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In Pictures: Ukraine’s resilient protesters

Despite police attempts to clear the rallies, demonstrators continue to push for EU integration.

Five volunteers guard the new barricade, under an "Angry Ukrainians" billboard.
By Radu Ciorniciuc
Published On 13 Dec 2013

Ukrainian anti-government demonstrators are celebrating the third week of continuous protests supporting European integration. In recent days they have resisted repeated attempts by the authorities to reclaim the streets.

Legions of riot police had stormed Independence Plaza, dismantling barricades, clashing with protesters and trying to take back the occupied City Hall. The police gave up after nine hours.

The centre of Kiev looks like a war camp covered by military tents, open fires, canteens and solemn demonstrations. People are enjoying the freedom of organised chaos and are bracing for another crackdown.

Volunteers came from all over Ukraine. Some of them brought their children to help in the kitchen. Others make rounds with free sandwiches and hot drinks.
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The main volunteer camp is built in the centre of the Independence Square. Dozens of military tents are used for housing volunteers. Some built their own plastic tents, heated by fires in barrels.
Hundreds of people bring supplies like food, medicine and winter clothes to support the pro-European movement.
Volunteers cook in big cauldrons on open fires made on the Square(***)s pavement. The menu on thursday was potatoes and fish.
The open fires become hotspots for political debates on whether the goverment will attempt another assault or give in to their demands.
Police forces broke the barricades in an attempt to clear the occupied streets and administartive buildings Tuesday night when a goverment ultimatum expired. Protesters armed with improvised clubs successfully fought them off and rebuilt the barricades, stiffening them.
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At times, Independence Square has been filled with over ten thousand demonstrators. opposition politicians, priests and war veterans who have taken the stage to give speeches, sing or recite patriotic poems.
A portrait of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko oversees the square as protesters chant " Long live Ukraine ! Long live our heroes !"
After violent clashes with police on Tuesday and Wednsday, opposition leaders called for support and by the next day the number of protesters had tripled.
A crowd of elders sing patriotic songs on the City Hall(***)s front stairs.