Police detain group of individuals plotting mass riots in Odesa on May 2

The police in Odesa detained a group of individuals who were planning to stage mass disturbances in the city on May 2, seizing weapons and grenades during a raid.

According to Ukrinform, the press service of the National Police of Ukraine reported this on Facebook.

"In Odesa, police officers are conducting a large-scale raid. Weapons and banned symbols were found," the statement said.

According to the National Police's Strategic Investigations Department, Russia's special services, through Russian-controlled criminals, intended to "destabilize the situation in the region by inciting mass disturbances and organizing mass protests and riots that could undermine statehood and overthrow government in Ukraine."

According to the enemy's plans, they were to influence and act through their proxies who settled in the Odesa region. The final date for the implementation of criminal plans was to be another anniversary of the tragic events - May 2. In order to prevent the development of such events, operatives and investigators, together with the State Bureau of Investigation, are conducting large-scale work to identify persons who may be involved in illegal activities.

As a result, a significant number of various weapons, communist symbols, brochures with communist and other prohibited symbols, manuals with instructions on rules of conduct, measures of conspiracy and surveillance for the activity of subversive groups have already been seized. Law enforcers also seized grenades, ammunition, mobile phones, and electronic media.