Ukraine declares two days of mourning after bloodshed

Ukraine’s interim president on Saturday declared two days of mourning after more than 50 people died in the country’s bloodiest day in months, newsuk24.com reports.

“The day of May 2 was a tragic day for Ukraine. I have signed a decree for two days of mourning in Ukraine for the heroes who died in the course of the anti-terrorist operation and also for those who died in the tragic events in Odessa,” Oleksandr Turchynov said in a statement.

At least nine people, including four servicemen, died in fighting yesterday as the Ukrainian army intensified what Kiev calls an “anti-terrorist” operation around the rebel-held town of Slavyansk.