Yanukovich’s attempt to quell protests meets fierce resistance | EurActiv

Yanukovich’s attempt to quell protests meets fierce resistance | EurActiv

Ukrainian riot police fought protesters occupying
a central Kyiv square early today (19 February) after the bloodiest day
since the former Soviet republic, caught in a geopolitical struggle
between Russia and the West, won its independence. At least 22 people
have lost their lives in less than 24 hours. 

After hours of clashes, police were
gaining ground in Independence Square, centre of three months of
protests against President Viktor Yanukovich, but demonstrators managed
to find protection behind a burning barricade of tires and wood.

Police have gained control of almost half the square and several
floors of a trade union building, used as an anti-government
headquarters, were on fire as dawn was breaking.

At least 22 killed

At least 14 protesters, seven policemen and one journalist were
killed in violence that erupted on Tuesday and continued into the early
hours of Wednesday. Many were killed by gunshot and hundreds of people
were injured, with dozens in serious condition, police and opposition
representatives said. The Ministry of Health confirmed the death of 22 people and 241 wounded.

The daily Vesti writes that their correspondent Vyacheslav Veremiy was shot dead in the chest by masked people. According to the news website Leviy bereg he was killed by so-called “titushki”, pro-government thugs.

Alarmed Western governments demanded restraint and dialogue. U.S.
Vice President Joe Biden called Yanukovich, urging him to pull back
government forces and exercise maximum restraint, the White House said.

Opposition leaders Vitaly Klitschko and Arseny Yatsenyuk said that
they had quit talks with President Viktor Yanukovich without reaching
any agreement on how to end the violence.

 

Violence meets violence, photo Komsomolskaya pravda