17:34
18.2.2014
18:00
18.2.2014
Riot police have begun their move on Independence Square. They appear to be using stun grenades and a water cannon.
18:36
18.2.2014
As clashes continue, here are two good livestreams from Independence Square:
18:59
18.2.2014
The country's largest opposition TV channel is reported down.
19:10
18.2.2014
19:14
18.2.2014
Two different possibilities for tonight:
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2)
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2)
19:27
18.2.2014
20:05
18.2.2014
Rinat Akhmetov, a Donetsk-based businessman, and Ukraine's richest oligarch has issued a statement calling for an end to the bloodshed:
"Peaceful citizens must not suffer in any situation." he says. "This must be the main objective for the government, the opposition and all conflicting parties. Human losses and injuries suffered by protesters and law-enforcers during street clashes is an unacceptable price for political mistakes."
"Peaceful citizens must not suffer in any situation." he says. "This must be the main objective for the government, the opposition and all conflicting parties. Human losses and injuries suffered by protesters and law-enforcers during street clashes is an unacceptable price for political mistakes."
20:06
18.2.2014
Ukrainian authorities say they will block all access into Kyiv beginning at midnight to "ensure the safety of citizens and public order."
"These actions are caused by the need to normalize the situation in the country, to prevent loss of life and damage to property."
Meanwhile, the far-right Pravy Sektor provides a map apparently outlining how to avoid the cordon.
"These actions are caused by the need to normalize the situation in the country, to prevent loss of life and damage to property."
Meanwhile, the far-right Pravy Sektor provides a map apparently outlining how to avoid the cordon.
20:45
18.2.2014
Yanukovych's spokeswoman, Hanna Herman, speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, says there will be no further negotations until the violence stops:
"Negotiations will only take take place when the violent methods stop, when the opposition gets its armed people off the street and when calm comes back to the country. Then it will be necessary to sit at the negotiating table."
"Negotiations will only take take place when the violent methods stop, when the opposition gets its armed people off the street and when calm comes back to the country. Then it will be necessary to sit at the negotiating table."