KIEV, UKRAINE — After the bloodiest day in Ukraine's two-month-old uprising, protesters are gearing up for a long and potentially brutal fight with riot police. They packed bags full of fresh snow in front of barricades on Independence Square and duct taped thick magazines and pieces of plastics to their shins and forearms.
At least two protesters were shot and killed early Wednesday. A third reportedly fell to his death from atop a colonnade after police beat him with truncheons.
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Protesters at the scene told Mashable they saw a sniper fire the shots from a nearby rooftop. One of the men took a bullet to the heart, according to Oleg Musiy, a medical services coordinator for the protest movement. The other man was shot in the head and neck up to four times, he said. It’s unclear whether the bullets were rubber or metal. However, Musiy said “it is impossible” for those wounds to have been caused by rubber bullets.
#Ukraine update 2: BBC reporter’s photo of police dragging way body of killed protester. http://t.co/eAnG8yLfs4 pic.twitter.com/MuhmKDtUjF
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 22, 2014
The government on Wednesday ordered the closure of businesses in central Kiev and sanctioned the use of new gas and weapons against protesters.
The violence kicked off just before sunrise when masked protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at police, who, in turn, heaved flash grenades and tear gas at protesters and fired rubber bullets indiscriminately into a crowd of about 300.
Opposition politicians and civil society leaders immediately called for a general mobilization. Within an hour, thousands of protesters took to the city’s central streets. At least 1,000 came up against riot police near the cabinet building before police forcibly drove them back to Independence Square, the epicenter of the "Euromaidan" protests, as they are called.
For the next several hours, police and protesters pushed each other up and down Hrushevskoho Street. Several dozen men burned tires in the roadway to block the visibility of police forces. For much of the afternoon thick, black smoke filled the area, accompanied by bursts of shotgun fire from police.
Violence between the two groups has escalated in recent days, but Wednesday's events were no doubt the most violent and worrisome since protests began in November.
The country's three largest political opposition parties, Arseniy Yatseniuk's Batkivshchyna Party, Vitali Klitschko's Ukrainian Democratic Alliance For Reform and Oleh Tiahnybok's Svoboda Party, expressed outrage over the fatal shootings of the two demonstrators.
"Four gunshot wounds to the head and neck in one of the dead is not self-defense [by police] who deliberately shot civilians. The direct responsibility for this act of terror against the citizens of dictatorship lies heavily on the interior minister — the bloody killer Vitaliy Zakharchenko," the three opposition parties said in a joint statement.
Ukrainian officials denied their involvement in the protesters' deaths. In a speech to his cabinet, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov took a hard line against the protests, according to Reuters, and seemed to suggest a further crackdown.
“Terrorists from the 'Maidan' seized dozens of people and beat them,” he said. “I am officially stating that these are criminals who must answer for their action."
The United States began targeted sanctions in the form revoked visas of top Ukrainian officials they believe ordered police violence against protesters in November and December.
Because of U.S. confidentiality laws, the names of the officials who had their visas revoked would not be released publicly.
A protester throws a burning bottle during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine on Jan. 20, 2014. After a night of vicious streets battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed anew Monday in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades and police responded with tear gas.
Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades in central Kiev with the sound of stun grenades heard in the freezing air as police try to quell anti-government street protests.
Protesters attack a riot police bus in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.
Protesters clash with riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.
Protesters burn car tires as they clash with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.
Protesters scream during a clash with riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.
An elderly protestor prepares to throw a stone, during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles and other materials in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades were heard in the freezing air as police tried to quell anti-government street protests.
A protester stands on top of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.
Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles and other materials in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades can be heard in the freezing air as police try to quell anti-government street protests.
Pro-European Union activists stand in front of a barricade of their tent camp to protect it in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. About seventy people who oppose demonstrators in Kiev came to the protester's tent camp to destroy it. Ukraine’s president on Friday ignored sharp Western criticism and approved controversial anti-protest legislation aimed at quashing massive anti-government demonstrations which have rocked Kiev for nearly two months.
A pro-European Union activist stands in front of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A riot policeman picks up a stone while in front of him a police riot shield burns from a thrown petrol bomb in the main square of Ukraine's capital Kiev Monday Jan. 20 2014 as police and protesters clashed violently for a second day.
Riot police officers clash with anti-government protesters in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester runs during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic's political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.
Orthodox priests pray as they stand between pro-European Union activists and police lines in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester swings a baton towards a burning police bus, in front of him, during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic?s political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.
Protesters clad in improvised protective gear prepare for a clash with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. After a night of vicious streets battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed anew Monday in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and police responded with tear gas.
Pro-European Union activists restore barricades after night clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester throws a burning flare during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic's political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.
Seen through a vehicle torched by protesters overnight, police officers block a street during unrest in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades pierced the freezing air, after a night of rioting.
Protesters assist a wounded comrade, in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail during unrest in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. After a night of vicious streets battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed anew Monday in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades and police responded with tear gas.
A pro-European Union activist speaks to police officers as they block a street in central Kiev, Ukraine,Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester sprays fire in the direction of the riot police during clashes in the centre of Kiev on January 20, 2014. EU foreign ministers on January 20 deplored violent protests in Kiev, saying the government was at fault for passing a package of repressive laws in an effort to tame pro-EU demonstrations. In Kiev on January 20, protesters were locked in a tense stand-off with security forces after hours of unprecedented clashes deep into the night left dozens wounded and parts of the city centre resembling a battlefield.
Protesters wearing headbands reading "Help" shout slogans during an action entitled "Impose sanctions - stop the violence" in front of the European Union delegation in Ukraine in Kiev of January 20, 2014. Participants of the rally urged the European Union to immediately impose personal sanctions for those responsible for the use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists, as well as involved in the adoption of unconstitutional laws in Ukraine that violate fundamental human rights. Radical opposition protesters on January 20 battled Ukrainian police in new clashes after bloody fighting the day earlier wounded more than 200 people amid mounting fury over draconian new anti-protest laws.
Protesters clash with police in central Kiev on January 20, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday warned the bloody clashes between protesters and police threatened all of Ukraine as new fighting rocked the capital Kiev. The 63-year-old leader stressed that he had previously allowed protests against his decision to ditch a key pact with the EU to take place, but now his patience might be running out.
A protester smokes at the barricade in front of armour-clad security forces blocking access to the Verkhovna Rada parliament in Kiev on January 21, 2014 during clashing break of the opposition and the police. Russia on Tuesday warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev.
A woman takes a picture with a tablet of another demonstrator in front of the background of burned out police trucks after violent clashes in central Kiev on January 21, 2014. A new set of laws, which ban nearly all forms of protest in the ex-Soviet country and have enraged demonstrators, were officially published in the newspaper of the Ukranian parliament after a warning from President Viktor Yanukovych that the violence threatened the entire country.
A protester wrapped in Ukrainian flag walks between wreckages of a burnt trucks after violent clashes in central Kiev on January 21, 2014. A new set of laws, which ban nearly all forms of protest in the ex-Soviet country and have enraged demonstrators, were officially published in the newspaper of the Ukranian parliament after a warning from President Viktor Yanukovych that the violence threatened the entire country.
Protesters reinforce their barricade in Kiev on January 21, 2014 during clashing break of the opposition and the police. Russia on Tuesday warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev.
Christopher J. Miller is an editor at English-language newspaper the Kyiv Post in Ukraine.