PHOTOJOURNALIST

The Barricade: Kyiv's deadly protests

In late 2013, protesters in Kiev descended upon Independence Square, also known as Maidan, to voice disapproval against the government’s latest decision. After years of negotiation and promises their government, under President Viktor Yanukovych, at the last moment failed to sign a major trade agreement with the EU. The square fast became an iconic site of protest. Students were the first to arrive. These were the Ukrainians with the most to lose. Young people who unreflectively see themselves as europeans and who wished for themselves a life in a country close to the european model. Many were politically minded, some of them radically so. When the riot police came and beat them, a group of Afghan veterans also came to Maidan. These middle aged men, former soldiers of the Red Army, came to protect “their children”, the best of the youth, the pride and future of the country. After the veterans, thousands of others joined in but now not so much in favour of a future in Europe but in defence of decency and demanding change. The protesters represented every group of the society: Russian and Ukrainian speakers, people from cities and countryside, people from all parts of the country, members of all political parties, the young and the old, Christians, Muslims and Jews. The diversity was impressive. By mid January, the government tried to put an end to Ukraine’s civil society by passing a series of laws without following normal procedures and removing the few remaining checks on executive authority. For people on the streets, this was an attempt to create a dictatorship and turn all participants in Maidan into criminals. The result was that the protests until then mostly peaceful, became violent. Yanukovych started losing support even in his political base in the southeast. In the barricades erected around the square, piles of tires would now burn 24 hours a day. The high columns of flames and smoke filled the skies at night in a quasi-apocalyptic scene tinted by a dramatic orange glow. A visual spectacle complemented by frozen icicles formed by police water cannons. After weeks of responding peacefully to arrests and beatings by the riot police many Ukrainians had had enough. A fraction of the protesters decided to fight back and tensions reached a high point on February 20th. A day to be remembered as the most violent in Kiev’s recent history. The square was in flames with protesters and riot police standing off over the future of the country. Protests were ongoing for more than two months now but events were about to come to a head. In the early hours of that morning some protesters armed with nothing more than clubs and metal shields advanced towards the police in direction to the parliament. Retreating security forces and unknown snipers from surrounding buildings started shooting and by the end of the day more than 50 people were killed. The heaviest death toll in clashes between protesters and security forces. Next day Yanukovych fled Ukraine.

January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A protestor, evolved in smoke, shouts provocative words towards the Ukrainian riot police forces at a defensive barricade near Dynamo Kiev's stadium in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A protestor, evolved in smoke, shouts provocative words towards the Ukrainian riot police forces at a defensive barricade near Dynamo Kiev's stadium in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A anti-government protestor uses a homemade shield to protect himself from the riot police water canons at a barricade outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium, near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A anti-government protestor uses a homemade shield to protect himself from the riot police water canons at a barricade outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium, near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors take cover behind newly build barricades at the frontline where violent clashes were happening between protestors and riot police outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors take cover behind newly build barricades at the frontline where violent clashes were happening between protestors and riot police outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev.
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev.
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Ukrainian protesters laid siege to Ukrainian House international convention center, a Soviet-era building in central Kiev, used as a base by the security forces, who remained holed up inside.

Some two thousand stick-wielding protesters clad in helmets threw Molotov cocktails and smashed in windows of the Ukrainian House, climbing over sandbags into the building. The security forces protected themselves with riot shields as well as by hurling stun grenades and attempting to douse the protesters with jets of water.

The protesters later in the night formed a corridor on the steps of the building to allow the security forces to leave. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Ukrainian protesters laid siege to Ukrainian House international convention center, a Soviet-era building in central Kiev, used as a base by the security forces, who remained holed up inside.

Some two thousand stick-wielding protesters clad in helmets threw Molotov cocktails and smashed in windows of the Ukrainian House, climbing over sandbags into the building. The security forces protected themselves with riot shields as well as by hurling stun grenades and attempting to douse the protesters with jets of water.

The protesters later in the night formed a corridor on the steps of the building to allow the security forces to leave. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 27, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A Ukrainian anti-government protestor eats a warm meal while standing guard to a barricade, as demonstrations continue in Kiev’s Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 27, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A Ukrainian anti-government protestor eats a warm meal while standing guard to a barricade, as demonstrations continue in Kiev’s Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
December 18, 2013 - Kiev, Ukraine: Pro-EU demonstrators get food donated inside the occupied City Hall.On the night of 21 November 2013, a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest began in Ukraine, when spontaneous protests erupted in the capital of Kiev as a response to the government’s suspension of the preparations for signing an association and free trade agreement with the European Union. Anti-government protesters occupied Independence Square, also known as Maidan, demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych and accusing him of refusing the planned trade and political pact with the EU in favor of closer ties with Russia.After a days of demonstrations, an increasing number of people joined the protests. As a responses to a police crackdown on November 30, half a million people took the square. The protests are ongoing despite a heavy police presence in the city, regular sub-zero temperatures, and snow. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
December 18, 2013 - Kiev, Ukraine: Pro-EU demonstrators get food donated inside the occupied City Hall.On the night of 21 November 2013, a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest began in Ukraine, when spontaneous protests erupted in the capital of Kiev as a response to the government’s suspension of the preparations for signing an association and free trade agreement with the European Union. Anti-government protesters occupied Independence Square, also known as Maidan, demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych and accusing him of refusing the planned trade and political pact with the EU in favor of closer ties with Russia.After a days of demonstrations, an increasing number of people joined the protests. As a responses to a police crackdown on November 30, half a million people took the square. The protests are ongoing despite a heavy police presence in the city, regular sub-zero temperatures, and snow. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors pray as demonstrations continue outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors pray as demonstrations continue outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A anti-government protestor takes a rest at the occupied Ukraine House, hours after violent confrontations with the riot police. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A anti-government protestor takes a rest at the occupied Ukraine House, hours after violent confrontations with the riot police. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors gather burned debris to fill in bags to be used in the formation of barricades, as violent clashes happen between protestors and police outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors gather burned debris to fill in bags to be used in the formation of barricades, as violent clashes happen between protestors and police outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 23, 2014: Members of Maidan's defence unit take guard at one of the many checkpoints outside Kiev's Independence Square. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 23, 2014: Members of Maidan's defence unit take guard at one of the many checkpoints outside Kiev's Independence Square. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors carry scrap metal to be used in new defensive barricades, as violent clashes between protestors and riot police happen outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors carry scrap metal to be used in new defensive barricades, as violent clashes between protestors and riot police happen outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: An Orthodox priest blesses the bodies of anti-government protestors shot dead during an advance on police lines outside the Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: An Orthodox priest blesses the bodies of anti-government protestors shot dead during an advance on police lines outside the Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors advance on police lines in the early hours of the day. The riot police responded with sniper fire causing at least 25 casualties with shots to the head. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors advance on police lines in the early hours of the day. The riot police responded with sniper fire causing at least 25 casualties with shots to the head. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: People check the bodies of anti-government protestors shot dead during an advance on police lines outside the Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: People check the bodies of anti-government protestors shot dead during an advance on police lines outside the Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 24, 2014: Thousands descend on Kiev's Independence Square to pay respect for the anti-government protestors killed days before, during clashes with the riot police. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 24, 2014: Thousands descend on Kiev's Independence Square to pay respect for the anti-government protestors killed days before, during clashes with the riot police. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Thousands in Kiev mourn a protester shot dead during clashes with the Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, early in the week.An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael's Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Thousands in Kiev mourn a protester shot dead during clashes with the Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, early in the week.An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael's Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Thousands in Kiev mourn a protester shot dead during clashes with the Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, early in the week.An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael's Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Thousands in Kiev mourn a protester shot dead during clashes with the Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, early in the week.An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael's Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Thousands in Kiev mourn a protester shot dead during clashes with the Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, early in the week.An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael's Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Thousands in Kiev mourn a protester shot dead during clashes with the Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, early in the week.An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael's Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 22, 2014: Funeral procession of anti-government protestors killed two days ago during clashes with riot police in central Kiev. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 22, 2014: Funeral procession of anti-government protestors killed two days ago during clashes with riot police in central Kiev. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 25, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors prepare petrol bombs near a barricade in Maidan, hours after violent clashes between protestors and riot police happened outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: Anti-government protestors prepare petrol bombs near a barricade in Maidan, hours after violent clashes between protestors and riot police happened outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev.
January 26, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors continue to demonstrate outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square in central Kiev.
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Protestors stand guard near a defensive barricade near Dynamo Kiev's stadium in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Protestors stand guard near a defensive barricade near Dynamo Kiev's stadium in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 24, 2014: Anti-government protestors try to storm the parliament building in central Kiev, moments after the proposal for release of political prisoners was rejected by majority vote in a parliamentary session. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 24, 2014: Anti-government protestors try to storm the parliament building in central Kiev, moments after the proposal for release of political prisoners was rejected by majority vote in a parliamentary session. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors attack the Ukrainian riot police, outside the Dynamo Kiev stadium near the Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: An anti-government protestors takes cover behind newly build barricades at the frontline where violent clashes were happening between protestors and riot police outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
KIEV, UKRAINE - February 20, 2014: An anti-government protestors takes cover behind newly build barricades at the frontline where violent clashes were happening between protestors and riot police outside Independence Square in central Kiev. The riot police responded to the advance with gunfire that, according to the opposition, killed at least 70 and as many as 100 people. The drastic escalation of the three-month-old Ukraine crisis left the country reeling from the most lethal violence in decades. CREDIT: Paulo Nunes dos Santos
January 29, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors play football outside Kiev's Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 29, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Anti-government protestors play football outside Kiev's Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 29, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A christmas tree is seen between tents used by anti-government protestors in Kiev's Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 29, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: A christmas tree is seen between tents used by anti-government protestors in Kiev's Independence Square. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Ukrainian riot police hold a defensive line as protestors advance to a street that gives access to government buildings, near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Ukrainian riot police hold a defensive line as protestors advance to a street that gives access to government buildings, near the Independence Square in central Kiev. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Protestors stand guard near a defensive barricade near Dynamo Kiev's stadium in central Kiev, as temperatures drop to minus 15 degrees celsius. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
January 24, 2014 - Kiev, Ukraine: Protestors stand guard near a defensive barricade near Dynamo Kiev's stadium in central Kiev, as temperatures drop to minus 15 degrees celsius. (Paulo Nunes dos Santos)
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