THIRTEEN dead in terrifying clashes between Ukrainian police and protesters
The conflict is the deadliest in nearly three months of anti-government protests that have paralysed Kyiv in a struggle over the nation’s identity.
Ukrainian protesters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and stones at riot police on Independence Square.
Six policemen were killed as well as seven civilians, including three who were shot.
Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko urged the 20,000 protesters to defend their camp.
“We will not go anywhere from here,” Klitschko told the crowd. “This is an island of freedom and we will defend it.”
As police dismantled some of the barricades on the perimeter of the square and tried to push away the protesters, they fought back with rocks, bats and fire bombs.
Many of the demonstrators were bleeding.
Speaking over loudspeakers, police urged women and children to leave the square because an “anti-terrorist” operation was underway.