You're reading: Azarov: Damage caused by police operation in Odesa and oblast to be compensated

Ukrainian Premier Mykola Azarov has ordered compensation to be paid for the damage caused to citizens during a police operation to detain dangerous criminals in Odesa region and in Odesa City on September 29-October 1, 2011.

"The head of the government instructed the Interior Ministry and the Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Utilities Ministry to draft and submit for consideration an instruction on the allocation of funds for compensation for the damage," the press service of the Ukrainian government said.

Azarov said the Interior Ministry has to register thoroughly and responsibly the property damage caused to residents during the police operation. All losses have to be compensated for to the public, the premier said.

Azarov also instructed the Finance Ministry to provide funds for covering the damage from the reserve fund.

Reports said earlier that two Ukrainian policemen were killed and four others were wounded in an exchange of fire with gunmen in Odesa region early on September 30.

Two of the three members of a criminal group, including its leader Aslan Dykayev, were killed in a police operation in Odesa on Saturday, October 1. The criminals had been hiding in a private hotel in Odesa. A third criminal escaped and was put on the wanted list.