Turnaround decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade
and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives
from Russia ignites a protest movement with occupation of Kiev's Maidan (Independance) Square and official buildings. Protesters sets up camp in Maidan, erecting tall barricades against police and thugs actions. December 2013 and January 2014.
View of Maidan square occupied by protesters during a standoff between anti-government protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street in Kiev. 25 January 2014.
Protesters attend a religious service in a chapel set up inside a tent on Maidan Square on January 28, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. While Ukrainian parliament holds an emergency session, standoff between anti-government protesters and riot police continue s on Hrushevskoho street.
Violent clashes opposed protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street with barricades and police trucks set on fire in Kiev, 22 January 2014.
Riot police groups stand near the frontline barricade on Hrushevskoho street during a calm standoff with anti-government protesters on January 30, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine's Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his cabinet resigned two-days ago following months of protests, while parliament is also scrapping a number of controversial anti-protest laws.
Anti-government protesters stand guard at one of the barricades defending Maidan Square against police and government supporters on December 9, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia was made recently.
Inside the City Hall, protester sleeps while others stand ready to defend the occupied building against Ukrainian police intervention to clear occupied Maidan Square from anti government protesters on December 09, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands have been protesting against the Ukrainian government after President Viktor Yanukovych decided to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia.
A protester watches as others fuel an ablaze barricade with tires during clashes between antigovernment protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street. Kiev, 24 January 2014.
Protesters feed a fire barricade with tires during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street in Kiev. 24 January 2014
Medias awaiting a press conference from opposition leaders in the Trade Unions building that is the headquarters for the protesters, on December 7, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia.
Perched on pile of tires and charred police vehicles, anti-government protesters stand guard on Hrushevskoho street barricades near Maidan Square during standoff with riot police while a truce was agreed, in Kiev, 27 January 2014.
Protesters warm themselves as they stand guard on one of the barricades surrounding Maidan square that is occupied by the protesters. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia. 08 December 2013.
Protesters reinforce barricades around Maidan with bags of snow and ice after the riot police launched an early morning intervention that partially cleared Maidan Square from anti government protesters. Police withdrew later from the square. December 11, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands occupy Maidan Square after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych decided to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia.
Anti-government protesters during standoff with riot police at a barricade made of charred police vehicles on Hrushevskoho street in Kiev, 21 January 2014.
As Ukrainian security forces stormed Independence Square, a large crowd massed in front of the Trade Unions building, which leaders of the demonstration had turned into their headquarters. December 11, 2013. in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia was made recently.
Riot police line up during face off with anti government protesters manning barricades on Hrushevskoho street in Kiev, 21 January 2014.
Anti-governments protesters occupied Maidan square, setting up barricades on December 6, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia.
An anti-government protester distributes pamphlets next to one of the barricades defending Maidan Square against police and government supporters on December 10, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia was made recently.
Violent clashes opposed protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street with barricades and police trucks set on fire in Kiev, 22 January 2014.
Inside the City Hall near Maidan Square, protesters prepare to defend the occupied building while the authorities launched an early morning intervention to evict Maidan Square from anti-government protesters. Cooking oil bottles are disposed around the main stair case to be turned slippery if security forces break in. Later, after partially clearing the square, police riot squads withdraw from the regained ground, on December 11, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands have been protesting against the Ukrainian government after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych decided to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia.
Visiting the city hall where anti-government protesters live and sleep on the floor days and nights to keep occupied the building near Maidan square on December 05, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia. Ukraine.
A charred police truck covered with ice has become part of the protester's barricade on January 31, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. While Ukrainian parliament holds an emergency session, standoff continues on Hrushevskoho street between anti-government protesters and riot police.
January 28, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. While Ukrainian parliament holds an emergency session, standoff continues on Hrushevskoho street between anti-government protesters and riot police.
Riot police line up after they charged anti government protesters to later fall back to previous positions as protesters return and set up fire on new barricades in Hrushevskoho street in Kiev, 22 January 2014.
Anti-government protesters chant Ukrainian national anthem in Maidan square on December 6, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. Thousands of people have been protesting against the government since a decision by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to suspend a trade and partnership agreement with the European Union in favor of incentives from Russia.
Government backers from a demonstration of support to the regime stare at protesters watching from behind a police line during a rally on Europe Square, a stone's throw away from Independance Square occupied by anti government protesters, on December 14, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine. The anti-government protests began three weeks ago when Ukrainian President Victor Yanukhovych angered many Ukrainians by refusing to sign an agreement that would strengthen cooperation with the European Union.
Protesters stand on ablaze barricades during clashes between anti government protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street. Kiev, 25 January 2014
A protester taunts the riot police with a chainsaw during clashes between anti-government demonstrators and police on Hrushevskoho street in Kiev. 24 January 2014.
Standoff between anti-government protesters manning barricades and riot police on Hrushevskoho street in Kiev after days of clashes. 28 January 2014.
Violent clashes opposed protesters and riot police on Hrushevskoho street with barricades and police trucks set on fire in Kiev, 22 January 2014.