Ukraine Violence Soars As Death Toll Rises

Ukraine Violence Soars As Death Toll Rises

Ukraine’s capital city, Kiev was the scene of some gruesome fighting between anti-government protesters and riot police. The violence came just hours after a truce was reached between the two sides.

The violence began as protesters managed to break through police lines that held them inside Independence Square. They were heading towards the Ukrainian parliament when they were met by sniper and rifle fire. Local reporters say that at least 30 protesters died and countless others were injured in the gunfire.

A statement from President Yanukovich’s office said that dozens of police officers were also killed or wounded in the fighting. The improvised hospital organized in a centrally located cathedral was filled with wounded protesters. Both sides accused each other of starting the violence that paralyzed the city and drew international attention to the protests.

As gunshots were being fired in the Square, ministers from the European Union were negotiating with President Yanukovich in an effort to find a peaceful solution to the violent protests.

As rumors that authorities are distributing guns and ammunition to riot police are spreading, protesters have decided to better fortify their position by creating roadblocks from abandoned vehicles and setting fire to tires.

An emergency meeting of European Union ministers is being held in Brussels today with the goal of convincing president Yanukovich to hold early elections in an effort to avert an all-out civil war.

Posted by James Fried on Friday February 21 2014, 3:18 AM EST. Ref: wsj. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0