Mysterious Rocket Attack Hits Town of Ukrainian Extremist Standoff

A rocket hit a shopping center in a western Ukrainian town that was recently the site of a deadly standoff between Ukrainian security forces and right-wing militants.

A rocket-propelled grenade hit a shopping center in the Western Ukrainian town of Mukachevo, which was the site of a deadly standoff between Ukrainian security forces and members of the extremist Right Sector group, Ukrainian media reported.

It is unclear if the attack was linked to the group or to unrelated criminal activity. The armed standoff between Right Sector members and Ukrainian security forces in July was alleged to have taken place as part of a local political conflict over control of cigarette smuggling.

No deaths or injuries have been reported over the rocket attack, which burned out one room in the shopping mall and shattered a number of windows.

Ukrainian police began investigating the case, stating their intention to prosecute it under hooliganism charges.

In what may be a separate development, the compound belonging to a Roma baron near the town was burned down on October 9 after riots instigated by the murder of a Roma teen. The main suspect turned out to be a candidate in local elections from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's party, according to local media.