Odesa Police Investigate Illegal Fireworks Launch During Martial Law

Odesa police have launched an investigation into the launch of fireworks in the Kyivskyi district of the city, which took place around 20:00 on February 8.

According to the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region, an investigative team of the territorial police unit was sent to the scene. Law enforcement officers are identifying the persons involved in the pyrotechnics launch.

We remind you that the sale and use of fireworks, fireworks, firecrackers and any other pyrotechnic means is prohibited during the period of martial law. The perpetrators may be subject to both administrative and criminal liability for such actions.

It should be noted that Odesa region is among the top three regions where fireworks were launched the most during the war. During the three years of the full-scale invasion, 5 sentences were passed in the region. Most violations were recorded in 2023 and 2024, with an increase in the number of verdicts each year. In 2022, there were only 5 cases, in 2023 - 17, and in 2024 - 22. In Ukraine, the number of sentences depended on the circumstances of the violation: in many cases, violators were punished with fines, with amounts ranging from 54 to 34 thousand hryvnias. However, in some cases, more serious penalties were imposed, such as community service or suspended sentences.

Launching salutes, fireworks and using firecrackers during martial law is prohibited throughout Ukraine.

In particular, in April 2023, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading the draft law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Use and Circulation of Pyrotechnic Products", which prohibits the use, sale and transfer of fireworks, salutes and firecrackers.

It also prohibits the sale and transfer in any way of fireworks, including salutes and firecrackers, except for F1 class fireworks, which have a very low level of danger and a low level of noise (but may not be sold to persons under 16 years of age).

However, citizens periodically violate the ban. In February 2024, the Kyiv District Court of Odesa found a resident of the city guilty of hooliganism and sentenced him to a one-year and one-month prison term. The incident took place on January 15. The video of the fireworks launch was posted on social media, where it was discovered by law enforcement officers during monitoring.

The police established the scene and seized a fireworks box with holes from 20 shots as material evidence. Later, law enforcement officers identified the man who launched the fireworks. The local resident explained that he had decided to congratulate his friend's wife on her birthday.

Кирило Бойко