The bomb explosion took place at 1:20 p.m. in the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, during the peace March of Dignity. Two people are dead, a police officer and the leader of Kharkiv’s EuroMaidan movement Ihor Rassokha, and 15-year-old male with an open brain injury caused by an explosion has gone into a coma and then died on Monday in the hospital. As it was reported from the blast suffered 15 citizens who with different types of injury were taken to the hospital.
The Security Service of Ukraine reported on the detention of four people, allegedly involved in the bombing and prevention of several other terrorist attacks:
“As we have already reported, the Security Service of Ukraine detained four persons who may be involved in preparing and committing terrorist crimes in the city of Kharkiv, including explosion, which killed two and injured eight citizens,” said SBU Chairman’s adviser Markiian Lubkivskyi.
“I would like to inform you that a series of terrorist attacks on Feb. 22 was prepared in Kharkiv. In particular, the counterintelligence department in cooperation with the Office of the SBU in the Kharkiv region managed to prevent a terrorist act of the Kharkiv Partizans terrorist organization. Four persons were caught while trying to fire PRO-A Shmel flamethrower at a club where ATO soldiers and volunteers often gather, as well as at one of the city’s shopping malls. Other sabotage and terrorist activities were also planned.”
SBU Chairman’s adviser also notes that terrorist attacks has the connection with Russia and the trail leads to Belgorod, the Russian Federation:
“The withdrawn Smel was produced in Russia. According to the detainees, it was received by the leader of the group in Belgorod (Russia). Due to the explosion and attempts to commit other acts of terrorism, the Security Service of Ukraine announced the highest level of antiterrorism awareness in Kharkiv. Security forces are conducting extern and large-scale counter-terrorism measures in close cooperation,” Markiian Lubkivskyi.
Monday, February 23, 2015, is a day of mourning in Kharkiv, a moment of silence is scheduled for 13:00 (GMT+2)
