08:09
3.5.2014
More from our news desk on the release of the OSCE monitors.
A group of seven OSCE observers and their Ukrainian assistants who were being held by pro-Russian forces in the eastern Ukrainian town of Slovyansk have been freed.
Vladimir Lukin, a special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is quoted as saying on May 3 that "all 12 people on my list have been freed."
The team of observers was detained on April 25.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Interior Ministry reports that Ukrainian forces have taken control of the airport and a television tower in the town of Kramatorsk.
The ministry's website said on May 3 that all checkpoints around the town are now under the control of Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said military operations against pro-Russian separatists in the east resumed at dawn on May 3.
Vladimir Lukin, a special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is quoted as saying on May 3 that "all 12 people on my list have been freed."
The team of observers was detained on April 25.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Interior Ministry reports that Ukrainian forces have taken control of the airport and a television tower in the town of Kramatorsk.
The ministry's website said on May 3 that all checkpoints around the town are now under the control of Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said military operations against pro-Russian separatists in the east resumed at dawn on May 3.
08:06
3.5.2014
This horrific video appears to show Ukrainian nationalists lobbing Molotov cocktails into the trade union building, where over 30 people reportedly died yesterday in a fire.
The Kyiv Post has a write up of the incident.
And it's hard not to agree with Ben Judah's conclusion here.
The Kyiv Post has a write up of the incident.
The Interior Ministry reports that at least 31 people died in the fire, a majority of whom suffocated. Some died in a desperate attempt to escape after leaping from the building's meters-high windows. The Odessa city website, meanwhile, reports that 41 were killed and another 123 injured, according to its preliminary findings.
The blaze began after pro-Russian separatists clashed with activists partaking in a rally filled with supporters for a united Ukraine. The rival groups hurled cobblestones, smoke grenades and Molotov cocktails at each other.
A mob shouted "Glory to Ukraine" and "Death to enemies" as the building burned with people inside.
The blaze began after pro-Russian separatists clashed with activists partaking in a rally filled with supporters for a united Ukraine. The rival groups hurled cobblestones, smoke grenades and Molotov cocktails at each other.
A mob shouted "Glory to Ukraine" and "Death to enemies" as the building burned with people inside.
And it's hard not to agree with Ben Judah's conclusion here.
07:50
3.5.2014
BREAKING: Russian envoy Vladimir Lukin is quoted as saying that the OSCE observers being held in eastern Ukraine have now been released.
07:37
3.5.2014
This is the trade union building this morning, where people lost their lives in the fire yesterday.
07:32
3.5.2014
Graphic video of the scene last night in Odesa, where dozens died in a fire in a building taken over by pro-Russian separatists.
20:47
2.5.2014
Barring any late breaking news, that ends or blogging for May 2. See RFERL.org for news overnight.
20:46
2.5.2014
Aftermath in Odesa:
20:45
2.5.2014
20:20
2.5.2014
Outside forces fighting in Odesa?
19:47
2.5.2014