Ukraine truce collapses: Fresh clashes kill 28
Thursday, 20 February 2014
At least 28 protesters are reported killed in Kiev as talks between EU foreign ministers and the Ukrainian president get under way. Violent skirmishes broke out after 8 a.m. on Independence Square, the epicenter of the demonstrations. At least 17 people killed, including a policeman. Parliament was evacuated and European foreign ministers switched the location of a meeting with Yanukovych on security concerns. Reeling from the deadliest clashes of the three-month standoff, the Russian-backed leader’s security service started a nationwide anti-terrorism operation to restore order and protect borders. The government and the opposition planned to continue talks to stop the bloodshed today after the president granted sweeping powers to the army and police. A sniper killed protesters on the square, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper reported on its website. The Interior Ministry accused a sniper in the tent camp of wounding 20 police offices with gunfire. Dozens of officers from Berkut special police units were captured by demonstrators, according to live footage.