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Three protesters dead as standoff with riot police in Ukraine continues Two protesters dead as standoff with riot police in Ukraine continues
(about 3 hours later)
KIEV, Ukraine — Anti-government street protests here turned deadly overnight, as opposition organizers announced that three demonstrators had been killed, one from a fall and two shot by police. KIEV, Ukraine — Anti-government street protests here turned deadly overnight, as opposition organizers announced that two demonstrators had been fatally shot by police.
Wednesday morning saw formations of riot police, holding their shields overhead in a way that made their lines resemble huge, scaly, metal snakes, twice break through barriers and sweep away the protesters who had been confronting them with stones and molotov cocktails on Hrushevsky Street. Formations of riot police, holding their shields overhead in a way that made their lines resemble huge, scaly, metal snakes, twice broke through barriers Wednesday morning and swept away the protesters who had been confronting them with stones and molotov cocktails on Hrushevsky Street.
Each time, police retreated to their original position, and stone-throwing protesters reoccupied the street.Each time, police retreated to their original position, and stone-throwing protesters reoccupied the street.
The confrontation took place on a Ukrainian holiday, Unification Day. It could complicate the task for the leaders of the opposition, who have tried to maintain a peaceful protest against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych and have denounced violence as self-defeating. But the sight of the fierce young men, in helmets and homemade body armor, thrilled thousands of spectators who didn’t take direct part in the clashes.The confrontation took place on a Ukrainian holiday, Unification Day. It could complicate the task for the leaders of the opposition, who have tried to maintain a peaceful protest against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych and have denounced violence as self-defeating. But the sight of the fierce young men, in helmets and homemade body armor, thrilled thousands of spectators who didn’t take direct part in the clashes.
Ukraine has seen continuous protests in the capital since Nov. 21, when Yanukovych suddenly backed off a trade deal with Europe and turned to Russia for support. The demonstrations have centered on an encampment on Kiev’s Independence Square, known as the Maidan, and its leaders have continually stressed the need to avoid clashes. Protests have gripped the Ukrainian capital continuously since Nov. 21, when Yanukovych suddenly backed off a trade deal with Europe and turned to Russia for support. The demonstrations have centered on an encampment on Kiev’s Independence Square, known as the Maidan, and its leaders have repeatedly stressed the need to avoid clashes.
[Why are they protesting?][Why are they protesting?]
But Sunday evening, the break-away group of frustrated nationalists marched off the Maidan to Hrushevsky Street, where they were confronted by police. They threw stones, fireworks and molotov cocktails. Police responded with stun grenades and rubber bullets. But Sunday evening, the breakaway group of frustrated nationalists marched off the Maidan to Hrushevsky Street, where they were confronted by police. They threw stones, fireworks and molotov cocktails. Police responded with stun grenades and rubber bullets.
The violence, and especially Wednesday’s escalation, seemed only to harden the resolve of both sides. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Ukraine’s government will not bow to anarchy or accept a division of the country.The violence, and especially Wednesday’s escalation, seemed only to harden the resolve of both sides. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Ukraine’s government will not bow to anarchy or accept a division of the country.
He said the opposition has to decide whether it will renounce the violence of the nationalists on Hrushevsky Street, or embrace it and take the consequences.He said the opposition has to decide whether it will renounce the violence of the nationalists on Hrushevsky Street, or embrace it and take the consequences.
“If no, [opposition leaders] should call on the demonstrators to stop confrontation,” Azarov said at a government meeting, according to the Interfax news agency. “And if yes, claim responsibility for these actions.”“If no, [opposition leaders] should call on the demonstrators to stop confrontation,” Azarov said at a government meeting, according to the Interfax news agency. “And if yes, claim responsibility for these actions.”
The leaders of the three main opposition parties — Vitaly Klitschko, Arseny Yatsenyuk, and Oleh Tyahnibok — issued a statement lamenting the shooting deaths of the two demonstrators, one of whom medics said was shot four times, and blaming Yanukovych’s government. A third demonstrator died after he fell off an entry arch at Dynamo Stadium. [See photos of Ukraine protests, clashes.]
The leaders of the three main opposition parties — Vitali Klitschko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and Oleh Tyahnibok — issued a statement lamenting the shooting deaths of the two demonstrators, one of whom medics said was shot four times, and blaming Yanukovych’s government. Initial reports indicated that a third demonstrator died after he fell off an entry arch at Dynamo Stadium; but later reports said that death did not occur.
“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.“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.
“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.”“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 leaders later said they had arranged a meeting with Yanukovych for Wednesday afternoon.The leaders later said they had arranged a meeting with Yanukovych for Wednesday afternoon.
[Major players in the protests.]
In Independence Square, meanwhile, Yuri Lutsenko, an opposition leader who once served as interior minister, said the opposition should forget about negotiating with Yanukovych. Instead, he said, the opposition parties should establish themselves as the provisional government of Ukraine, under Klitschko’s leadership.In Independence Square, meanwhile, Yuri Lutsenko, an opposition leader who once served as interior minister, said the opposition should forget about negotiating with Yanukovych. Instead, he said, the opposition parties should establish themselves as the provisional government of Ukraine, under Klitschko’s leadership.
Klitschko, Yatsenyuk and Tyahnibok demanded the withdrawal of the riot police, the resignation of Zakharchenko, and the removal of young men who, they allege, are being paid by police to create mayhem in the streets by smashing cars and beating up passersby. Klitschko, Yatsenyuk and Tyahnibok demanded the withdrawal of the riot police, the resignation of Zakharchenko and the removal of young men who, they allege, are being paid by police to create mayhem in the streets 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 scouted the streets of Kiev for the past two nights searching for them, and at least a dozen young men have been rounded up and taken to protest headquarters. Almost all are teenagers.The issue of the thugs for hire, known here as “titushki,” has become a potent addition to the grievances of the protesters. Opposition groups scouted the streets of Kiev for the past two nights searching for them, and at least a dozen young men have been rounded up and taken to protest headquarters. Almost all are teenagers.
The Interior Ministry declared that 40 people were “kidnapped.” The opposition says the men were seized in self-defense.The Interior Ministry declared that 40 people were “kidnapped.” The opposition says the men were seized in self-defense.
All told, since Sunday, several hundred protesters and police troops have been reported wounded in the clashes between police and demonstrators.All told, since Sunday, several hundred protesters and police troops have been reported wounded in the clashes between police and demonstrators.
When police first broke through the barricades to confront protesters at 8 a.m. Wednesday, they caught only a few stragglers. They carried one man, occasionally beating him, past burned-out buses and through a backup line of police, who beat their shields in appreciation.When police first broke through the barricades to confront protesters at 8 a.m. Wednesday, they caught only a few stragglers. They carried one man, occasionally beating him, past burned-out buses and through a backup line of police, who beat their shields in appreciation.
A live Internet video feed from the scene showed other police troops starting to clear away debris. Several had whipped out their phones and were taking photos of the area.A live Internet video feed from the scene showed other police troops starting to clear away debris. Several had whipped out their phones and were taking photos of the area.
A few protesters who had been caught were escorted away on foot. One had a bloody head wound.A few protesters who had been caught were escorted away on foot. One had a bloody head wound.
During the second raid, the front line of police troops faltered momentarily as it was hit with a barrage of stones. Some officers took a few steps back, then continued their advance.During the second raid, the front line of police troops faltered momentarily as it was hit with a barrage of stones. Some officers took a few steps back, then continued their advance.
Following both police sweeps, hard-hat-wearing protesters flowed back up the street, throwing paving stones at their opponents.Following both police sweeps, hard-hat-wearing protesters flowed back up the street, throwing paving stones at their opponents.
The U.S. Embassy in Kiev announced that several Ukrainians who it believes are linked to the violent clashes hold visas that allow them to visit the United States. Those visas are being revoked, the embassy said.The U.S. Embassy in Kiev announced that several Ukrainians who it believes are linked to the violent clashes hold visas that allow them to visit the United States. Those visas are being revoked, the embassy said.
Embassy officials would not identify who the visa-holders are, but official American statements on the crisis here suggest that they are probably Ukrainian government or police officials. Embassy officials would not identify the visa-holders, but official American statements on the crisis here suggest that they are probably Ukrainian government or police officials.