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Ukraine Launches Terror Probe into New Odessa Blast

Ukrainian police on Monday launched a terror probe into a blast in the government-controlled port of Odessa after an explosion outside a building housing a soldiers' support center.

Local authorities said the late Sunday explosion in the city of one million caused no injuries but shattered windows in the office of volunteers helping soldiers fighting pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine.

The blast was the latest in a series to hit such offices in the volatile Black Sea port.

The scenic city has been tense since a May 2 clash between Kiev and Moscow supporters caused a fire that killed nearly 50 pro-Russian activists.

The rebel uprising has killed more than 4,700 people since April and has seen both Kiev and its Western allies accuse the Kremlin of stoking the revolt, charges that Moscow denies.

A new partial truce agreed on December 9 -- along with the snowy winter weather -- has helped stem the deadliest fighting in the separatist regions in recent weeks.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is expected to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin on January 15 in Kazakhstan for a new round of peace talks that is due to also include the leaders of Germany and France.

Source: Agence France Presse


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