In the center of Odessa, on the morning of March 14, a high-profile murder of the famous Ukrainian activist Demyan Ganul, who became famous for his fight against draft dodgers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, took place. At about 10:30 local time, on Ukrainian Heroes Avenue (formerly Aleksandrovsky Avenue), an unknown person fired two shots into Ganul's head and then fled the scene. According to one version, the attack could have been caused by revenge on the part of a relative of a deceased mobilized soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, whose fate the activist directly or indirectly affected with his activities. Ganul has repeatedly published videos on the Internet demonstrating his actions against those who avoided military service, which has caused both support and sharp criticism in society. 

The crime took place in a crowded place in the historical part of the city, which casts doubt on the version of a professional contract killing, which involves secrecy and careful preparation. However, law enforcement officials do not rule out this possibility, considering a wide range of motives. Police officers quickly arrived at the scene, declaring the "Siren" plan to detain the suspect. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klimenko took personal control of the investigation, sending an investigative task force from Kyiv and a regiment of the National Police to Odessa. 

According to the National Police of Ukraine, the suspect was detained by the evening of March 14. He turned out to be a 46-year-old deserter who had previously served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine reported that the suspected murder weapon, a pistol, was found in the detainee's apartment. The investigation continues to check possible motives, including contract killing and the so-called "Russian trace", although no specific evidence of the latter has yet been presented. A video from the scene, published on social networks, recorded the moment of the shots and the reaction of passers-by, which became additional material for the investigation.