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Riot police in Kiev push through protesters’ barricades, then pull back Three protesters dead as standoff with riot police in Ukraine continues
(about 1 hour later)
KIEV, Ukraine — Riot police broke through barriers and in a matter of minutes Wednesday morning briefly swept away the protesters who had been confronting them with stones and Molotov cocktails on Hrushevsky Street since Sunday. KIEV, Ukraine — Riot police broke through barriers Wednesday morning and briefly swept away the protesters who had been confronting them with stones and Molotov cocktails on Hrushevsky Street since Sunday.
The move came just moments after the opposition had announced that one demonstrator had died of a gunshot wound, apparently inflicted by a sniper, during the night. Another demonstrator died after he fell off an entry arch at Dynamo Stadium. A medic said that a third person had died, the Associated Press reported. The move came just moments after the opposition had announced that one demonstrator had died of a gunshot wound, apparently inflicted by a sniper, during the night. Another demonstrator died after he fell off an entry arch at Dynamo Stadium. A medic reported a third death, the Associated Press reported.
The U.S. Embassy in Kiev announced that it has revoked the visas of Ukrainians it deems to be responsible for the violence here. It said it would not identify who those people are, but official American statements on the crisis here suggest that those affected are probably Ukrainian government or police officials.The U.S. Embassy in Kiev announced that it has revoked the visas of Ukrainians it deems to be responsible for the violence here. It said it would not identify who those people are, but official American statements on the crisis here suggest that those affected are probably Ukrainian government or police officials.
The police troops did not immediately turn the corner at the bottom of the street and head toward Independence Square, where a peaceful encampment has existed since Nov. 21. Instead, they pulled back to their lines, and the Hrushevsky Street quickly filled again with angry protesters. The leaders of the three main opposition parties issued a joint statement lamenting the shooting deaths of two protesters, one of whom medics said was shot four times, and blaming the government of President Viktor Yanukovych.
“Four gunshot wounds to the head and neck in one of the dead is not self-defense,” the statement said. “The direct responsibility for this act of terror against the citizens of dictatorship lies heavily on the interior minister — the bloody killer Vitaliy Zakharchenko.
It continued: “All that will happen now in the country, the life and safety of every citizen, and the protesters’ deaths, are the personal responsibility of President Viktor Yanukovych, who has been ignoring the demands of peace for two months.”
The opposition leaders — Vitali Klitschko, Arseny Yatsenyuk, and Oleh Tyahnibok — demanded the withdrawal of the riot police, the resignation of Zakharchenko, and the withdrawal of young men alleged to be in the pay of the police to create mayhem by smashing cars and beating up passersby.
The issue of the thugs for hire, known here as “titushki,” has become a potent addition to the grievances of the protesters.
Opposition groups have been scouting the streets of Kiev the last two nights in search of titushki, and at least a dozen young men have been rounded up and taken forcibly to the protest headquarters. Almost all of them are teenagers.
The interior ministry declared that 40 people were “kidnapped” in Kiev Tuesday night, clearly referring to what the opposition believes is an act of self-defense.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Wednesday the government will not bow to anarchy or accept a division of the country.
He said the opposition will have to declare whether it supports the Hrushevsky Street protesters’ resort to violence. “If no, it should call on the demonstrators to stop confrontation, and if yes, claim responsibility for these actions,” he said, in remarks at a government meeting reported by the Interfax news agency.
In Wednesday morning’s skirmish, the police troops did not immediately turn the corner at the bottom of the street and head toward Independence Square, where a peaceful encampment has existed since Nov. 21. Instead, they pulled back to their lines, and the Hrushevsky Street quickly filled again with angry protesters.
The police appeared to catch only a few stragglers on Hrushevsky Street. They carried one, occasionally beating him, back past the barricade of burnt out buses and through a backup line of police, who were beating their shields in appreciation. A live video feed showed other police troops starting to clear away debris. Several had whipped out their phones and were taking photos of the scene.The police appeared to catch only a few stragglers on Hrushevsky Street. They carried one, occasionally beating him, back past the barricade of burnt out buses and through a backup line of police, who were beating their shields in appreciation. A live video feed showed other police troops starting to clear away debris. Several had whipped out their phones and were taking photos of the scene.
A few protesters who had been caught were escorted by police on foot. One had a bloody head wound.A few protesters who had been caught were escorted by police on foot. One had a bloody head wound.
The attack, at just after 8 a.m., took place on a Ukrainian holiday — Unification Day. It is sure to drive an even deeper divide between the government of President Viktor Yanukovych and the broad opposition movement that seeks his ouster. The attack, at just after 8 a.m., took place on a Ukrainian holiday — Unification Day.
The confrontation on Hrushevsky Street had complicated the task for the leaders of the opposition who have tried to maintain a peaceful protest and have denounced violence as self-defeating. But the sight of fierce young men, in helmets and homemade body armor, had thrilled thousands of spectators who didn’t take direct part in the clashes.The confrontation on Hrushevsky Street had complicated the task for the leaders of the opposition who have tried to maintain a peaceful protest and have denounced violence as self-defeating. But the sight of fierce young men, in helmets and homemade body armor, had thrilled thousands of spectators who didn’t take direct part in the clashes.
Several hundred have been reported wounded on both sides. Last night brought the first two deaths.Several hundred have been reported wounded on both sides. Last night brought the first two deaths.
By 8:30 Wednesday hard-hat-wearing protesters were back at the line of buses, throwing paving stones at the police. By 8:30 a.m.Wednesday hard-hat-wearing protesters were back at the line of buses, throwing paving stones at the police.