Sunday, December 1, 2013

‘Revolution!’ Thousands pour in for pro-EU rally in Ukraine, storm govt buildings, Clashes in Kiev amid massive pro-EU protests: LIVE UPDATES




‘Revolution!’ Thousands pour in for pro-EU rally in Ukraine, storm govt buildings

Clashes in Kiev amid massive pro-EU protests: LIVE UPDATES by Russia Today.

 14:14 GMT: A YouTube video shows an earlier attempt by the Ukrainian protesters to break the police cordon near the presidential administration building.

14:06 GMT: Stun grenades explode and smoke covers the street near the entrance to the Ukrainian president’s administration building in Kiev. Reports say tear gas has been used. The sounds of bagpipes could be heard amid loud chanting of protesters demanding President Yanukovich’s resignation.

13:44 GMT: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich is holding counsel in his residence outside Kiev, Itar-Tass reports, citing government sources.

13:26 GMT: Clashes with police were ongoing near the presidential administration building in Kiev, with gunshots, explosions, smoke, stone throwing at the police officers, and loud booing and whistling reported from the scene. The “President of Ukraine” sign has been vandalized with paint. Conflicting reports on Twitter claim that the building had already been entered by the protesters. 

13:19 GMT: Ukrainian opposition leaders called for a nationwide strike and claimed that “revolution” has started, addressing the rally from a makeshift stage on Maidan square. Ukrainian media said some 700 thousand had gathered in and around Kiev’s main square.

13:07 GMT: Five policemen were injured as pro-EU protesters attempted to break a cordon with a tractor near the presidential administration building, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said. Police used loud speakers to urge the crowds to stop provocations, according to Interfax. However, some protesters on Twitter said the first line of the cordon had already been breached and the people were marching on.

12:56 GMT: The Trade Union building near Maidan square was stormed and taken by protesters bearing emblems of the opposition parties, Itar-Tass reports. The security guards reportedly left the building.
12:49 GMT: A Ukrainian opposition leader, ex-boxing champion, Vitaly Klitschko, has called on President Yanukovich and his government to resign.

12:38 GMT: Reports claimed the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers building has been entered by the protesters. Earlier, hundreds of riot police surrounded the administrative compound.
12:27 GMT: Protesters planted Ukrainian and EU flags on the frame of a Christmas tree that was being erected in Maidan square.

12:12 GMT: Clashes have broken out near the Ukrainian President’s compound between protesters and riot police, with reports of gunshots and thick smoke coming from the scene. Some local reports cited by Itar-Tass claimed the offices are being “stormed.” Protesters drove a bulldozer to the compound, reportedly in an attempt to break the riot police cordon. 
11:45 GMT: A group of “provocateurs” broke into the Kiev Mayor’s office building after breaking the windows and opening the doors from the inside, Itar-Tass reports, citing local media. The nearby pro-EU protesters reportedly stopped the masked rioters from going further with what they said was “provocation.” An opposition journalist, Tatyana Chornovil, was said to be coordinating the “storming” of the government building.



11:30 GMT: A tens of thousands-strong “raging crowd” has retaken Kiev’s Independence Square, commonly referred to as the Maidan, RT’s Alexey Yaroshevsky reports on Twitter. Protesters chanting “Revolution!” and anti-government slogans started displacing metal shields that had been installed by police after a violent ejection of the protesters on Saturday morning .


Posted by at
Labels: , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...