Thirteen people die in Kyiv amid violent clashes between government and …
Violence rocks the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as several thousand anti-government protesters clash with riot police in the worst street violence since late January. Mana Rabiee reports.
UKRAINIAN police have stormed a large protest camp in the centre of Kyiv after 13 people were killed in a day of violent street clashes.
Defiant protesters shouted “Glory to Ukraine’’ as burning tents lit up the night sky after thousands of riot police moved against the sprawling protest camp in the center of Kyiv.
The police attacked the camp after at least 13 people – including six officers – died and hundreds were injured in street clashes.
The riot police are advancing toward protesters using a water cannon and stun grenades after shutting down nearby subway stations. Thousands of protesters had filled Independence Square earlier in the day, sensing that Ukraine’s political crisis was reaching a critical turning point.
The violence was the deadliest in nearly three months of anti-government protests that have paralysed Ukraine’s capital in a struggle over the nation’s identity.
Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko is at the Kyiv residence of embattled President Viktor Yanukovych for a meeting as the clashes rage.
“Klitschko has arrived at Bankova (location of Yanukovych’s residence). He has gone to see Yanukovych,’’ his spokewoman Oksana Zinovieva wrote on Twitter.
Earlier in the day Klitschko called on women and children to quit the encampment on Independence Square over fears of a possible police assault.
But about 25,000 people stood their ground as police with megaphones declared the launch of an “anti-terrorist operation’’, raining down tear gas and stun grenades on the protesters, while a second line of police armed with Kalashnikov rifles advanced slowly into the camp.
“We will not leave here. This is an island of liberty,’’ Klitschko told the crowd.
Bloody clash … A anti-government protester is engulfed in flames while running from the scene, during clashed with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Source: AP
The clashes outside parliament erupted after the opposition accused the government of ignoring its demands even after nearly three months of protests that have paralysed the capital. It was the worst violence since the protests began in late November.
As darkness fell, opposition leaders warned that security forces may be preparing to clear a sprawling protest tent camp on Kyiv’s Independence Square. Law enforcement agencies vowed to bring order to the streets and shut down subway stations in the capital.
Human toll … Police experts examine bodies of the dead anti-government protesters after their clashes with the police. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO
Source: AFP
Yet an evening deadline set by the authorities to end street clashes passed and there was no immediate action to clear the camp.
Thousands of protesters streamed to the square to defend the camp, where Orthodox priests prayed for peace.
“We see that this regime again has begun shooting people; they want to sink Ukraine in blood. We will not give in to a single provocation,’’ opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the protesters. “We will not take one step back from this square. We have nowhere to retreat to. Ukraine is behind us, Ukraine’s future is behind us.’’
‘We have nowhere to retreat to. Ukraine is behind us, Ukraine’s future is behind us.’ … Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Independence Square. Picture: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
Source: AP
Demonstrators were calling on the Rada parliament — where Yanukovych’s party has a majority — to vote on returning the country to its 2004 constitution, under which key powers would shift from the president to parliament.
“People were tired of waiting for the constitution to be changed — they needed action,’’ said demonstrator Volodymir, from Kyiv, refusing to give his second name.
War zone … Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in central Kyiv. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY
Source: AFP
Fighting flared on Monday morning after some 20,000 mainly peaceful protesters marched from their sprawling tent encampment towards parliament to demand legislators strip the president of a raft of powers.
Olha Bilyk, spokeswoman for the Kyiv city police, said that two policemen were killed, likely by gunshot wounds, in the latest lashes and seven civilians died, including three who were shot.
Fighting back … Anti-government protesters clash with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture: AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov
Source: AP
Shouting “Shame!’’ thousands of angry protesters hurled stones at police and set trucks blocking their way on fire. Riot police retaliated with stun grenades and fired what appeared to be small metal balls, as smoke from burning tires and vehicles billowed over Kyiv.
The US Embassy in Kyiv was warning Americans in the city to stay inside.
Molotov copcktail … An opposition demonstrator grabs his weapon of choice during the clashes. Picture: AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA
Source: AFP
“The Ukrainian Security Services have announced that following today’s violence they may take extraordinary measures beginning this evening. The Embassy advises all Citizens to maintain a low profile and to remain indoors tonight,” it said. “The … Metro (subway) has been shut down and access into Kyiv by road has, according to credible reports, been restricted.”
Devastation … Opposition demonstrators stand in front of burning barricades during clashes with police in Kyiv. Picture: AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA
Source: AFP
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appealed for restraint and a “genuine dialogue’’ in Ukraine.
Mr Ban “reiterates his appeal to all concerned to act with restraint in order to avoid any further violence,’’ his spokesman Martin Nesirky said. “He urges the renewal of genuine dialogue between all parties.’’
The clashes dimmed hopes for an imminent solution to the political crisis – and tensions also soared following new steps by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic.
Under attack … Riot police protect themselves from rocks and molotov cocktails. Picture: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
Source: AP
The protests began in November after President Viktor Yanukovych froze ties with the EU in exchange for a $US15 billion ($17 billion) bailout from Russia, but the political maneuvering continued and Moscow later suspended its payments. On Monday, however, while opposition leaders were meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia offered a fresh infusion of the billions of dollars that Ukraine needs to keep its ailing economy afloat.
Turning tables … Anti-government protesters detain a police officer in the centre of Kyiv.
Source: AFP
US Ambassador Geoffrey R. Payatt called for dialogue, but also threatened both sides with sanctions.
“We believe Ukraine’s crisis can still be solved via dialogue, but those on both sides who fuel violence will open themselves to sanctions,’’ Mr Payatt said on Twitter.
Desperate weapons … An anti-government protester throw a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
Source: AP
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said that she was “deeply worried’’ by the escalation of violence in Kyiv and the reported death and casualty toll.
“I urge the leadership of Ukraine to address the root causes of the crisis,’’ Ms Ashton said in a statement.
Injured … A wounded anti-government protester is pictured during clashes with police in Kyiv. Picture: AFP PHOTO / GENYA SAVILOV
Source: AFP
But the Russian foreign ministry lashed out at Western countries, accusing them of turning a blind eye to the more radical elements inside the protest movement.
“What is happening is a direct consequence of the policy of connivance among those Western politicians and European agencies that have been shutting their eyes to the aggressive actions of Ukraine’s radical forces since the beginning of the crisis,’’ the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Jackboot activism … anti-government protesters attack police in front of Kyiv’s city hal.. Picture: AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA
Source: AFP