New findings contradict Russian claims of a massacre in Odessa last year

The May 2 Group has published new findings about the Odessa incident, disproving Russian Propaganda about the tragic event in which 42 people lost their lives.

Most of the information published by both Ukrainian and Russian media about the confrontation between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Federalism activists in Odessa on 2 May 2014 concern the fire in the Trade Union Building on Kulikovo Pole. Claims that this was a ‘massacre’ by Ukrainian ‘radicals’ with survivors beaten to death appeared in the Russian media at the outset and have been relentlessly pushed ever since.

Member of the May 2 Group and biochemist, Vladislav Balinsky has recently published important information regarding the fire itself. This supplements earlier findings which seriously undermine the claim that pro-federalism activists had fled from enraged ‘fascist radicals’ into the Trade Union building.

Balinsky presents evidence indicating that at least some of the pro-federalism activists had set up barricades inside the Trade Union building just before the attack, with stockpiles of Molotov cocktails and inflammatory liquid ready for them.

Also, the investigation shows that both sides were hurling Molotov cocktails towards each other. Whilst the Group condemns both sides for the use of these dangerous devices and does not deny its consequences, it claims to have found proof that the fire was the only reason for the tragic deaths, and has video footage showing desperate attempts by pro-unity activists to rescue those trapped in the building.

Furthermore, they found evidence of an arranged armed defence made by pro-federalists, and an unfortunate delayed response from the fire brigade which could have saved multiple lives. According to the Group, “it was pro-unity activists who succeeded in rescuing several dozen people from the smoke-filled offices on the second and third floor of the building.”

The publication added: “The use of carefully edited material and disregard for clear documentary and video evidence that disproves the massacre claims leave no scope for illusion regarding the motives of those who so loudly voice them… Those pushing a massacre narrative about the May 2 tragedy are well aware of the incendiary effect their words can and do have. There are frequent reports of young men citing Odessa as the reason they felt compelled to come to Donbas and fight on the side of the Kremlin-backed militants.”

The civic initiative of the May 2 Group was formed soon after the tragedy, with representatives from both sides of the conflict. It has worked on studying the evidence, speaking with witnesses and the families of those killed in order to establish what actually happened.

 For the full report, click here.

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