Protesters clashed with Berkut police today in Kyiv, Ukraine, when thousands marched to the parliament building to protest a critical vote that would put power back into the government and out of the hands of President Yanukovych. Demonstrators were met by riot police and clashes erupted. Since then, Berkut and thugs hired by the government, called “titushki,” are fighting with protesters in the main square of Kyiv, which has been dubbed “Euromaidan” since the demonstrations began in late November of 2013.
The conflict at this time shows no sign of defusing. Riot police are on the roof of the Trades Union building overlooking Independence Square and they currently use the vantage point to attack the protesters below. Large fires rage in the city center, while similar clashes are erupting in other Ukrainian cities. Electricity to the square has been cut. There are also reports that news sources sympathetic to Euromaidan are offline while pro-government news still broadcasts unhindered.
The demands of Euromaidan have changed little since Ukrainians began mass demonstrations in November. President Yanukovych must resign as president, the constitution of Ukraine must be restored to the 2004 rendition that limited presidential power and granted most authority to the parliament, and Ukraine will begin the process of integration into the European Union, as they were invited to do in November of 2013. Ukraine’s economy is very depressed, and they require billions in loans to pay off debts to Russia for oil and trade deficits.
President Putin offered Yanukovych deeply subsidized oil and $15 billion to help with their debt with the condition they refuse to sign any association agreement with the E.U. Yanukovych accepted his offer, which sparked the months-long protests that have grown violent tonight.
http://youtu.be/3nw4DaoD0s4
Edited/Published by: SB
