MORE than 30 people have died in a “criminal” blaze in Ukraine’s southern city of Odessa after a day of violent clashes between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian militants.
Ukraine’s interior ministry gave a toll of at least 31 dead, revising down an earlier tally of 38 killed.
It said the fire had a “criminal” source but did not elaborate, nor did the ministry immediately identify the victims.
Deadly ... this still grabbed on TV images released by INTER, shows a man covering the bloodied body of a man with an Ukrainian flag during a demonstration in Odessa. Source: AFP
Some local media reported that pro-Russian militants were believed to have been in the building at the time, and that petrol bombs were lobbed between the building and a group of pro-Kiev militants.
That information could not be immediately confirmed.
The interior ministry said most of those killed died of smoke inhalation, while others were killed trying to escape by jumping out of windows.
United stand ... Ukrainian government supporter walks past a line of self-defence activists during a clash with pro-Russians in the Black Sea port of Odessa. Source: AP
Earlier, clashes between the pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian protesters killed four people — the first eruption of violence in the south after weeks of mounting unrest in Ukraine’s east.
Odessa, a city of one million inhabitants, is located on the Black Sea coast, close to the border with Moldova and its breakaway state of Transdniestr, where Russia has troops stationed since a short war in 1992.
Ukraine’s Western-backed government accuses Russia of fomenting the rebellion taking over swathes of its eastern territory.
Earlier, the Kremlin warned of “catastrophic consequences” after Kiev authorities ordered a counter-terror operation against the siege city of Slavyansk.
Fearless ... a Ukrainian government supporter carries stones during a clash with pro-Russians in the Black Sea port of Odessa, Ukraine. Source: AP
Insurgents shot down two army helicopters, killing two service-men. And a third helicopter was hit but managed to land safely.
Kiev claimed one chopper was hit by a surface-to-air missile, proving Moscow’s involvement.
The crisis has increased fears of a Russian invasion — with 40,000 of President Vladimir Putin’s troops gathering at the border.
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