Events in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev have moved rapidly over the past week or so. Not surprisingly, Twitter and other social channels have often been the most up-to-date sources of information on the unfolding conflict.
In a nutshell, the tension there revolves around President Viktor Yanukovych's abrupt decision to reject a broad free-trade agreement with the European Union, which much of the Ukrainian public seems to favor, and instead focus his economic attention toward Moscow. Many of the protesters are demanding the removal of Yanokovych and the reinstatement of the EU trade pact.
See also: 20 Incredible Images of Massive Protests in Ukraine
For useful updates, here are some sources we have been following.
Protesters ready for police action at #Kyiv city hall - PHOTOS by @KyivPost's Pavlo Podufalov http://t.co/ClmETtwBBx pic.twitter.com/KM3urLLK0a
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) December 9, 2013
Fearless @KyivPost / @KyivPost_photo photographer @sia_vlasova hard at work (Photo by another KP-er Pavlo Podufalov) pic.twitter.com/i2OKXWCqNp
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) December 9, 2013
Guarding barricades around Independence Square. pic.twitter.com/5qWyeeRB5Z
— David M. Herszenhorn (@herszenhorn) December 9, 2013
Reports that Berkut are storming @Batkivshchyna offices in Podol, damaged servers, won't let people out #euromaidan
— max seddon (@maxseddon) December 9, 2013
Standoff here. 3 police advanced toward barricades... To use protesters' toilets #euromaidan
— James Marson (@marson_jr) December 9, 2013
A girl treats riot police officers with candies during the mass protests in #Kyiv #Kiev #Ukraine #euromaidan pic.twitter.com/vptKlthTbW
— Anastasia Vlasova (@sia_vlasova) December 8, 2013
#Ukraine:That's a column of Berkut (brutal SF) behind police line. Looks like they're gearing up to clear this camp. pic.twitter.com/bEAP7rITXr
— Maxim Tucker (@MaxRTucker) December 9, 2013
на майдане снег и ожидание штурма pic.twitter.com/owx7GcPH6B
— Feldman (@EvgenyFeldman) December 9, 2013
More of his photos can be found here.
#Euromaidan vs govt troops. Wall-to-Wall right now in downtown #Kyiv pic.twitter.com/0lDsMNndpw
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) December 9, 2013
In addition, several people have been producing live stream video at various points in the conflict. We've been watching this one today, via USTREAM.
Image: SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images