The protest movement exploded on the scene in November after Yanukovich, under pressure from Moscow, backed out of a trade deal with the European Union. As part of the arrangement, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised $15 billion in loans to Ukraine and cheaper natural gas prices. Now angered by Yanukovich’s concessions to protesters in hopes of defusing their mobilizations, Moscow has frozen further loan payments and insisted that Kiev pay a $2.7 billion gas debt.

Workers from across the country continue to come to Kiev for daily protests. The actions are fueled by opposition to Russian domination of the country, the trampling of democratic and political rights in the Stalinist political police tradition by the government in Kiev, and the impact of the worsening economic crisis.

“We don’t want our country to be run by criminals. We don’t want our children to be without work,” Valentina, 64, a retired worker told Reuters.