20:00
22.1.2014
Earlier this evening the opposition announced the formation of an alternative government body they're calling the "People's Council." The Council said that it would provide safety to police officers who "refuse to comply with criminal orders and instead switch to the side of the Ukrainian people." They gave similar guarantees to the Yanukovych-backed Party of Regions.
20:20
22.1.2014
Vitali Klitschko, leader of the opposition Udar party, has called for a nationwide strike to begin at 12:00 PM tomorrow. He says this will serve as a warning before the opposition's second meeting with President Yanukovych that the protesters are serious about their demands.
20:36
22.1.2014
One of the many incredible images to appear out of Kyiv today.
21:32
22.1.2014
More on Yuriy Verbitskiy, who was found dead in a forrest earlier today, and who is said to have been tortured. The authorities have begun a murder investigation. According to the activist's niece, only Verbitskiy's brother recognized him in the morgue
His fellow activist, Ihor Lutsenko, reported on Facebook yesterday that ten men had abducted them from a hospital and brought them to a forrest, where they were separated. He said the abductors carried out a mock execution, and that he’d “said goodbye” to his life at least three times before they abandoned him. He described the experience as “very hard, morally and physically."
His fellow activist, Ihor Lutsenko, reported on Facebook yesterday that ten men had abducted them from a hospital and brought them to a forrest, where they were separated. He said the abductors carried out a mock execution, and that he’d “said goodbye” to his life at least three times before they abandoned him. He described the experience as “very hard, morally and physically."
21:43
22.1.2014
According to "Ukrainska Pravda," three students were put under house arrest for "sewing unrest." More than 70 protesters have been detained today according to the Interior Ministry, with dozens being held under a new law passed last week that can carry up to a 15 year prison sentence.
22:27
22.1.2014
Via our Ukrainian Service:
Ukraine's Institute for Mass Information reports that at least 42 journalists have been injured in clashes on Hrushevskoho street over the past three days.
Ukraine's Institute for Mass Information reports that at least 42 journalists have been injured in clashes on Hrushevskoho street over the past three days.
23:10
22.1.2014
Arsen Klinchayev, Party of Regions Regional Council Deputy from Lugansk, says he does not regret the killing of demonstrators today.
"These people work against the government," he said. "Noone has the right to use force against police. They have used sticks, stones and other things. The police have the right to defend their lives and because of that I think it was right that four people were killed."
He said authorities should take even stronger action tomorrow.
The deputy had shown up unannounced at a demonstration to commemorate protesters who had reportedly died in Kyiv earlier in the day. RFE/RL can currently only confirm three deaths, although an opposition medic has said five people have been killed.
Video via our Ukrainian Service.
"These people work against the government," he said. "Noone has the right to use force against police. They have used sticks, stones and other things. The police have the right to defend their lives and because of that I think it was right that four people were killed."
He said authorities should take even stronger action tomorrow.
The deputy had shown up unannounced at a demonstration to commemorate protesters who had reportedly died in Kyiv earlier in the day. RFE/RL can currently only confirm three deaths, although an opposition medic has said five people have been killed.
Video via our Ukrainian Service.
23:41
22.1.2014
Via our Ukrainian Service, video of Garik Nigoyan, the father of Serhiy Nigoyan, who was shot dead early on January 22.
"From the first day we were strongly against him [participating in the protests], but he didn't listen," says Nigoyan.
He adds that his son may have refused to listen because he was depressed and was having relationship problems.
"From the first day we were strongly against him [participating in the protests], but he didn't listen," says Nigoyan.
He adds that his son may have refused to listen because he was depressed and was having relationship problems.
00:18
23.1.2014
Almost 20 hours after police tried to break through the barricades, this is the scene.
00:50
23.1.2014
Several people have posted photos on Twitter showing apparent government supporters surrounding the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. There has been no statement from the Embassy, but the U.S. Ambassador, Geoffrey Pyatt, retweeted the photo below.