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In Pictures: Kiev crackdown

Twenty-five people were killed in a crackdown on the anti-government protest movement.

Clashes with riot police started in Kiev early on Tuesday morning, after thousands of protesters marched towards parliament.

By Emeric Fohlen

Published On 19 Feb 2014

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A police crackdown on protesters in the Ukrainian capital ended in the deaths of 25 people and dozens injured, after several weeks that had been relatively calm.

Ukraine’s demonstrations started in November, when President Victor Yanukovich decided not to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union, choosing instead to maintain close economic ties with its eastern neighbour, Russia.

Yanukovich said that the opposition had “crossed the limits”, and that he “urge[d] the leaders of the opposition, who argue that they too seek a peaceful settlement, immediately disassociate themselves from the radical forces that provoke bloodshed and clashes with law enforcement”.

Opposition leaders accused pro-government factions of dragging their feet on a constitutional reform that would limit presidential powers.
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After shutting down nearby underground metro stations and restricting traffic, police armed with stun grenades and water cannons moved into Independence Square.
Independence Square in Kiev has been the centre of nearly three months of protests.
The confrontation grew deadly when police stormed barricades set up by anti-government protesters.
About 20,000 demonstrators fought back, armed with rocks, bats and fire bombs, and singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
In a letter published on his website on Wednesday, Yanukovich accused opposition leaders of ignoring "the basic principle of democracy".
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The iconic square turned into a war zone when riot police hurled stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protesters.
Protesters faught back with Molotov cocktails, fireworks and stones.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the violence was a "direct result of connivance by Western politicians and European structures that have shut their eyes on the aggressive actions of radical forces". 
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned "all use of violence, including against public or party buildings".
Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square.
After a night of violence in the capital Kiev, at least 25 people died.
Acording to the health ministry in Ukraine, several policemen also died and many more were injured.
A number of Western countries, including the US and France, called for an end to the violence in Kiev and restraint by security forces.