On this sorrowful day, when we mark 6 years since the tragic events in Odesa, the MFA of Ukraine deplores the hypocrisy of the Russian propaganda that continues exploiting this tragedy to incite hostility and hatred.
The events in Odesa on 2 May 2014, became another element in a chain of provocations that the Russian Federation resorted to in pursuit of its failed project of “Novorossiya”, aimed at destabilizing Ukraine’s East and South as well as disintegrating Ukraine.
Extremist forces in Odesa followed the same scenario masterminded earlier by Russia in Donbas – they proclaimed a fake “people’s republic”, initiated violent riots with the use of arms and support by militants from outside, intimidated local activists, tried to paralyze local authorities and security forces.
The 2nd of May had to become a decisive day for the implementation of these plans. The attack of armed extremists under Russian flags against a peaceful rally supporting the unity of Ukraine triggered further events and led to first casualties. It speaks volumes that in its statements on the matter, the Russian side has never mentioned bloody events in the city centre, which preceded the fire in the Trade Unions House. Russia has also been silent about the established facts of ignitions inside the Trade Unions House, as well as about pro-unity activists rescuing people trapped in the burning Trade Unions House.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies do their best to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. As a result of criminal investigations of the events in Odesa on 2 May 2014, 37 charging documents were filed with the court. 3 individuals were convicted. The State Investigations Bureau carries out a separate pre-trial investigation under criminal proceedings on a suspected involvement of Russian secret services in the organization of violent riots in Odesa.
Russia seems to be the only party not interested in establishing the true picture of tragic events in Odesa or the causes of the tragedy. Not only did Moscow cover up Dmytro Fuchedzhy, former deputy chief of the Head Office of the Ministry of Interior in Odesa region and one of the main suspects of the investigation, but reportedly granted him Russian citizenship and refused Ukraine's bid for his extradition under this pretext.
Moreover, during the negotiations on the mutual release of detained persons in September – December 2019, Russia insisted that Ukraine handed over at least 9 individuals, who were direct or indirect organizers and participants of the violent riots in Odesa under Russian flags.
We call on the international community to intensify common efforts to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation, which are significant elements of the Russian aggression and destabilizing activities against Ukraine and other democratic states.