A powerful explosion took place in the center of Kharkiv during the march to mark the anniversary of the Euromaidan revolution. According to preliminary reports, as a result of the explosion near the Sports Palace in Kharkiv, three people were killed and more than 10 wounded.
The local publication SQ reports that the explosion took place around 13:10 as people were lining up at the beginning of the column. Several witnesses report that a grenade was thrown out of a passing car. Others say a bomb was set off by remote control However, there is still no official confirmation of this information.
Within half an hour, 6-7 ambulances arrived on the scene. According to unofficial information, the activist Ihor Tolmachov and a security officer are among the dead. The dead were covered with Ukrainian national flags.
Several hundred people with Ukrainian flags had gathered for the march in central Kharkiv to demonstrate support for the unity of Ukraine. People held banners stating “Victory = Reforms,” “When will the government adopt a new way?”
Participants were planning to go to the Constitution square in the city center. At 14:00 a memorial service was to held there for the fallen participants of the Revolution of Dignity and the ATO soldiers.
In social networks witnesses have reported that correspondents of the Russian propaganda channel LifeNews were seen immediately at the scene.
Kharkiv deputy mayor Svitlana Horbunova-Ruban said that most of the victims were taken to the city hospital No. 17.