At least four reported dead, more than 100 injured as violent clashes break out near Ukraine's parliament

(LIVE UPDATES, VIDEO)

Feb. 18, 2014, 6:40 p.m. | Kyiv by Kyiv Post

Anti-government protesters clash with police in the center of Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday red rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters as they demonstrated close to Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Police also responded with smoke bombs after protesters hurled paving stones at them as they sought to get closer to the heavily-fortied parliament building. AFP PHOTO/GENYA SAVILOV AFP

Open warfare broke out on the streets of Kyiv today, with at least four persons reportedly killed and more than 100 people injured. The death toll is likely to increase, as opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko reported that he has seen at least 10 corpses today. There was no oicial conrmation of his estimate. Dr. Olga Bogomolets, a physician, told the Kyiv Post at 3:30 p.m. today that three protesters were killed while dozens more were injured, including many with serious wounds. The Emergencies Ministry reported a fourth casualty, that of an employee for the ruling pro-presidential Party of Regions, apparently killed after protesters stormed the party oice on Lypska Street. Oleh Musiy, the medical director for the anti-government protesters, said that one victim died from a gunshot wound to the head while two others died from head injuries. The three slain protesters were taken to the House of Oicers on Hrushevskoho Street. One man is tentatively identied as Serhiy Didych, a member of a local city council in western Ukraine's Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Another is identied as Volodymyr Yuriyovych Kishuk of Zaporyzhia in southeastern Ukraine. The third fatal victim had not ben identied as of 5:30 pm. The four deaths came amid renewed violent clashes that pit thousands of police and protesters against each other at several locations near Ukraine's parliament building in Kyiv. When added to the ve protesters killed in January, the death toll in the anti-government EuroMaidan protests that began on Nov. 21 has now reached nine persons. Police said today that at least 37 police oicers were injured, but that number could not be conrmed by other sources. The Institute of Mass Information also said that at least 15 journalists covering the violence were attacked by police.

The three major areas of clashes in Kyiv are on Institututska and Shovkovychna streets, Hrushevskoho Street and Mariinsky Park. Police by mid-afternoon had repelled protesters from a government district that includes the Presidential Administration, the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Berkut riot-control police oicers, armed with Kalashnikovs, march on Independence Square about 5 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Acting Security Services of Ukraine head Oleksandr Yakymenko and acting Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko issued a public warning at 4 p.m. to protesters to clear the streets within two hours: If by 6 p.m. the lawlessness doesn't cease, we shall be forced to used all legal means to bring order. Kyiv's metro was closed by 4:30 p.m. and roads leading to Kyiv were blocked by police. A commandant for the opposition-occupied Ukrainian House announced at 5 p.m. that police oicers stormed the building, forcing the evacutation of civilians. General Prosecutor Viktor Pshonka issued a combative statement: For everyone who suered, for every burned car and broken window, the organizers of the mass disturbances will carry responsibility. The general prosecutor's oice will demand the most severe punishment for those who pushed people into today's action, and those who organized and managed them."

Police oicers beat a lone protester today. Police beat, chase demonstrators to Independence Square By mid-afternoon, thousands of police oicers had encircled the government district that includes the Presidential Administration complex, parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers. They chased protesters down to Independence Square, from Institutska and Hrushevskhoho streets near parliament, banging on their protective metal shields and encouraging each other. Police also beat and kicked protesters along the way to Independence Square, leaving several seriously injured protesters on the street. One protester with a head wound told the Kyiv Post that charging police oicers "smashed everybody" in their advancing path, including women and girls. Glass windows were shattered at the Khreshchatyk Street metro stop. A police oicer grabbed the gas mask of a Kyiv Post journalist on Institutska Street, and said "I love it! We love it!" of the police advance. Police showed journalists bullet holes in their metal shields to prove that demonstrators also red on them with guns. At October Palace, visible from Independence Square, riot threw bricks down the hill at protesters, including women, from a bridge along Institutska Street.

Also, at 3:45 p.m., hundreds of riot police advanced on Shovkovychna Street towards Ukraine's parliament, attacking protesters. Meanwhile, in Mariinsky Park, police and hired government thugs armed with bats -- known as "titushkis" -- had cornered a group of anti-government protesters inside a building on Mariinsky Park. The police and "titushkis" behaved aggressively and escorted the protesters from the building and marched them towards the center down Hrushevskoho Street. It wasn't clear where police were taking the captured protesters. A Kyiv Post journalist walking the northern perimeter of Independence Square on the evening of Feb. 18 saw no police presence on Mykhailviska, Soyivska or Mala Zhytomyrska strets, all uphill from the square and on the opposite side of the day's violent clashes.

A priest gives last rites to three demonstrators shot to death today by police. Their bodies were taken to the House of Oicers on Hrushevskoho Street. The dead had not yet been publicly identied by 4 p.m.

Opposition leaders brace for evening crackdown on Independence Square An emergency meeting is being held on Feb. 19 between President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders, who warned of an overnight police crackdown on Feb. 18. Oleh Tyahnybok, the leader of the opposition Svoboda Party, called on all Kyivans have to join this peaceful demonstrations against today's lawlessness. We have to ght for Ukraines future, he said.

Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko made a plea for only men to come to Independence Square. I would like to ask women and children to leave Maidan. It may happen that maidan will be forcefully dispersed. And we are addressing the president and law enforcement oicers to stop the stando, Klitschko said. Today in the Verkhovna Rada we tried to do everything to stop the confrontation, but we were not heard. Tomorrow morning, the negotiations will start. And we shouldnt lose any opportunity to settle the process of negotiations by peaceful means, he said. Be careful. Were here and we wont allow brutal crackdown. Im urging Interior Ministry employees, riot police oicers and those who are giving the orders to stop the bloodshed. Well do everything to stop the bloodshed Shortly before 6 p.m., opposition leader Arseniy Yatseniuk told a crowd on Independence Square that the ght is against dictatorshiop. He warned them to expect that police would try to clear the square of protesters, who have been massed there since Nov. 21. "We want the Ukrainian people to regain the power and we won't go away from Maidan," Yatseniuk said. "This regime won't nd compromise, they were the rst to shoot the activists today." Serhiy Sobolev, a member of parliament with the opposition Batkivshchyna Party, said that Yanukovych is afraid of elections. "Thats why he ordered to attack the peacefull protesters, Sobolev added. Lutsenko, the nation's former top cop who is now an opposition leader, took the stage earlier to urge police oicers not to resort to violence. Soldiers dont take blood onto your hands by protecting these gangsters in power. If you step foot on the Maidan (Independence Square) this is your choice. Whoever passes this threshold determines their countrys future. Nobody among the Interior Ministry generals or the president is among you soliders, Im here addressing you," Lutsenko said. "They are in their stolen private jets. We have a common enemy. This enemy is (President Viktor) Yanukovych and his gang who steals from you and us. You just need one more step to join us and lay down your shields. Your wives and children are waiting for you at home like heroes not like punishers. We remain here on free territory of our liberty. There will be more here soon. Dont follow orders. You wont be a traitor if you join us. Show your true soul and hearts. Crowds also chanted: "Kyiv, wake up!" and "Kyiv, stand up!" Women were asked to gather together near the stage as men took the front lines against police. Svoboda Party leader Oleh Tiahnybok took to the stage and asked the public to come to Independence Square to join "our ght against this crazy regime." Addressing President Viktor Yanukovych, Tiahnybok said: "They should know we'll stand here until the end."

Protesters set tires and trucks on re on Institutska Street in Kyiv today.

Chaos, gunshots and blood Hours earlier, at 1:30 p.m., police oicers had once again taken up sniper positions by on the roof of a ve-story, commercialresidential building on 17/5 Institutska Street. Oicers red down onto crowds of protesters, after being repelled earlier in the day

by demonstrators. Other oicers red indiscriminately into charging crowds of protesters. The Institutska Street building, which protesters set on re this morning and at one time controlled, has been the scene of today's most violent clashes so far. Besides ring guns, police used clubs, tear gas and ash grenades in a bid to repel thousands of demonstrators who this morning marched on the Verkhovna Rada, as parliament failed to meet today to consider opposition demands for a new constitution and new government. Protesters struck back, armed with sticks, stones, metal bars, reworks and Molotov cocktails and other explosives. Police started ring guns before noon, using rubber bullets and metal bullets, in a bid to repel advancing protesters. Dozens of police and protesters were injured by 1 p.m. with the clashes continuing and the number of victims growing higher. At least two men were shot in the head with rubber bullets, while several front-line protesters were also red upon by police. Yet other protesters were seen bleeding profusely from the head and carried away from the scene. Protesters also attacked police oicers. Three major areas of clashes The clashes broke out in at least three separate approaches to parliament after several thousand demonstrators gathered at 8 a.m. on Kyiv's Independence Square: on Mariinsky Park, on Hrushevskoho Street and on Institutska Street near Shovkovychna Street. The most serious clashes were taking place on Institutska and Shovkovychna streets.

One of dozens injured in clashes today between police and protesters.

Institutska Street and Shovkovychna Street By 1:30 p.m., police had regained control of the intersection after a see-saw battle with protesters that injured several people on both sides. Numerous police reinforcements, who had been rushed to a ve-story building on 17/5 Institutska St. where protesters had trapped oicers, regained control and once again took up sniper positions on the rooftop and started ring on crowds below. Police oicers on foot charged a group of protesters with shotguns and red into the crowd, hitting at least one young man in the eye. The victim was bleeding profusely before being taken away to a hospital by several medics. Earlier, hundreds of police oicers had been repelled after trying to regain control of Institutska and Shovkovychyna streets. They were attacked by protesters. The scene was one of smoke, noise and chaos as protesters tried to block the intersection with park benches and dumpsters. One oicer was beaten unconscious. Protesters were bleeding from the head. Around noon, several police trucks had been set on re. Before noon, at least four oicers took up rooftop positions on 17/5 Institutska St., a ve-story residential and commerical building, and were throwing smoke and ash grenades down on protesters who tossed reworks back up at the police. Other oicers had taken positions inside the building. A group of protesters then stormed the building, broke windows and tried to attack the police snipers. The front entrance of 17/5 Institutska St. was set on re as protesters shouted at police. The front entrance of the building was in ames. As police tried to exit, they were forced back inside by protesters. At least nine protesters made it to the building's roof, some of them brandishing metal bars, in a tense stando. Police briey had retreated and protesters triumphantly scaled the roof and were waving a large Ukrainian ag. The clashes started after some two dozen demonstrators moved a police vehicle blocking their path to parliament. Many demonstrators dug up paving stones underneath their feet and passed them to the front line for dozens of ghters to throw at police. The brigade included old and young women. Opposition lawmaker Volodymyr Ariev said on Twitter: "Law enforcers were the rst to use grenades and shoot. When lawmaker Olena Kondratiuk tried to pass them, they were aiming at her legs." Smoke was everywhere as convoys of protesters continued to dig up and pass paving stones to front-line ghters.

Protesters throw stones at police as reghters try to put out a re to a building on 17/5 Institutska St., where oicers had been ring from the rooftop down on a crowd of demonstrators.

Party of Regions oice on Lypska Street set on re By 12: 30 p.m., police had regained control of a ruling Party of Regions building on nearby Lypska Street, which protesters had stormed and set on re earlier in the day. A group of protesters nearby at 11:30 a.m. broke into the building. Journalist and opposition activist Tetyana Chornovol was among the protesters who scaled the fence. Other protesters broke windows of the party building.

Someone with a hose inside red water outside on the attacking demonstrators. Chornovol entered the party building and gleefully threw documents outside. A person inside the party building threw water bottles from a second oor window on protesters. There were no police or guards immediately present. Demonstrators beat down the front door with a hatchet.

Smoke billows from a building at 17/5 Institutska St., where police snipers had been ring gunshots on a crowd of protesters before demonstrators charged the building.

Hrushevskoho Street Police by mid-afternoon were pushing protesters up Hrushevskoho Street, towards Arsenalna metro station near Mariinsky Park. Demonstrators had massed on Hrushevskhoho Street, the ashpoint for deadline between police and protesters from Jan. 19-22, killing four demonstrators, including three from gunshot wounds. Hundreds of "people's self-defense" took up positions between barricades abandoned only a day earlier Feb. 17. A Kyiv Post reporter on the scene said they appeared to be bracing for violent conict as riot police amassed on the other side. Demonstrators on Hrushevskoho Street burned tires, as they have done in previous standos, to create a smokescreen between them and police. Oleksandr Chaban of Kyiv came to support demonstrators on Hrushevskoho Street, but says he doesn't believe the ght will be at this location. "Too many police oicers on the other side here just stupid to ght against that. Besides that I hope the situation can still be peacefully resolved in parliament today," he said. "Besides I hope that the sitaution can still be peacefully resolved in parliament today." However, 300 to 400 "people's self-defense" ghters massed in rows, put on their masks and stood in rows as if ready for ghting. The eect was to draw police away from Institutska Street, the scene of today's most violent clashes so far, and back down on Hrushevskoho Street.

A tense scene was forming on Hrushevskhoho Street as violence broke out near parliament on Institutytska and Shovkovichnya streets in Kyiv.

Mariinsky Park By mid-afternoon, police drove back up to 10,000 protesters towards Arsenalna metro station from Mariinsky Park, where demonstrators earlier in the day had built barricades some 200 meters from the Verkhovna Rada. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd that chanted "fascists" as they retreated. Dozens of activists were injured in this park alone, and at least one police oicer as well. Yevhen Nishchuk, one of the emcees for the anti-government EuroMaidan protests, asked activists to stay in Mariinsky Park and near the Verkhovna Rada parliament building. Pro-government demonstrators and "titushki" -- or hired government thugs -- were also in the park. Demonstrators threw stun grenades at "titushki," lling the park with smoke. Other anti-government activists tried to keep the pro-government and anti-government forces apart. The anti-government protesters included many members of the opposition Svoboda Party, who chanted "Together to victory!" About 11 a.m, protesters broke down a metal fence that separated police from protesters, but were stopped in their advance by police ring tear gas. The protesters did not retreat, however, and instead built barricades.

Protesters get ready for battle with police on Hrushevskoho Street on Feb. 18.

Black smoke from burning tires starts on Hrushevskoho Street, the scene of bloody clashes between police and protesters that killed at least four demonstrators in January.

Parliament doesn't meet While todays parliamentary session had yet to start as of noon, opposition leader Vitali Klitschko said that parliament speaker Volodymyr Rybak, is to blame. I want to emphasize that the responsibility lies on the shoulders of Rybak. He received the assignment from Bankova (the Presidential Administration) not to register the bill (on returning to the 2004 Constitution lessening presidential powers) in any case. Klitschko said. The president cant every time come and talk with the deputies. There is high probability that the majority can vote for returning to the Constitution of 2004 and the authorities are afraid of that. Parliament apparently will only consider a new prime minister and constitutional changes on Feb. 20. Oleksandr Doniy, an independent lawmaker, said: "They handed out the agenda (for today's session) as if there is no crisis in the country. All the issues on it are secondary."

Protesters set police trucks on re on Institutska Street and Shovkovychna Street in Kyiv early this morning. Numerous protesters were injured after police snipers on rooftops red into the protesting crowds on gunshots with rubber bullets and steel pellets. The scene was one of smoke, teargas and chaos as thousands of demonstrators pulled paving stones from the street and passed them to front-line ghters for use against police.

This story was based on the reporting of Kyiv Post journalists Katya Gorchinskaya, Christopher J. Miller, Daryna Shevchenko, Vlad Lavrov, Olga Rudenko, Nataliya Trach, Nathaniel Espino, Iryna Yeroshko, Solomiya Zinyevych and written by Brian Bonner. 1833