KYIV, Ukraine — Thousands of police armed with stun grenades and water cannons have clashed with anti-government protesters in the centre of Ukraine’s capital, and police say at least 13 people have been killed.
Moving into Independence Square, which has been the centre of nearly three months of protests, police on Tuesday dismantled some of the barricades and many of the protesters’ tents were set on fire.
But the 20,000 demonstrators fought back, armed with rocks, bats and fire bombs, and singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
Police said six officers were killed in the clashes, and Olha Bilyk, spokeswoman for the Kyiv city police, told The Associated Press that seven civilians died, including three who were shot.