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Protesters clash with riot policemen outside the Ukrainian President's office in Kyiv.
Protesters clash with riot policemen outside the Ukrainian President's office in Kyiv.

Live Blog: Protests In Ukraine

Opposition leaders have called for massive protests and a general strike to challenge Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's decision not to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union.

Wednesday -- Barring major events, we will be providing more limited updates on the live blog today.

Long term protest strategy appears to be setting in. Protesters marching to various government buildings, including the central bank and the prosecutor general's office. In Independence Square, meanwhile, the barricades are continuing to grow and thousands still remain.

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Tuesday wrap-up (final post for the evening)

-- Early in the day, the Ukrainian parliament voted against holding a vote of no confidence in the government. They needed 226 votes, but only came up with 186.

-- Angry crowds chanted "shame" outside the parliament. By late afternoon, Independence Square had swelled to at least 10,000 protesters again and the leaders of the three main opposition parties led a crowd of thousands to the presidential administration building. Most, including the opposition leaders returned to Independence Square.

-- Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov, who survived a potential no-confidence vote this morning, apologized for violence against protesters, but also harshly condemned the continuing demonstrations and the occupation of government buildings. He said the actions are "unconstitutional" and "illegal."

-- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has arrived in China to begin a three day visit, which will be followed by a trip to Russia. Still, he has promised he remains committed to EU integration.

-- Until late November, Yanukovych had said he intended to sign a pact with Europe, but backed out after pressure from Moscow. He also refused to allow former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to leave prison for medical care in Germany -- a key European demand.

-- The encampment in Independence Square remains, with barricades meant to protect it from riot police continuing to grow and crowds of protesters camping out overnight. The city administration building and the trade union building are still occupied.

Glenn Kates

09:28 1.12.2013
Some protesters are coming with protective-wear, apparently to prepare for attempts by riot police to break up the demonstrations. According to the Twitter feed of Donetsk News, an Internet news portal based in Donetsk, these demonstrators are "training on repelling an attack" from police.

09:38 1.12.2013
"Thousands" are reportedly gathered a half hour before the official start time of the protests (12 PM Kyiv).

09:44 1.12.2013
Ilya Varlamov, a Russian blogger known for his birds-eye shots of rallies in Moscow, is in Kyiv today.

09:53 1.12.2013
10:08 1.12.2013
While today's Kyiv rally is taking place in downtown Shevchenko Park, according to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, about 300 protesters are holding fort in Mikhailovska Square. An encampment formed there yesterday after riot police broke up the one in Independence Square.
10:23 1.12.2013
On our Ukrainian Service's live blog.

"Activists walking from Mikhailovsky Square with a huge Ukrainian flag, chanting, 'Down with the Gang.'"


10:33 1.12.2013
More fallout from the violence in Independence Square. The Kyiv police chief, Valery Koryak, has submitted a letter of resignation (we cannot yet confirm that this has been accepted). Earlier, the Interior Ministry temporarily suspended him. Koryak has denied that he issued an order to break up the encampment.
10:44 1.12.2013
Ukrainian Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko has issued an apology for "excessive use of force," according to Interfax-Ukraine.

"I would like to personally apologize for my colleagues for the excessive use of force against participants in the actions on Independence Square," he said. He added that the actions were not ordered by the Interior Ministry.
10:52 1.12.2013
10:57 1.12.2013

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