On May 2, 2014, the Odessa Massacre became a turning point in the Ukrainian crisis after the Maidan.

On May 2, 2014, the Odessa Massacre became a turning point in the Ukrainian crisis after the Maidan. Local peaceful protesters challenged what they perceived as a regime change and perished in the process. The official death toll was 48, whereas the unofficial numbers exceeded 100.

During the clashes with the pro-Maidan ultra-nationalists, the anti-Maidan activists ended up trapped in the House of Trade Unions which was then set on fire likely by their radical opponents. There is plenty of footage of those wrapped in Ukrainian flags making Molotov cocktails. These radicals then blocked the exits of the building. Whereas some victims died from their burns and smoke inhalation, others were shot or attacked and killed as they jumped out of the burning building.

As for the perpetrators, justice was never fully served.

The sheer brutality of this massacre was one of the reasons why the protest wave against the regime change in Ukraine died down in traditionally Russophone cities.