SBI detains ex-deputy over Odesa 2014 massacre
SBI detains former Odesa deputy Valentin Chernov, accusing him of organizing the May 2, 2014 provocations and committing treason. (Photo: Prosecutor's General Office)
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has detained a former deputy of the Odesa city council, suspected of involvement in the provocations that led to mass fatalities in Odesa on May 2, 2014, officers reported on Oct. 31.
NV sister outlet Ukrainska Pravda wrote that the suspect is Valentin Chernov.
SBI said the suspect carried out anti-Ukrainian activity on behalf of the aggressor state, Russia.
In late February 2014, the defendant allegedly received clear instructions from a Russian handler to destabilize the situation in Odesa. He acted as part of a “coordination council” alongside known Russian provocateurs.
In March–April 2014 the former deputy reportedly received information about plans to seize Odesa regional council building and instructions from Russia on how to support the action.
The politician repeatedly publicly called for a “referendum” on autonomy for Odesa Oblast, claimed there was “discrimination against the Russian language,” and supported the annexation of Crimea, the Office of the Prosecutor General said.
Law-enforcement agencies indicated that Chernov constantly met with officers of Russia’s foreign intelligence service and received corresponding orders from them. As head of the “coordination council,” he organized the so-called Antimaidan on Kulikove Pole in Odesa. Participants of that event initiated an appeal to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to send troops to Ukraine allegedly to “protect the rights of Russian-speaking citizens.”
Those provocations led to the tragic events in Odesa on May 2 - violent clashes between Euromaidan supporters and pro-Russian activists culminated in a fire at Odesa’s Trade Unions House, killing 48 people and injuring roughly 250.
The former city council deputy was detained on Oct. 29, 2025. He has been notified of suspicions under Part 2, Art. 28 and Part 2, Art. 110 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (encroachment on territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine) and Part 1, Art. 111 (state treason). Chernov faces up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property. He is now held in custody, SBI added.
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