Violence and unrest spread to the south despite continuing in Eastern Ukraine. As pro-Russian forces continue to battle Ukrainian security forces for control of various cities, new protests have arisen in the resort city of Odessa, in the southern part of the nation.

During a rally on Friday to show solidarity with the Ukrainian government and advocating for the unification of Ukraine, pro-Russian protestors attacked government supporters. With an estimated thousand people marching, the protests quickly turned violent, according to the Kyiv Post. Pro-government forces fought back and routed the pro-Russian group to a nearby building.

Having taken over the old Soviet House of Union building in Odessa, Russian sympathizers battled the pro-Ukraine group. According to The Guardian, the building was set on fire while pro-Ukraine activists were preparing for another assault on the building. Some pro-Russian protestors, trapped inside, died of smoke inhalation. Others, wanting to flee the incoming fire, jumped from windows and died from their subsequent injuries. However, others retaliated.

Petrol bombs, rocks and bullets rained down on the Ukrainian group below, the latter confirmed by medics at the scene who tended to bullet wounds among some present. Overall, an estimated 30-40 people were killed, mostly within the union building but some also during street fighting. The Guardian reported riot police arrived shortly there after as hand-to-hand fighting broke out but did not enter the building. Within two hours, most resistance from pro-Russian fighters had diminished, and firefighting crews tried to control the fire.

"The aim is to completely clear Odessa [of pro-Russians]," said Dmitry Rogovsky, an activist from Right Sector, the far-right nationalist group, whose hand had been injured during the fighting. "They are all paid Russian separatists."

According to Reuters, the Ukrainian government is blaming Moscow for this latest bloom of dissent. Ukraine's security service reported that on Saturday that illegal paramilitary groups from Moldova and Russian groups fomented the unrest in Odessa.

"The unrest, which occurred on May 2 in Odessa and led to clashes and many casualties, was due to foreign interference," a spokeswoman for the SBU security service told a news conference. Ukraine has long blamed Russia for the unrest happening within the country following the takeover and annexation of Crimea by Moscow. However, Russia's government denies any involvement, clamoring on Ukraine to provide evidence of their alleged involvement.