Times of crisis

Times of crisis

Advertisement

Images of turmoil, injury and death have been flowing from Ukraine, a country shaken by its bloodiest unrest since Soviet times.

Dozens have died in clashes between police and protesters, including a gun battle in the centre of Kiev, after some three months of anti-government demonstrations reached their deadliest pitch.

. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

Hours of fierce fighting in Kiev's Independence Square, which was recaptured by anti-government protesters, left bodies strewn on the ground.

Riot police were captured on video shooting from a rooftop at demonstrators in the plaza.

Protesters hurled petrol bombs and paving stones to drive the security forces off a corner of the square the police had captured in battles that began on two days earlier.

Video of the clashes on the edge of the Kiev square also showed riot policemen firing bursts from automatic rifles on the run as they covered retreating colleagues. An opposition militant in a helmet was filmed firing from behind a tree.

. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Stringer

In the image above, anti-government protesters detain a wounded policeman during the fighting in Independence Square.

Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko said police had been issued with combat weapons and would use them "in accordance with the law" to defend themselves - or to free 67 of their colleagues his ministry said were being held captive.

Demonstrators said captured police had been allowed to go.

. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

The bloodshed, in which both sides used firearms, traumatised many in the Ukraine, where a 2004-05 Orange Revolution for democracy passed off largely peacefully.

It also heightened concern voiced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that Ukraine could descend into civil war or split between the pro-European west and Russian-speaking east.

In a bid to end the crisis, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on February 21 signed an agreement with three opposition leaders.

The deal sets out plans to hold early presidential elections, form a national unity government and revert to the 2004 constitution, removing some of the president’s powers.

1 / 19

Slideshow

Anti-government protesters throw missiles during clashes with riot police in Independence Square.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

Anti-government protesters throw missiles during clashes with riot police in Independence Square.

A protester shoots an improvised device during fighting in the plaza.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Reuters Photographer

A protester shoots an improvised device during fighting in the plaza.

Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher as flames flare.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher as flames flare.

Riot police attack anti-government protesters.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Maks Levin

Riot police attack anti-government protesters.

Two men, their faces covered with blood, are seen after clashes with riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vlad Sodel

Two men, their faces covered with blood, are seen after clashes with riot police.

A wounded man lies in front of a barricade.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Reuters Photographer

A wounded man lies in front of a barricade.

A woman covers her eyes in front of dead bodies lying on the ground.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin

A woman covers her eyes in front of dead bodies lying on the ground.

An anti-government protester pays his respects to a fallen comrade.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

An anti-government protester pays his respects to a fallen comrade.

Protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes.

Demonstrators use a sling to fire objects at members of the Interior Ministry and riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Demonstrators use a sling to fire objects at members of the Interior Ministry and riot police.

An anti-government protester stands behind his shield during the violence.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

An anti-government protester stands behind his shield during the violence.

A protester aims a rifle during clashes with riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Maks Levin

A protester aims a rifle during clashes with riot police.

A protester holds a Ukranian flag as he advances through burning barricades.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

A protester holds a Ukranian flag as he advances through burning barricades.

Another protesters rests, wrapped in a flag.
. Kiev, Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Another protesters rests, wrapped in a flag.

A medic cleans a protester’s eyes.
. Kiev, Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

A medic cleans a protester’s eyes.

Anti-government protesters listen to speeches by their leaders in Independence Square.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

Anti-government protesters listen to speeches by their leaders in Independence Square.

A man holds his dead son’s hand as over a dozen corpses are transferred from a hotel lobby to a local hospital after clashes with riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

A man holds his dead son’s hand as over a dozen corpses are transferred from a hotel lobby to a local hospital after clashes with riot police.

A priest performs the last rites on the body of an anti-government protester.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

A priest performs the last rites on the body of an anti-government protester.

Rows of protesters sleep in Kiev’s City Hall.
. Kiev, Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Rows of protesters sleep in Kiev’s City Hall.

. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Olga Yakimovich

Smoke billows from Independence Square during clashes between protesters and police.