Special forces begin crackdown on Ukraine protestors

Series Title
Series Details 22.01.14
Publication Date 22/01/2014
Content Type

Special 'Berkut' forces began a crackdown on Kyiv's EuroMaidan square in the morning of the 22 January 2014, according to reports, with the first victim confirmed.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on the day before that the country would draw on new anti-protest laws rushed through the previous week to use force against demonstrators in the capital. According to Euronews, injured activists were ‘disappearing’ from Kyiv hospitals.

President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, issued a statement in which he deplored the use of force and violence, and called on all sides to immediately refrain from it, and start taking steps that would help de-escalate the situation.

The EU Commissioner Stefan Fuele was scheduled a visit to Kiev on the 24 January 2014.

In a statement issued on the 22 January 2014 Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, said 'I strongly condemn the violent escalation of events in Kyiv overnight leading to casualties. The reported deaths of several protesters is a source of extreme worry and my sympathy goes to all those affected'.

According to EUObserver, the US has imposed sanctions on Ukrainian officials deemed guilty of ordering violence against pro-EU protesters.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/power-ukraine-cracks-euromaidan-news-532928
Related Links
EEAS: Press Release, 22.01.14: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on violence and reported deaths of protesters in Kyiv http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140122_01_en.pdf
ESO: Background information: Ukraine's President Yanukovych in talks pledge after clashes http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraines-president-yanukovych-in-talks-pledge-after-clashes/
EUObserver, 22.01.14: Protester shot dead in Ukraine http://euobserver.com/foreign/122824
EUObserver, 21.01.14: EU commissioner to visit Kiev amid unrest http://euobserver.com/foreign/122810
ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-ukraine/
RIA Novosti, 22.01.14: Ukrainian Opposition Claims First Deaths Among Protesters http://en.ria.ru/world/20140122/186797588/Ukrainian-Opposition-Claims-First-Deaths-Among-Protesters.html
Kyiv Post: Tag: EuroMaidan http://www.kyivpost.com/hot/euromaidan/
BBC News, 22.01.14: Ukraine police storm Kiev protest barricades http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25838962
EUObserver, 22.01.14: US imposes Ukraine sanctions, EU voices 'worry' http://euobserver.com/foreign/122829
The New York Times, 21.01.14: Ukraine’s Opposition Says Government Stirs Violence http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/22/world/europe/ukraine-protests.html
The Guardian, 21.01.14: Russian minister accuses European politicians of stoking Ukraine crisis http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/21/russian-minister-european-politicians-ukraine-crisis
Euronews, 21.01.14: Stand-off between riot police and protesters in Kyiv as President Yanukovich appeals for calm http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/21/stand-off-between-riot-police-and-protesters-in-kyiv-as-president-yanukovich-/
BBC News, 21.01.14: Ukraine unrest: No end in sight to 'medieval' protests http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25825929
The Guardian, 21.01.14: Text messages warn Ukraine protesters they are 'participants in mass riot' http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/21/ukraine-unrest-text-messages-protesters-mass-riot
Euronews, 21.01.14: Tension in Ukraine as anti-protest law due to take effect http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/21/tension-in-ukraine-as-anti-protest-law-due-to-take-effect/
Euronews, 21.01.14: Injured Ukraine activists ‘disappearing’ from Kyiv hospitals http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/21/injured-ukraine-activists-disappearing-from-kyiv-hospitals/
Deutsche Welle, 22.01.14: Ukraine Prime Minister Azarov warns authorities could use force against protesters http://dw.de/p/1Av3b
BBC News, 22.01.14: Ukraine PM Mykola Azarov warns of force to end protests http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25838682
Deutsche Welle, 22.01.14: Three killed as Ukraine police raid Kyiv protest camp http://dw.de/p/1Av5c
Euronews, 22.01.14: One man dead in wake of latest Kiev clashes between police and protesters http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/22/one-man-dead-in-wake-of-latest-kiev-clashes-between-police-and-protesters/
The Guardian, 22.01.14: Two reported dead in Ukraine protests http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/22/two-reported-dead-ukraine-protests-kiev
The New York Times, 22.01.14: 3 Die in Renewed Protests in Ukraine http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/23/world/europe/ukraine-protests.html
European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/14/49: Statement of the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, on recent events in Ukraine http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-49_en.pdf
EurActiv, 22.01.14: Barroso threatens Ukraine rulers with sanctions http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/barroso-threatens-ukraine-rulers-news-532943
Deutsche Welle, 22.01.14: What Ukrainians had to say about the situation in Kyiv http://dw.de/p/1AvMf
Deutsche Welle, 22.01.14: Attack and counter-attack in Kyiv http://dw.de/p/1AvPt
The Guardian, 22.01.14: Kiev becomes a battle zone as Ukraine protests turn fatal http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/22/ukraine-opposition-leaders-meet-president-protests-fatal
Deutsche Welle, 22.01.14: Ukraine can't be left on its own http://dw.de/p/1AvTo
Euronews, 22.01.14: EU hints at Ukraine sanctions http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/22/eu-hints-at-ukraine-sanctions/

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