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Ukrainian authorities claim that an anti-Russian activist was killed in Odesa.

Ukrainian authorities claim that an anti-Russian activist was killed in Odesa.

The authorities have not ruled out Russian involvement. A prominent anti-Russian protester was killed in Odesa, a Ukrainian port city on Friday.

Demian Hansul, 31, was identified as the victim. Local media reported that he had taken part in the Maidan Revolution of 2014 against Ukraine's pro-Russian President. Media reported that he was also a former member of the extreme-right Right Sector.

Telegram: "The incident qualifies as a premeditated killing committed on order."

Security Service reported that a 46-year old military deserter was detained and treated as a suspect.

On Telegram local, the Telegram said that possible motives for this crime were being investigated. This included a link to Russia.

A video uploaded on Telegram local claimed to have captured the moment of shooting. The video showed a burly, bald man with a gun pointing at the head of an unidentified man who was lying on the pavement. He fired, then walked away.

The authenticity of the clip could not be verified.

Russian state media had previously branded Hanul a neo Nazi responsible for a May 2014 arson attack at the Trade Union House, Odessa. This was a reference then to violent fighting between pro Russian activists and supporters of Ukrainian unification.

In April 2024, a Moscow court in absentia charged Hanul with several crimes. These included damaging Soviet-era monuments of war for which he could have faced up 20 years in prison.

In July, several media outlets reported that Hanul requested Ukrainian police protection following threats. (Reporting and editing by Gareth Jones, Angus MacSwan and Yuliia dysa)

(source: Reuters)