Russian FM asks for United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to conduct an investigation into the deaths of at least 48 people in Odessa.
The deaths of at least 48 pro-Russian militants, who were killed when the building in Odessa they were sheltering was set alight earlier this month, must be investigated by the UN and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said Russian foreign minister on Monday SIA reports quoting the Itar-Tass.
"We will want this investigation to be objective and impartial and that is why it needs to be international," stated Lavrov during a press conference. "I have sent according letter to the UN secretary general and the secretary general of the OSCE".
The fire broke out in a trade union building in Odessa on May 2, as pro-Russian militants and football fans rallying in support of Ukrainian unity fought in the center of the city. One pro-Russian group took shelter in the union building, but became trapped when another group attacked the building with Molotov cocktails, which started the fire. Most trapped inside the building were poisoned by smoke while some died jumping off the building in a bid to escape the inferno, according to police reports.
Meanwhile, Russian troops are to pull out of the Ukrainian border areas and return to their permanent bases, announced Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday.
President Vladimir Putin ordered minister Shoigu on Monday to bring back the troops to their permanent bases and continue combat training at neighboring firing ranges, according to the Kremlin press office.
"By Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's orders formations of Russian Armed Forces which staged war games in regions on Russia-Ukraine border are coming back to their permanent bases" said a statement by Russian Defense Ministry to Russian news agency Itar-Tass. Troops stationed in the Rostov-on-Don, Belgorod and Bryansk regions are to return to their permanent bases.
Similar statements have been made by Russia in the past, but NATO as well as White House spokesman Jay Carney have denied seeing any withdrawal of Russian troops.
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