Ukraine Standoff Amid Deadly Clashes

     

Anti-government protesters are in a tense standoff with riot police on Kyiv's Independence Square after a day of deadly clashes.

Authorities said at least 26 people, including nine policemen, died in the February 18 violence, and hundreds on both sides were wounded, some seriously.

The Interior Ministry said a 10th policeman had died of his wounds. A Ukrainian journalist was also among those killed.

Both police and opposition representatives said many died of gunshot wounds.

'Anti-terrorist' operation

In a further escalation of tensions in Ukraine, the country’s government has announced that it is launching what it calls an “anti-terrorism operation” against “extremist groups.”

Citing instances of “vandals destroying private property and killing peaceful citizens,” the Security Service of Ukraine has issued a statement in which it says that methods used by radical elements in Ukraine have ceased to be “manifestations of terrorism,” but have rather become “real terrorist acts.”

“In many regions of the country, we are seeing the seizure of local government offices, buildings belonging to the Interior Ministry, security services, prosecutors’ offices and armed forces, as well as ammunition depots,” says the statement.
The document claims that in the last 24-hour period alone 1,500 firearms and 100,000 rounds of ammunition have ended up in the hands of “criminals.”

The statement continues that “in view of the above, the Security Service, along with Ukraine’s Anti-terrorism Center, have decided today to launch an anti-terrorist operation on the territory of Ukraine.”

Later in the day, according to Interfax Ukraine, the Security Service issued a clarification saying that, rather than launching an anti-terrorist operation, it has merely begun to prepare for one.

Opposition blames Yanukovych

Meanwhile, the opposition is directly blaming President Viktor Yanukovych for the “killings and terror” that have taken place in Ukraine.

In a YouTube video statement, UDAR Party leader Vitali Klitschko says that “blood is being shed on the streets of Kyiv and that the authorities alone bear responsibility for this.”

Klitschko added that the authorities, "because they have been ignoring the demands of the people and because of their crookedness, have pushed the [Ukrainian] people into a violent conflict."

"Therefore, the people have one main demand today - the resignation of Yanukovych's government. The sooner this happens, the less blood will be shed and the sooner Ukraine can start moving toward a civilized future," said the former world boxing champion boxer-turned politician.

“Only Yanukovych is to be blamed for the killings and terror [perpetrated] against peaceful citizens. And only he has the power to put a stop to it,” said Klitschko.

International pressure

The standoff comes amid pressure from the European Union and the United States  on the Ukraine government to call a truce and hold discussions with the opposition.  The EU plans an emergency meeting Thursday where they are expected to agree on sanctions against those responsible for the violence in Ukraine.

The United States has issued a travel warning for its citizens in Ukraine, warning them to "maintain a low profile" while in the capital and be prepared to remain indoors at night, if necessary to avoid the 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 exercise maximum restraint.  Biden told Yanukovych his government bears "special responsibility" to resolve the crisis.

Standoff

The clashes subsided on February 19 after security forces temporarily halted their overnight assault to regain control of Independence Square, the focus of the three-months-long anti-government protests. Thousands of protesters faced off lines of riot police after a night that saw petrol bombs, stun grenades, and gunfire.

The government said the clashes were an attempt to seize power by force.