Odessa Ukraine
Disturbing reports are coming from Odessa in the Ukraine of pro Russian supporters backing the separatist movement to become independent of the Government in Kiev.
“Odessa is in real danger.” Says one commentator. “Everything is bad and the authorities are silent.”
Odessa is the third largest city in the Ukraine, and even in Soviet times its million inhabitants enjoyed a measure of regional independence.
It’s a major warm water port opening onto the Black Sea and also a cultural centre. It hosts a multi- ethnic population and the Russians call it ‘Southern Palmira’.
On May 2 2014 42 people were reported to have been killed in clashes.