Ukraine Police Storms The Maidan

World | February 18, 2014, Tuesday // 20:58
Bulgaria: Ukraine Police Storms The Maidan Madian square in Kiev. Photo: Espreso TV live coverage

Under the cover of water cannons, tear gas and shock grenades the Ukrainian police is storming the Independence square (Maidan) in Kiev.

The live coverage of local media shows fires, explosions and fireworks. The square is apparently full of thousands of people who are singing the national anthem.

According to reporters, the streets around the square are teeming with police, snipers and army.

Ukrainian MP Vitali Klitschko urged the people to stand their ground. “This is a small island of freedom”, he said.

During the day, at least nine people were reportedly killed, including two policemen. Most are allegedly killed by gunfire.

The Ukrainian media report that there are hundreds of wounded – mostly victims of tear gas and severe head injuries.

The deaths are the result of the renewed violent clashes that set thousands of police and protesters against each other at several locations near Ukraine's parliament building in Kiev, after several weeks of relative peace.

The opposition has demanded the return of the 2004 constitution, which curbs some of President Yanukovych's powers.

The changes would mean that parliament, rather than the president, would appoint the prime minister and most cabinet members, as well as regional governors.

The move could also lead to early presidential elections, which has been a key demand of the opposition.

Security forces had earlier given protesters a deadline of 18:00 local time to end the unrest.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

World » Be a reporter: Write and send your article
Tags: Vitali Klitschko, Ukraine, violence, Maidan, Kiev, Kiev

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria