Photo Gallery Ukrainian Winter
Protests have been escalating in Ukraine for weeks, leading to the first deaths a few days ago. While demonstrators would like the country to steer a more pro-European course, right-wing radicals are likewise attempting to use the conflict for their own ends. Here, an Orthodox priest prays between police and protesters.
Despite the bitter cold, demonstrators have been turning up on Kiev's Maidan Square and elsewhere -- such as here, near Dynamo Stadium -- every afternoon.
Violence has been escalating in recent weeks, with last weeks seeing the first three deaths. The funeral of Mykhailo Zhyznevsky, an anti-government protester, was held on Sunday.
While demonstrators would like the country to steer a more pro-European course, right-wing radicals are likewise attempting to use the conflict for their own ends.
Violence is escalating and the regime of President Yanukovich seems powerless to do anything about it. On the contrary: His government pushed through a package of laws recently severely limiting the right to demonstrate.
Former professional boxer Vitali Klitschko is another of the opposition leaders involved in the protests. He has played down the right-wing stance of the Svoboda party, saying: "We have different ideologies, but two things connect us. We are fighting against those in power today and we want European values for our country."
Right-wing parliamentarian Myroshnychenko says that Ukraine is heading for a civil war. His party is likely one reason that the protests have not disintegrated.
Ukrainian President Yanukovich met with opposition leaders last week, but initial indications were that nothing came out of the meeting.
Orthodox priests praying between protesters and riot police last Friday. There is no end to the unrest in sight.
