Iran voices concern over deadly clashes in Ukraine

Iran has expressed concern over the escalation of conflicts in Ukraine, calling for the restoration of peace and calm in the crisis-hit country.

“The continuation of conflicts and the spread of violence to different regions of the country will exacerbate and complicate the situation. This not only makes it difficult to achieve a sustainable and fundamental solution, but also runs contrary to the interests of the (Ukrainian) people,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Saturday.

At least 42 people were killed in street battles between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine that ended with pro-Russian protesters trapped in a flaming building, according to Reuters.

The riot in the Black Sea port of Odessa that ended in a deadly blaze in a trade union building was by far the worst incident in Ukraine since a February uprising that ended with a pro-Russian president fleeing the country.

The violence continued on Saturday as Ukraine said its forces had attacked pro-Russian separatists in the industrial east of the country near the town of Kramatorsk.

Police detained over 130 people following Friday’s bloody clashes and opened up 10 criminal investigations with charges including premeditated murder and violence against law enforcement officers, according to Russian RT website.