Thursday, February 20, 2014

UPDATE: At least 70 dead in Kiev

On Thursday morning, a truce called by Yanukovych and opposition leaders fell apart as government snipers fired at protesters, who hurled Molotov cocktails and rocks at lines of police in response.
Video footage on Ukrainian television showed shocking scenes of protesters being cut down by gunfire, lying on the pavement as comrades rushed to their aid. Trying to protect themselves with shields, teams of protesters carried bodies away on sheets of plastic or on planks of wood.
Thursday’s clashes brought this week’s death toll to at least 59 (70 just today) in Kiev, with hundreds injured. Protesters dispute those numbers though, claiming that the true toll is much higher.