PHOTOS: Anti-government protesters clash with police in Ukraine
February 18, 2014
Protesters catch fire as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a "truce" with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an "attempted coup" by the Kremlin. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images ( 527295595 )
A protester throws tyres to keep a barriade of flames between protesters and police at Independence square in Kiev on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images ( 527258354 )
A protester stands behind barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a "truce" with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an "attempted coup" by the Kremlin. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images ( 527291310 )
Anti-government protesters stand behing barricades as they clash with police in the center of Kiev on February 20, 2014. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. AFP PHOTO/ VOLODYMYR SHUVAYEV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527292783 )
An anti-government protester shows empty bullet casings used by riot police against demonstrators in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. The bodies of 17 other demonstrators with apparent gunshot wounds were also seen in the vicinity of two hotels on opposite sides of the protest encampment. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKYBULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images ( 527291317 )
Protesters clash with police after gaining new positions near the Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images ( 527295380 )
Protesters stand behind barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a "truce" with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an "attempted coup" by the Kremlin. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images ( 527295334 )
Anti-government protesters form a human chain as they carry rocks and tyres to rebuild barricades following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470642181 )
A wounded anti-government protester is treated by medics near Independence Square on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police, with dozens killed. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) ( 470628663 )
Riot police face anti-government protesters during clashes central Kiev on February 20, 2014. Ukraine's brittle truce shattered on February 20 in fierce clashes between baton-wielding protesters and riot police that claimed at least 27 lives just as EU envoys were holding crisis talks with the embattled president. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay amid smouldering debris after masked protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones forced gun-toting police from Kiev's iconic Independence Square -- the epicentre of the ex-Soviet country's three-month-old crisis. SERGEY GAPON/AFP/Getty Images ( 527289638 )
Protesters walk and stand near a burning bus at the Institutskaya Street close to the central Independence Square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Armed protesters stormed today police barricades in Kiev, leaving at least one person dead and shattering a fragile truce as EU foreign ministers called off a crisis meeting with the embattled Ukrainian president. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527285325 )
Bodies of killed anti-government protesters are carried in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. A brief truce in Ukraine's embattled capital failed Thursday, spiraling into fierce clashes between police and anti-government protesters. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) ( Ukraine Protest )
Molotov cocktails are seen at the protesters' barricade in Kiev, Ukraine, 20 February 2014. More than 60 people have been killed in street fighting in Kiev on Thursday, the nationalist Svoboda opposition party says. EPA/LASZLO BELICZAY ( UKRAINE UNREST )
Anti-government protesters clean up debris following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470653285 )
Anti-government protesters rebuild barricades following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470653225 )
Protesters carry a wounded demonstrator in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images ( 527287343 )
Anti-government protesters rebuild barricades following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470643557 )
Anti-government protesters rebuild barricades following continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470643415 )
Anti-government protesters prepare to push forward during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470595893 )
Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470594947 )
Activists pay respects to protesters killed in clashes with police in Kiev, Ukraine, 20 February 2014. More than 60 people have been killed in street fighting in Kiev on Thursday, the nationalist Svoboda opposition party says. The Ukrainian police force has been given combat weapons for use in the civil unrest in Kiev, Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko says. Fresh fighting broke out between thousands of protesters and riot police on Kiev's Independence Square only hours after opposition leaders and President Viktor Yanukovych declared a truce. Protesters were seen throwing firebombs and molotov cocktails at police, who responded with teargas. The square was filled with black smoke from burning tires. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO ( UKRAINE UNREST )
Police officers block a street near the Cabinet of Ministers offies in the center of Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fierce clashes between police and protesters, some including gunfire, shattered a brief truce in Ukraine's besieged capital Thursday, killing numerous people. The deaths came in a new eruption of violence just hours after the country's embattled president and the opposition leaders demanding his resignation called for a truce and negotiations to try to resolve Ukraine's political crisis. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protest )
Anti-government protesters reinforce a barricade in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. A brief truce in Ukraine's embattled capital failed Thursday, spiraling into fierce clashes between police and anti-government protesters. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) ( Ukraine Protest )
A bloody Ukranian flag covers the bodies of killed protesters in Kiev, Ukraine, 20 February 2014. More than 60 people have been killed in street fighting in Kiev on Thursday, the nationalist Svoboda opposition party says. EPA/LASZLO BELICZAY ( epaselect UKRAINE UNREST )
View of the Independence square in Kiev, Ukraine, 20 February 2014. Fresh fighting broke out between thousands of protesters and riot police on Kiev's Independence Square only hours after opposition leaders and President Viktor Yanukovych declared a truce. Protesters were seen throwing firebombs and molotov cocktails at police, who responded with teargas. The square was filled with black smoke from burning tyres. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE UNREST )
A protestor stands near barricades during clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The bodies of eight demonstrators were lying outside Kiev's main post office on Independence Square, an AFP reporter said. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images ( 527288446 )
Protesters advance towards new positions in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Armed protesters stormed police barricades in Kiev on Thursday in renewed violence that killed at least 26 people and shattered an hours-old truce as EU envoys held crisis talks with Ukraine's embattled president. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay amid smouldering debris after masked protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones forced police from Kiev's iconic Independence Square -- the epicentre of the ex-Soviet country's three-month-old crisis. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images ( 527295426 )
A protester uses a catapult during clashes with riot police in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 February 2014. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO ( epaselect UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
An elderly protester smokes during a break in clashes with police in central Kiev on February 20, 2014. Armed protesters stormed today police barricades in Kiev, leaving at least one person dead and shattering a fragile truce as EU foreign ministers called off a crisis meeting with the embattled Ukrainian president. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527286780 )
Protesters hold shields as they clash with riot police during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 February 2014. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Anti-government protesters clash with policemen in Kiev on February 20, 2014. At least 25 protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, AFP correspondents at the scene said. AFP PHOTO/ DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527294380 )
Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police said seven officers died from gunshot wounds, while authorities and demonstrators said five civilians were also killed in the clashes, bringing the death toll to at least 16. Hundreds of people were injured, including dozens of police officers, some with serious wounds. AFP PHOTO / OLEKSANDR RATUSHNIAK/AFP/Getty Images ( 527239429 )
An anti-government protester stands in front of burning vehicles at the Security Service building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP/Getty Images ( 527235192 )
Riot police officers have a rest on Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 February 2014. EPA/DANYLO PRYHODKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Anti-government protesters dig up cobblestones to use them as rocks against riot police on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527250079 )
An anti-government protester takes part in clashes with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 527234695 )
Riot police officers stand on Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 February 2014. EPA/ALEXEY FURMAN ( UKRAINE EU PROTESTS )
Pro-EU Ukrainian opposition activists burn documents thrown from the seized regional Prosecutor's office in the west-Ukrainian city of Lviv, Ukraine, early 19 February 2014. According to reports, hundreds of opposition activists seized and smashed regional Interior ministry department, Prosecutor's office and a military unit in Lviv. EPA/IVAN BOBERSKYY ( UKRAINE LVIV UNRESTS )
Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ( 470589279 )
Protesters throw stones as they clash with riot police during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 February 2014. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Protesters launch a rocket as they clash with riot police during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 February 2014. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
A protester stands behind barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a "truce" with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images ( 527286746 )
Anti-government protesters walk amid debris and flames near the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) ( 470248063 )
The toppled wreck of the police car is seen in a downtown street in Lviv, Ukraine, 19 February 2014 after a night of anti-government demonstrations in the western Ukrainian city. EPA/Darek Delmanowicz ( UKRAINE UNREST )
Anti-government protesters protect themselves behind shields as they clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 527234483 )
Anti-government protesters sack the main Police City Office in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP/Getty Images ( 527235135 )
People look on February 19, 2014 at burnt cars that were set on fire outside the regional police headquarters by the anti-government protesters during the night in Lviv, western Ukraine. AFP PHOTO/ YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP/Getty Images ( 527245301 )
Anti-government protesters stand on Kiev's Independence square during clashes with riot police on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527251832 )
Policemen run amid flames during clashes with anti-government protesters in front of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527238844 )
An anti-government protester prepares to throw a stone at riot police while another holds up a cross during clashes on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527250151 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527239396 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 527239434 )
Anti-government protesters throw cobblestones as they clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 527239530 )
An anti-government protester uses a slingshot to throw stones towards riot police on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527251995 )
A wounded anti-government protester is evacuated during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence square on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PIERO QUARANTA/AFP/Getty Images ( 527252005 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 527239409 )
Anti government protesters protect themselves with shields against advancing riot police forces moving to on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. Ukrainian riot police 18 February launched a massive assault on thousands of anti-government protesters in central Kiev, after clashes that killed at least 13 people and injured some 400 shattered hopes of a peaceful end to a crisis that erupted in November. Police moved against the demonstrators with water cannons and rubber bullets after the Interior Ministry and the Ukrainian Security Service issued a ultimatum until 6 pm local time (1600 GMT), saying that they would take 'all legal measures to restore order.' EPA/ALEXEY FURMAN ( UKRAINE EU PROTESTS )
Riot policemen in flames clash with protesters during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. A least three protesters were killed in clashes with police on 18 February, Ukrainian opposition activists say. EPA/ANDREW KRAVCHENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Protester throw stones to riot police during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Protesters escort injured policeman during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
An protester walks by a burning car during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Injured protester during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/DANYLO PRYHODKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
A protester throws stones at riot police during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
A protester throws a device at riot police during continuing protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( epaselect UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Protesters clash with riot police during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/DANYLO PRYHODKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Fireworks explode as Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO ( UKRAINE EU PROTEST )
General view fires on the Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/ALEXEY FURMAN ( UKRAINE EU PROTESTS )
General view of the riot police moving in to attack demonstrators on Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/ALEXEY FURMAN ( UKRAINE EU PROTESTS )
General view of the riot police attacking demonstrators on Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/ALEXEY FURMAN ( UKRAINE EU PROTESTS )
Anti-government protesters look on during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Some thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence Tuesday. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protest )
Anti government protesters protect themselves with shields against advancing riot police forces moving to on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, 18 February 2014. EPA/ALEXEY FURMAN ( UKRAINE EU PROTESTS )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protest )
Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protests )
An anti-government protester runs during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( APTOPIX Ukraine Protest )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) ( Ukraine Protests )
Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Some thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence Tuesday. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( APTOPIX Ukraine Protest )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protests )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) ( Ukraine Protests )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protests )
An anti-government protester is engulfed in flames during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( APTOPIX Ukraine Protest )
Monuments to Kiev's founders burn as anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( APTOPIX Ukraine Protest )
An anti-government protester, center, prepares to throw a Molotov cocktail during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protest )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Ukraine Protests )
Policeman evacuate a wounded colleague during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Ukrainian anti-government protestors on Tuesday took back control of Kiev's city hall following bloody clashes with riot police just two days after vacating the building, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. Protesters guarded the entrance and some 30 activists were setting up a first aid point inside the building, which the opposition had left on Sunday as part of an amnesty deal with the authorities. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527218261 )
Anti-government protesters clash with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired 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-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527217814 )
Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Ukraine's prosecutor-general on Tuesday warned he would seek to impose the "harshest punishment" on those behind an outburst of violence in Kiev. "The prosecutor-general will demand the harshest punishments for those who provoked people to carry out today's actions, those who organized it and those who directed it," prosecutor-general Viktor Pshonka said in a statement. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527218582 )
Riot police aim at anti-government protesters during clashes in central Kiev on February 18, 2014. Fresh clashes rocked Kiev's main protest camp on Independence Square on February 18 with riot police confronting anti-government protestors, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Protesters fired fireworks at security forces as riot police and water cannon moved towards opposition positions. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527219125 )
Protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired 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-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527218612 )
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in central Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527219298 )
Protesters clash with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Ukrainian riot police stormed the main opposition camp in Kiev Tuesday after clashes left at least seven dead in the bloodiest day in three months of protests, triggering international alarm. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527221248 )
Riot police aim at anti-government protesters during clashes in central Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on February 18 began an assault on the main anti-government protest camp in Kiev after a day of bloody clashes, AFP journalists at the scene said. Police warned women and children to leave the area as they moved on opposition positions with water cannon while protestors responded by throwing Molotov cocktails and setting fire to part of the tent encampment.
AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527220780 )
Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527221859 )
Police experts examine bodies of the dead anti-government protesters after their clashes with the police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527222421 )
Burnt out vehicles remain after protesters clashes with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527222585 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of the Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527223823 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 527222597 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images ( 527223897 )
Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 527223964 )