Ukraine delegate punches Russian at Black Sea nations assembly in Ankara

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. [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 Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) was being held.

Greece is one of the 13 members of PABSEC.

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.

Pictures of the disturbance...

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