Live

In Pictures

Gallery

In Pictures: Ukrainian protests continue

Demonstrators in central Kiev have reinforced their encampment with barricades amid ongoing unrest.

All six entrances to the square are blocked with heavy barricades which have been strengthened recently. 
All six entrances to the square are blocked with heavy barricades which have been strengthened recently. 
By 
Svetlana Ivanova
20 Dec 2013

Protests in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square began as small demonstrations for European integration in the centre of Ukraine’s capital, Kiev. 

Sparked after the Ukraine signed an economic deal with Russia and stopped talks on a trade deal with the European Union, the protests have continued for several weeks.

Demonstrators have faced police crackdowns and have since enforced barricades around their encampment in the square.  

Demonstrations erupted more than two weeks ago over the question of European integration. Today, many protesters head to the square to express their mistrust with the government of President Viktor Yanukovich. 
Demonstrations erupted more than two weeks ago over the question of European integration. Today, many protesters head to the square to express their mistrust with the government of President Viktor Yanukovich. 
Advertisement
After police attempted to storm the square, demonstrators organized a 24 hour watch on the barricades. The narrow entrances to the square are protected by guards who prevent drunks and possible pro-government provocateurs from passing.
After police attempted to storm the square, demonstrators organized a 24 hour watch on the barricades. The narrow entrances to the square are protected by guards who prevent drunks and possible pro-government provocateurs from passing.
Apart from the occupied House of Trade Unions and the Kiev Administration, the square is also full of tents used to shelter people who have been coming from around the country to join the protests.
Apart from the occupied House of Trade Unions and the Kiev Administration, the square is also full of tents used to shelter people who have been coming from around the country to join the protests.
(***)Troops(***) , mostly young men, patrol day and night on Maidan and its borders, ready to fight against any police assault on their stronghold.
(***)Troops(***) , mostly young men, patrol day and night on Maidan and its borders, ready to fight against any police assault on their stronghold.
(***)The police are with people(***) protesters shout every time they see riot police. Demonstrators stressed the peaceful nature of the protest prior to the first police attempt to disperse the gathering.
(***)The police are with people(***) protesters shout every time they see riot police. Demonstrators stressed the peaceful nature of the protest prior to the first police attempt to disperse the gathering.
Former boxer and founder of the Udar party, Vitali Klitschko, has played a leading role in the protests. Since announcing plans to run for president, he has used Maidan Square as an arena for his political statements.
Former boxer and founder of the Udar party, Vitali Klitschko, has played a leading role in the protests. Since announcing plans to run for president, he has used Maidan Square as an arena for his political statements.
Advertisement
Some Ukrainian veterans of the Afghan war have publicly declared their support for protests in Maidan. They wear vests with the slogan (***)Veterans are with the people(***).
Some Ukrainian veterans of the Afghan war have publicly declared their support for protests in Maidan. They wear vests with the slogan (***)Veterans are with the people(***).
Flower wreaths worn on the heads of Ukrainian women are part of the country(***)s traditional national dress. The wreaths symbolise love, and protects the wearer from evil. Along with other symbols, the wreath on Maidan is emblematic of Ukrainian identity.
Flower wreaths worn on the heads of Ukrainian women are part of the country(***)s traditional national dress. The wreaths symbolise love, and protects the wearer from evil. Along with other symbols, the wreath on Maidan is emblematic of Ukrainian identity.
The inscription (***)Revolutionary Tribunal(***) on the Kiev Administration building appeared during the first days of the protest. The first floor of the building is occupied by protesters as a mess hall and dormitory. Meetings are also conducted there.
The inscription (***)Revolutionary Tribunal(***) on the Kiev Administration building appeared during the first days of the protest. The first floor of the building is occupied by protesters as a mess hall and dormitory. Meetings are also conducted there.
During the latest police assault on the square, protesters blocked the entrance with their bodies. The standoff lasted for several hours and ended with a victory for the demonstrators.
During the latest police assault on the square, protesters blocked the entrance with their bodies. The standoff lasted for several hours and ended with a victory for the demonstrators.
More from Gallery

In Pictures: Animal attacks take their toll in Kashmir

Saleema Bano, 58, said a bear attacked her when she was working in a field with her daughter, resulting in the loss of her left eye [Mukhtar Khan/AP Photo]

In Pictures: Indian farmers’ rebellion rattles Modi gov’t

Farmers shout slogans at a police road block near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipurto to stop them from marching to New Delhi to protest against the central government's recent agricultural reforms [Sajjad Hussain/AFP]

In Pictures : Sikhs mark Guru Nanak’s 551st birth anniversary

Sikh devotees, some of them wearing masks, arrive to offer prayers during celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, at a gurudwara, or Sikh temple, in Jammu. [Channi Anand/AP Photo]

In Pictures: Angry India farmers march against ‘pro-market’ laws

A protester kicks away a tear gas canister fired by police to disperse farmers at a roadblock as they try to march to New Delhi [Money Sharma/AFP]
Most Read

Trump releases video repeating debunked election fraud claims

United States President Donald Trump again alleged fraud and accused the Democrats of 'stealing' the election [Evan Vucci/AP Photo]

France: 76 mosques face closure, 66 migrants deported

France is home to the largest Muslim minority population in Europe, and some fear being collectively punished after a series of attacks in recent months [File: Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images]

Saudi Arabia, Qatar near agreement in Gulf crisis: Sources

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held talks in Doha on Wednesday with outgoing Trump adviser Jared Kushner [QNA]

Why are thousands of Indian farmers protesting?

Farmers from the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, angry at recently enacted farm laws, have been trying to stage protests in the capital, New Delhi [FIle: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters]