Shooting at Peaceful Demonstrators in Mariupol – 05/09/2014

RIA Novosti quotes an eyewitness: “Servicemen of the National Guard fired grenade launchers at police officers in Mariupol to eliminate them for previously refusing to follow Kyiv’s orders and shoot at local residents.”

TASS reports on the outbreak of hostilities in the city and injuries among RT correspondents: “Hostilities have begun in the streets of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in Donetsk Region, with fire being directed at peaceful residents.”

Vesti.ru highlights the grim irony of the situation — that fighting is taking place on Victory Day: “On Victory Day, battles are raging in Mariupol. Security forces in tanks and APCs are crushing unarmed residents. Militia forces claim that civilians were fired upon with intent to kill. There are dead and wounded.”

RT Russian provides eyewitness commentary: “Smoke is billowing from the city center. Yesterday, there were already rumors that provocations were being prepared, but people didn’t believe it. Today, they wanted to hold a march through the city in honor of Victory Day, scheduled for 9:30. I am at home, but my friends near the police building report that armed men are shooting to kill at ordinary people.”

Izvestia features analysis by publicist Yegor Kholmogorov, which includes his take on the events of May 9 in Mariupol: “On May 9, the National Guard, Right Sector, and the military units of oligarch Kolomoisky attacked Mariupol, opening fire on police officers fulfilling their duty (thus, by the way, completely dispelling the myth of the ‘legitimacy’ of the junta’s violence). But they were shamefully repelled — Mariupol residents rushed at APCs with their bare hands, while the police, under grenade launcher fire, aimed precisely at the terrorists.”

Interfax reports the events according to the self-defense forces: “Many people who had come for the Victory Day rally headed to the city police department, where they spontaneously gathered in support of the barricaded police officers. The crowd shouted at the security forces: ‘Fascists!’ One of the APCs turned toward the demonstrators and opened fire with intent to kill.”

The British The Guardian focuses on the fact that " Vladimir Putin made a triumphant first visit to Crimea on Friday, as the region held its first Victory Day commemorations since it was annexed by Russia two months ago," "while at least five are killed in southern city."

Another British outlet, The Telegraph, emphasizes the forced measures taken by government forces: "Amateur video on the Internet showed soldiers firing warning shots and later wounding men who angrily confronted them. At least one man in civilian clothes could be seen shooting in the direction of the soldiers, who backed away on foot."

Independent British journalist Graham Phillips arrived in Mariupol to report on the events of May 9 in the city. He was detained by Ukrainian military forces and released a few days later. He later recounted these events to RT: "Phillips said that during interrogations, he was accused of espionage. 'All I do is practice objective journalism, which is based on my investigations. I have never made any claims that I was not sure of. That is exactly how I respond when questioned…'" he noted. According to Phillips, in conversations with Ukrainian security forces, he defended his perspective on what was happening.

The American The New York Times does not hide the fact that Ukrainian security forces were responsible for the deaths in order to achieve their objective: "Ukrainian security forces in armored vehicles attacked a police station here on Friday, reducing the building to smoldering rubble and killing at least seven people, according to residents who say they witnessed the assault. The attack signaled what appeared to be a major escalation in the interim government’s fight with pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine."

The French Le Figaro reports on the events in Mariupol in the same article as Putin’s visit to Crimea for the Victory Day celebrations. They call it "a visit that will only make things worse." According to the article, the events in Mariupol were a consequence of Russian support. The publication also places responsibility for the shooting on pro-Russian forces: "Violence erupted at the police headquarters and the Ministry of Internal Affairs building in the port city, reports the agency. Clashes began when the police attempted to regain control of the police station. They came under fire from separatist ranks."

The Italian La Repubblica also mentions Putin’s visit to Crimea for the Victory Day celebrations while shooting continued in Mariupol: "In Mariupol, an important port city in the country, fighting continues. As a result of clashes between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists, 21 people have died. Ukrainian armed forces attacked the city’s police headquarters with armored vehicles. The building was occupied by officials who refused to obey Kiev’s orders."

The Brazilian Gazeta do Povo provides a brief note on the shooting in Mariupol: "The shooting occurred during an attack by government forces on a building where a group of police officers refusing to obey Kiev authorities had entrenched themselves, sources claim. More than a thousand people rushed to the building to prevent the arrest of the defiant police officers, but forces loyal to Kiev met them with warning shots in the air."

The Estonian Õhtuleht reports on clashes between government forces and "pro-Russian separatists": "Heavy weaponry is in use in Mariupol, and the city is filled with smoke from burning tires. Snipers are everywhere. Heavy weaponry... Black smoke hangs over the city."

Ukrainian TSN reports on the storming of the local Ministry of Internal Affairs building by "militants" and cites a statement from Lyashko: "On Victory Day over fascism, armed terrorists are storming the Mariupol police department. We have several wounded, some seriously... Approximately 30 terrorists have seized two floors of the police department building, while our forces are holding the third floor. The terrorists are firing automatic weapons and using grenades. Outside, three APCs and troops have arrived to support our forces... Among the terrorists, eight have been killed, while all our men are alive, but many are wounded."

UNIAN does not provide details about the shooting but reports: "Ukrainian security forces repelled a terrorist attack on the Ministry of Internal Affairs building in Mariupol, which separatist forces attempted to seize. Fire was exchanged using Kalashnikov rifles in single shots. Fighters from the Azov special battalion were deployed to defend the Ministry of Internal Affairs building, along with personnel from the local SBU office."