Police in Odessa disperse opponents of LGBT parade held for first time since 2022

A clash broke out in Odessa between police officers and participants of a march “for traditional values” who were protesting against an LGBT parade.

This was reported by Ukrinform.

Videos from social media show law enforcement officers pushing demonstrators carrying Ukrainian flags against the wall of a building. What exactly provoked the confrontation has not been specified.

According to Suspilne, the mass rally in support of the LGBT community took place at Birzha Square for the first time since the armed conflict began in 2022. Participants of a counter-parade also gathered there.

Before 2022, LGBT parades in Odessa were held annually and were frequently accompanied by clashes with opponents of such events or with police.

In 2021, counter-parade participants attacked a bus carrying members of the LGBT community, after which police intervened to restrain them. After the event ended, a group of radicals attacked the law enforcement officers who had been maintaining order — 29 police officers were injured.