Ukraine crisis: Deadly bomb blast hits rally in Kharkiv

Two people were killed, including a police officer and at least 10 more people were injured.

17:20 23 February 2015

A bomb went off as hundreds of people were holding a rally at Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv to mark a year since the Kiev uprising led to the fall of the pro-Russia leader Viktor Yanukovych. Two people were killed including a police officer while at least 10 more people were injured.

 

Officials have confirmed that four suspects were arrested in connection to the attack.

 

Kharkiv lies outside the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, where a ceasefire currently being observed. Both the government and the rebels have agreed to pull back heavy weapons starting this week. The two sides also agreed to exchange 191 prisoners.

 

However, experts say that a number of factors could taint the deal with so much suspicion and bad faith between two sides. The terms of the ceasefire continues to be breached, notably in Debaltseve, a key transport hub captured by rebels in recent days.

 

Alexander Hug added that the humanitarian situation there was "relatively catastrophic".

"The local population reported to us that there is no water, no food, no gas, no heating, no electricity, no medication. And all the buildings that our monitors have seen (...) have been affected by the fighting," he said.