: Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko |date=May 8, 2014 |publisher=Presidential Executive Office, Russian Federation |accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {{flag|Armenia}} – President of Armenia ] said "Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned by the growth of violence in Ukraine, including the events in Odessa, Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and other regions. We cannot but worry about the current situation also because there are more than half a million Armenians living in Ukraine."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/05/08/serzh-sargsyan-crisis-in-ukraine-should-be-solved-exceptionally-through-peaceful-means/ |title=Serzh Sargsyan: Crisis in Ukraine should be solved exceptionally through peaceful means|work=Public Radio of Armenia |date=8 May 2014 |author=Siranush Ghazanchyan |accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {{flag|United States}} – US State Department: "The United States today mourns with all Ukrainians the heartbreaking loss of life in Odessa. Today the international community must stand together in support of the Ukrainian people as they cope with this tragedy".<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/05/225566.htm | title=Tragic Loss of Life in Odesa | publisher=United States Department of State | date=2 May 2014 | accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {{flag|Canada}} – Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, said the latest incidents were "very deeply concerning" and accused President Vladimir Putin of starting a "slow-motion invasion" of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/05/05/vladimir-putin-mounting-a-slow-motion-invasion-of-ukraine-stephen-harper-tells-nato/|title=Vladimir Putin mounting a 'slow-motion invasion' of Ukraine, Stephen Harper tells NATO - National Post|author=Canadian Press|date=5 May 2014|work=National Post|accessdate=15 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ===Gallery=== | |||
| <gallery> | |||
| File:Odessa Russian Spring 2014040607.JPG|Pro-Russian encampment outside the Trade Unions House | |||
| File:RussianSpringOdessa20140420 08.JPG|Meeting of pro-Russian activists in Odessa at Kulikovo Pole square on 20 April | |||
| </gallery> | |||
| ==Further events== | |||
| {{main|December 2014 Odessa bombings}} | |||
| About sixty people gathered on Kulikovo Field to commemorate the 2 May fire on 13 July.<ref name="OSCE157">{{cite press release | url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/121316 | title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 14 July | publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=15 July 2014 | accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> The demonstration was peaceful. Another demonstration on the field on the same day drew about 120 people. They chanted "Donbass, we are with you", in reference to the ongoing ].<ref name="OSCE157" /> Odessa city mayor ] told OSCE monitors on 23 July that the "underlying tensions" of the 2 May clashes remained in the city, and that he feared for the city's security.<ref name="OSCE257">{{cite press release | url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/121790 | title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 23 July | publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=24 July 2014 | accessdate=25 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
| Odessa was struck by six bomb blasts in December 2014, one of which killed one person (the injuries sustained by the victim indicated that he had dealt with explosives).<ref name="Bombing Campaign Dec14">, ] (9 January 2015)</ref><ref name=Shkiryak>, ] (28 December 2014)<br>, ] (25 December 2014)</ref><ref>, ] (10 December 2014)<br>, ] (27 December 2014)</ref> Internal Affairs Ministry advisor ] said on 25 December that Odessa and Kharkiv had become "cities which are being used to escalate tensions" in Ukraine. Shkiryak said that he suspected that these cities were singled out because of their "geographic position".<ref name=Shkiryak/> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|30em}} | |||
| {{2013–15 Ukrainian crisis navbox}} | |||
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