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                Ukraine Police Storm Kyiv Protest Camp; 21 Dead

   by VOA News

   Fires burned and stun grenades ripped through the center of the
   Ukrainian capital early Wednesday as riot police charged the main
   opposition protest camp after clashes killed at least 21 people,
   including seven police officers.
   Police and opposition representatives said many of the dead were killed
   by gunshots and that hundreds more were injured, with dozens in serious
   condition.
   Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych addressed the nation Wednesday,
   and said activists who urged others protesters to bring weapons to the
   anti-government demonstration in central Kyiv have disregarded the
   principles of democracy and must face legal repercussions.

   Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko urged the pro-Western
   demonstrators occupying Kyiv's Independence Square - also known as
   Maidan - to defend their positions.  He warned women and children to
   leave the area.

   Later, Klitschko met with President Viktor Yanukovych for talks, but
   the meeting failed to produce a breakthrough.  Klitschko said the
   president demanded protesters "stop the standoff" and unconditionally
   clear the square.

   He told the Ukrainska Pravda website that he brings "nothing good from
   the talks."

   Yanukovych's advisers told reporters the president will address the
   nation after meeting with the opposition on Wednesday.  The exact time
   for the address has not been announced.
   Watch video of Tuesday's clashes:
   ''U.S. Vice President Joe Biden phoned Yanukovych late Tuesday to
   express "grave concern" about the violence, calling on the Ukrainian
   president to pull back security forces and to exercise maximum
   restraint.

   Biden told Yanukovych his government bears "special responsibility" to
   resolve the crisis.

   Anti-government protests have been building for weeks, with activists
   calling for Yanukovych's ouster after he backed away from a trade deal
   with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.

   Protesters, some armed with clubs and wearing helmets and body armor,
   attempted to stand their ground in central Kyiv, hurling firebombs and
   stones at police as plumes of smoke billowed from burning tents and
   piles of tires and wood.

   Security forces have been steadily gaining ground in the square, where
   thousands of protesters still remained, hearing speeches from their
   leaders and singing the national anthem.
   Live stream from Kyiv's Independence Square by RadioSvoboda.org:

   IFRAME: [1]//www.youtube.com/embed/ObBHW8XQvUQ

   Police confirmed the unrest has spread outside Kyiv to a number of
   regions in western Ukraine that support closer ties to the European
   Union.  In Lviv, anti-government demonstrators seized the regional
   administration building and police headquarters.

   In Moscow, authorities blamed the violence on Western governments,
   accusing them of encouraging "radical forces" among the protesters.

   Russia said Monday it would release an additional $2 billion to Ukraine
   to support its moribund economy, a move seen as strengthening President
   Yanukovych's bid to remain in power.  The money is part of a $15
   billion loan promised by Russia.

   European Union and U.S. officials have repeatedly said they are working
   with the International Monetary Fund on details of an aid package that
   analysts have described as rivaling or exceeding the Russian bailout
   deal.  No concrete offers have been made public.
   Check out our Ukraine Storify feed:

   IFRAME: [2]//storify.com/voa_news/ukraine-unrest/embed

   [[3]View the story "Ukraine Unrest" on Storify]
     __________________________________________________________________

   [4]http://www.voanews.com/content/protesters-police-clash-again-in-kyiv
   /1853605.html

References

   1. file://www.youtube.com/embed/ObBHW8XQvUQ
   2. file://storify.com/voa_news/ukraine-unrest/embed
   3. file://storify.com/voa_news/ukraine-unrest
   4. http://www.voanews.com/content/protesters-police-clash-again-in-kyiv/1853605.html