Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a video has surfaced on social media during which a Ukrainian MP, Oleksandr Marikovskyi, could be purportedly seen punching an unidentified Russian consultant who snagged the Ukrainian flag from his arms throughout a convention in Turkey’s capital Ankara.

The incident reportedly happened on Thursday through the 61st Basic Meeting of the Parliamentary Meeting of the Black Sea Financial Cooperation (PABSEC) the place nations of the Black Sea area gathered to debate methods to develop multilateral and bilateral ties on the financial, technological, and social fronts, Turkey’s state-run information company Anadolu Company reported.

The clip, posted by Jason Jay Sensible, a particular correspondent for the Kyiv Put up on Twitter, and a political adviser, posted the video on Twitter, has gained greater than 3 million views as of Friday morning.

Marikovskyi additionally posted the clip on his Fb account. Newsweek additionally reported on the incident, citing Marikovskyi’s publish.

“He actually deserved that punch. Delegate from #Russia sparks scuffle at Black Sea Financial Group occasion in #Ankara, #Turkey, after forcibly taking the flag of #Ukraine from MP Marikovskyi’s arms,” tweeted advocate Ibrahim Zeidan.

In the course of the summit, the video of the unnamed Russian consultant could be seen approaching Marikovskyi, who was holding his nation’s flag. The Russian delegate forcibly took the flag from Marikovskyi’s arms, however Marikovskyi retaliated by pushing and punching the consultant within the face to reclaim the flag.

The incident highlights the heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have been exacerbated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing battle in Japanese Ukraine. The battle, which started in February of final 12 months, has now unfold to main cities reminiscent of Kyiv, Kherson, Odesa, and Bakhmut.

Russia blames US for masterminding Kremlin drone assault

Moscow on Thursday accused the US of masterminding a drone assault on the Kremlin, a cost denied by Washington, and mentioned Ukrainian sabotage on Russian territory had reached “unprecedented momentum”.

Moscow mentioned Putin was working from the Kremlin the day after the assault, which it mentioned was a Ukrainian try and kill him. “Selections on such assaults will not be made in Kyiv, however in Washington,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned.

Ukraine has denied accountability, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying “We don’t assault Moscow or Putin.”

The USA has additionally denied any involvement.

(With inputs from businesses)