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| Kyiv Independence Square on fire (Image: RTR) |
Fierce clashes and violent confrontations are ongoing in Ukrainian
capital Kyiv and all over Ukraine, as protesters refuse to give up and
Yanukovich’s regime continues to kill Ukrainian citizens.
The clashes erupted on Tuesday, 18 February, between the peaceful
protesters heading to the building of Parliament, and security forces firing
teargas, throwing Molotoc cocktails, shooting birdshots and sound and smoke
bombs at the protesters causing chaos and violent clashes. Kyiv downtown and
Maidan (Independence Square) have turned into a real battlefield, as dozens of thousands
of activists and protesters have been defending Maidan and its barricades
despite using of live ammunition and bombs against the protesters. Military
vehicles have been deployed to the scene.
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| Clashes and fire in the heart of Independence Square in Kyiv (Image: DPA) |
Tires are burning in Kyiv, shots and explosions are being heard almost constantly,
with short moments of relative ceasefire. Ministry of health reports officially
about nearly 30 people dead and more than 500 injured, as doctors and activists
of Maidan claim there are more killed people and the numbers of injured are
increased to more than 1000. Numbers of wounded are likely to rise as the
clashes continue, and there are serious threats about the massive attack of “Berkut”
and security forces against Maidan to be launched in the night. Wednesday’s
early morning’s attack have occurred at 4 a.m. as it was expected, thus,
activists are preparing for the next round of battle.
More and more people arrive in Kyiv from different regions of Ukraine in
order to join the lines of defenders of Maidan. Ukrainians are bringing wood,
warm clothes and food for Euromaidan activists. New tires and gasoline are also
being brought to held protesters.
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| Morning on Independence Square (Image: DPA) |
Meanwhile Ukrainians continue to seize administrative buildings and
offices of police and SBU (Secret Police) all over Ukraine, Western Ukrainian
governorates are almost totally under control of revolutionaries, with “Berkut”
and police turning on the side of people. Offices of the ruling Party of
Regions are also being stormed in different Ukrainian cities including Eastern
Ukrainian ones, which are traditionally pro-Yanukovich regions.
In addition to that situation is escalated by the appearance and active
operation of the so called “titushki” (paid thugs used by Yanukovich regime to provoke
attack and intimidate protesters) and criminals in the streets of Kyiv and
other cities as well. Several activists and journalists have been attacked and
seriously injured during the night; there are also casualties as a result of
these attacks. Criminals and “titushki” are backed by the police, “Berkut” and
SBU, as there are many photo and video evidences of these facts. Serious
provocations are expected to happen in Kyiv tonight in order to justify using
of the brutal force.
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| Security forces using live ammunition (Image: AFP) |
State of emergency is de facto imposed in Ukraine since midnight of
Wednesday, 19 February, as Kyiv subway is closed for the second day, entrances
to Kyiv and roads are blocked, transportation is limited. SBU has also declared
on Wednesday, that it launches anti-terrorist campaign against the activists of
Euromaidan who are considered being
terrorists and extremists by the current regime. Launching of anti-terrorist
operation in Ukraine means also, that military forces could be legally used in
the uprising. Ukrainian head of the Armed Forces Mr.Lebedev has confirmed on
Wednesday, that special unit of military was deployed to Kyiv. There were also
numerous reports about military vehicles and technique approaching Kyiv.
Yanukovich has addressed Ukrainians in a TV speech in the morning
accusing opposition of escalating the situation and proclaiming them totally
responsible for the violence and deaths of protesters. Yanukovich said that
Maidan should be left, and people should go home.
Opposition though declared that they are ready for the next round of the
talks with Yanukovich despite the fact that Tuesday’s talks failed. The main
demand for the beginning of the talks is ceasefire and withdrawal of “Berkut”
and riot police from the streets of Kyiv and stop of violence against Ukrainian
protesters.
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| Burning image of Yanukovich in the street (Image: Reuters) |
Yanukovich’s representative has declared later that Yanukovich is also
ready for the negotiations with the oppositional leaders and gave an order to
his team, represented by Olena Lukash and Andriy Portnov, to prepare the talks
with the oppositional leaders in the nearest future. Arseny yatsenyuk, Vitaly
Klichko and Oleg Tyagnybok have stated that they will agree on holding these
talks as there is no way out of the crisis and the bloodshed must be stooped,
while the dicision should be taken in Parliament.
Meanwhile Western countries and Europe are seriously concerned over the
recent events in Ukraine and Yanukovich’s using of brutal force. European
Parliament’s members have had an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday discussing
the issue of Ukraine and resolving of its crisis. European officials have
declared on Wednesday, that targeted sanctions against Ukrainian high officials
and representatives of Yanukovich regime will be imposed starting since
Thursday, with the visa restrictions and arrest of financial assets and
property abroad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel in her turn has called on EU
to demonstrate serious position of Europe and to support Ukrainian citizens
with the real actions imposing sanctions against Yanukovich and his government.
Thus, the sanctions will be imposed in the nearest future, according to the
reports.
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| Ukrainian protesters in the morning, after the night's attacks (Image: RTR) |
Members of Party of Regions are resigning from their positions, as another
parliamentary session is expected to be held on Thursday to discuss the crisis.
Thursday’s session seems to be the last chance of the authorities to change the
situation and to resolve the crisis.
The situation though remains extremely tense, as at least 50 thousand of
people are reported to be presented in Maidan at the moment and more and more
people are joining the protests. Force scenario is still possible, and people
expect an attack, but if it will happen, it could have really terrible impact
as the numbers of people there are very high.
Meanwhile, Yanukovich has changed the heads of Ukrainian Armed Forces
and National Security and Defense Council making rotation, as Volodymyr Zamana,
head of the Armed Forces General Headquarters, was dismissed and appointed as a
Head of the National Security and Defense Council, and General Ilyin was appointed
the Head of the Armed Forces Headquarters.
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