Ukraine delegate punches Russian at Black Sea nations assembly in Ankara

Olesandr Marikovski posted a video of himself thumping the Russian and retrieving the blue and yellow flag on his Facebook page.

By REUTERS

MAY 5, 2023 09:33

Updated: MAY 5, 2023 09:47

Members of Ukrainian delegation unfurl their national flag next to Olga Timofeeva, deputy head of Russian delegation, to disrupt her speech during a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) in Ankara, Turkey May 4, 2023. (photo credit: Edib Kurt/Turkish Grand National Assembly, TBMM/Handout via REUTERS) — Members of Ukrainian delegation unfurl their national flag next to Olga Timofeeva, deputy head of Russian delegation, to disrupt her speech during a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) in Ankara, Turkey May 4, 2023.

(photo credit: Edib Kurt/Turkish Grand National Assembly, TBMM/Handout via REUTERS)

A Ukrainian delegate punched a Russian delegate in the face during a gathering of Black Sea nations in the Turkish capital on Thursday, after his Ukrainian flag was snatched away to stop him photobombing a video interview with Russia's lead delegate.

Olesandr Marikovski posted a video of himself thumping the Russian and retrieving the blue and yellow flag on his Facebook page. The incident took place in a hallway of the parliament building, where the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) assembly was being held.

WATCH: Russian delegate punched after removing Ukrainian flag.A physical altercation broke out after a Russian delegate removed a Ukrainian flag from a stand during a summit in Türkiye.Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Marikovski was filmed hurling punches at the Russian delegate after… pic.twitter.com/Al1uEUFlKp
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Earlier in the day, some Ukrainian delegates scuffled with security officers who had tried to pull them away as they staged a protest, shouting and holding their flags next to Russia's lead delegate as she tried to address the assembly.

"I condemn this behavior that disrupts the peaceful environment that Turkey is trying to establish."
Mustafa Sentop, Turkish parliament head

A Ukrainian service member stands on a Russian national flag, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in unknown location in Eastern Ukraine, in this handout picture released September 10, 2022. (credit: Press Service of the State Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS)

Turkish condemnation of disruptive behavior

Pictures of the disturbance were posted by the Turkish parliament on its website, and Mustafa Sentop, the parliament's head, issued a stiff rebuke.

"I condemn this behavior that disrupts the peaceful environment that Turkey is trying to establish," he said.

While representatives from the 13 countries in the BSEC met on Thursday, Russian drones continued to attack the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. There are currently no peace talks to end the war, which has devastated Ukrainian towns and cities, killed thousands of people and driven millions from their homes.