Ukraine Interior Ministry fears upcoming holidays may be used to fan political confrontation

More than 42,000 Ukrainian police officers will maintain public order during May 1-2 and May 9 festivities, which are expected to draw over one million people, Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said.

"Probably, the upcoming holidays will actively be used to fan political confrontation and may entail unpredictable consequences, bearing in mind the number of people who will take part in these celebrations," he said.

Up to 1.2 million citizens may attend the May 1-2 festivities in the country, as well as World War II commemorations on May 9, Avakov said. The biggest turnout is expected at celebrations in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad, he added.

"We will also give special attention to Lviv, Ternopil and Rivne," the minister said.

The Interior Ministry will work hard to prevent any clashes in Odesa on May 2, when the first anniversary of the tragic events in the city's Trade Unions House will be marked, he said.

"Very serious security measures will be taken in the Odesa region," Avakov said.

Up to 42,000 policemen, National Guard soldiers and volunteers will work to maintain security during the upcoming holidays across the country, Avakov said.

"The Interior Ministry does not plan to ask servicemen of Ukraine's Armed Forces to help maintain public order during the May festivities," he said.

Ukraine's police will make every effort to prevent provocative acts and clashes during the upcoming holidays, the minister said.