RIOTS IN DOWNTOWN KYIV – ongoing updates.
Earlier today, large groups of Maidan activists walked in a procession to the Verkhovna Rada [Parliament], demanding reinstatement of the 2004 version of the Ukrainian Constitution. The area was surrounded by law enforcement. The situation escalated fast. A dozen people reported dead, hundreds injured. After numerous clashes, the protesters retreated to Maidan [Independence Square], followed by law enforcers.
Starting from 8:30 pm, several attacks have been made on the protesters’ camp, many of the barricades were lost. The protesters are now gathered in the heart of the camp, protecting themselves from further attacks by walls of fire.
The government threatens to treat everyone who does not leave downtown Kyiv by midnight as a terrorist. Access to the city is being restricted. One of the main TV channels covering the protests has been switched off throughout Ukraine.
As of 01:00, Kyiv time, the death toll has reached TWENTY, and the number of injured, FIVE HUNDRED.
Earlier updates:
MORNING:
08:55-11:00, 11:06-12:01
AFTERNOON:
12:01-12:45, 12:44-15:50
EVENING:
19:10-20:30, 20:45-22:20
NIGHT:
22:40-23:30
23:30 – People Shot by Titushkas
Titushkas [hired thugs] shot down two guys at Velyka Zhytomyrska Street. One of them died. I don’t know about the other one. This was the first time in my life that I heard the whistle of bullets for the first time in my life. The guy who died was standing right in front of me, while I was concealed by a car.
UPDATE: They pelleted us with the same grenades as the police have. We started to retreat. Guys were just standing there and looking out how many of those vampires there are. They opened fire at us. I don’t why. By that moment, the main forces hadn’t managed to arrive.
TOOK A GOOD LOOK AT THE PHOTOS. THEY ARE DRESSED LIKE OUR SELF-DEFENSE.
00:03 – President Does Not Answer His Phone
Lesya Orobets:
I confirm the reports that Yanuk [Yanukovych] does not answer phone calls from world leaders and ambassadors of Western countries. This can only mean one thing – he crossed his bloody Rubicon. He has chosen the path of a tyrant for good, and he does not care what the world will say about him. But he also has to understand what end tyrants usually meet.
00:10 to 00:20 – STORM ATTEMPT!
Berkut forces attempt an assault. Self-defense squads hold the line. Speakers shout commands from the stage:
“HOLD THE LINE!” and “DON’T TURN YOUR BACK TO THE BEAST.”
The assault failed. However, snipers shot at the stage, injuring Turchynov.
Two Berkut officers were taken captive during the assault. Speakers from the stage demand that the protesters not hurt them. They say that the captives will be provided medical aid. Maidan speakers declare that Maidan observes the Geneva Convention: “We are humans, not animals. We treat the wounded, from either side.”
More prayers are read from the stage.
00:45 – Titushkas On The Prowl
Around 500 “titushkas” are walking around Velyka Zhytomyrska Street! They are armed, and shoot at windows and people.
0:55 – Berkut Officer Heavily Injured by Friendly Fire
Oleksandr Bryhynets, MP:
A Berkut officer had his hand torn off by a grenade blast. Currently, a doctor is examining him, then he will be taken to a hospital. Same as others, he was hurt by one of the grenades thrown by Berkut, as a result of running too far head. We see that Berkut are destroying their own men now.
FOOTAGE of Berkut Capture:
01:10 – Fire in Trade Union House
Knowing that hundreds of heavily wounded are in the Trade Union House, police climbed onto the roof and set the top floor on fire. The building is burning. If they can’t get the wounded out in time, this may end very badly…
Hubs:
The top floors of the Trade Union House are on fire. People are blocked by Berkut officers and try to jump out from 4th-floor windows.
01:13 – Law Enforcers Sustain Losses
NR2.RU:
Law enforcers also suffer serious losses in manpower. According to the latest information from the MIA official website, 6 policemen are dead, 159 are in hospitals, 35 of them in severe condition.
01:27 – Medics Call for Peace
Maidan medics are announcing that they have provided Berkut members with medical aid and ask their commanders to come to their senses.
UPDATES FROM OUTSIDE OF KYIV:
Ternopil
The MIA building is on fire (Euromaidan Twitter)
Rivne
Local Berkut units have been disarmed! (0:56)
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