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Ukrainian Interior Ministry cops and riot police amass during crackdown on anti-government protesters in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 18. At least 26 were killed and hundreds injured in the most violent clashes since thousands took to the streets nearly three months ago to protest economic and political domination of the country by Moscow, backed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich. Protesters burned down their encampment in Independence Square and the Trade Union building they had occupied, creating barricades of fire as they were forced back.
The clashes erupted hours after the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin pledged another $2 billion in bailout loans and pushed for a crackdown on protesters, while Yanukovich put off the opposition’s demand to restore the 2004 constitution, which would increase the powers of parliament at the expense of the executive. Yanukovich and Putin announced that the crackdown was launched to thwart a coup by rightist opposition groups. According to news reports, some opposition forces had taken over government buildings in several cities, burning some down and seizing weapons from police and military facilities.
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