Accessibility links

Breaking News

Grenades Found In Odesa On Anniversary Of Deadly Clash


Police in Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odesa say they found three hand grenades on May 2 ahead of a commemoration ceremony for the 48 people who were killed in a 2014 clash between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian demonstrators.

Odesa city police said the grenades were found in an underpass near Kulikovo field and the Trade Unions building, where 48 people were killed in the May 2, 2014, clashes.

Police say they received an anonymous phone call earlier on May 2 in which the caller warned that the area had been mined.

The Odesa regional police chief, Giorgi Lortkipanidze, said about 3,000 police officers were at the site checking the area after the grenades were discovered.

Later, more than 500 people bearing flowers and banners with pictures of the victims massed outside metal detectors set up around the Odesa square where the clashes took place in 2014.

They eventually released black balloons and white doves after it became clear the police would not let them approach the Trade Unions building.

Twenty residents of Odesa are currently on trial for their alleged involvement in the 2014 clash, which led to the deaths of six people on the streets and an inferno at the Trade Union where 42 Kremlin supporters died.

With reporting by UNIAN
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has seen its audience grow significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and is among the most cited media outlets in the country. Its bold, in-depth reporting from the front lines has won many accolades and awards. Its comprehensive coverage also includes award-winning reporting by the Donbas.Realities and Crimea.Realities projects and the Schemes investigative unit.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG