“Odessa will only develop once Kiev is freed from these corrupt politicians, who are sheltered by banditry and lawlessness,” he said.

Without a known foreign source of funds, the Abu Sayyaf has survived mostly on ransom kidnappings, extortion and other acts of banditry.

Prices have risen sharply, emptying the pockets of those who can least afford it, forcing some into banditry to tend to their needs.