How Russian propaganda distorts the events in Odesa on May 2, 2014
russian propaganda has intensified the spread of manipulations, speculations and fakes dedicated to the anniversary of the events in Odesa on May 2, 2014. russian propaganda outlets are massively spreading reports about the alleged “neo-Nazi atrocities in Odesa” 11 years ago.
The “myth of May 2” in Odesa is one of the main tools of russian propaganda aimed at distorting events and justifying the invasion of Ukraine. It is based on manipulations, distortions and outright lies.
russian propaganda presents the events in Odesa as a deliberate arson attack on the Trade Union Building, where “russian” residents were hiding from “armed neo-nazis” and “savage banderities.” In addition, the lie is being spread that “neo-nazis” allegedly killed people who managed to escape from the burning building.
In fact, it was russia that inspired the riots in Odesa, as it had done in Donbas before. The events of May 2 in Odesa began with an armed attack by pro-russian activists, including russian citizens and residents of Transnistria, on a march of football fans “For the Unity of Ukraine.” The first deaths were from pro-Ukrainian activists. The fire in the House of Trade Unions was not caused by deliberate arson, but because both sides of the confrontation used molotov cocktails. In addition, pro-Ukrainian activists tried to extinguish the fire, helped the “anti-maidan” protesters get out of the building and provided them with other assistance.
The sequence of events on May 2 in Odesa has been fully established, and there are numerous photos and videos confirming how everything happened. However, russian propaganda ignores the results of the official investigation and spreads a distorted version of events that is favorable to the kremlin.
