19 December 2013 | 20:05

EuroMaidan protest in Ukraine

©Vladimir Prokopenko

A mass rally of thousands protesters led by top opposition leaders including world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko started on November 21, 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine calling for the president to step down after he refused to sign a key political and free trade deal with the European Union at a summit in Vilnius. Waving European Union and opposition party flags, the protesters marched through the center of the city chanting pro-Western and anti-government slogans and stormed the municipal hall, labor unions buildings in Kiev. Some held posters saying "We are not the Soviet Union, we are the European Union" and "I Love EU". The crowd also chanted calls for unseating of President Viktor Yanukovich and release of ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko from jail. Mass protests sparked violent clashes with police, who sprayed tear gas and threw stun grenades. Hundreds of people were injured during the clashes.

Euromaidan (EuroSquare) has become a small town behind barricades. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Banners, paintings and posters with the calls and ideas of the protesters: Ukraine should join the EU, the President and Government should resign. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

A Christmas tree decorated with leaflets and posters has become one of the symbols of the opposition. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Ukrainians from all over the country came to participate in the protest at the Independence Square of Kiev. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The Ukrainians stand for European values and lifestyle. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Some people protested by laying on the ground. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The catering is free and regular at the EuroMaidan (EuroSqaure). ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Opposition provided protesters with food. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Residents of Kiev bring warm clothes for protesters who sleep in tents. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

The damp weather is not enough to chill down the protesters, but still they enjoy basking at the fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

24-hour watch at the barricades. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The rallies took place not only at the Independence Sqaure, but in front of the Ministers' Cabinet Hall and Prosecutor's Office. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

A column of protesters approaching the Prosecutor's Office. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Protesters demanding release arrested activists. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Rallies were not interrupted, even for the night time. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

There were other protests a few kilometers from EuroMaidan (EuroSquare). ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Behind the police cordon people sang songs and expressed their support to Vladimir Yanukovich policy. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

They even had a field kitchen. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

But Yanukovich's supporters lost to EuroMaidan activists by number. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Agitation billboard. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Protesters occupied the Municipal Administration Hall. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

A place where protesters could eat and stay overnight. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Nights lodging. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

First-aid post. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

First aid post. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Press-center of the national resistance movent headquarters. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Journalists from all over the world are observing the event. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Even kids are taking part in the revolution. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Protesters shout pro-Western and anti-government slogans and wave EU, Ukrainian flags; even some Georgian flags were spotted. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Ex-President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili arrived to Ukrain to support EuroMaidan (EuroSqaure) activists. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Demostrators welcomed the politicians and chanted his name during Saakashvili's speech. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The Leader of Ukraine Opposition party UDAR (Punch) Vitaly Klitschko called the activists to gather 1 million confederates at the square. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The rally of 1 million people was held at the Independence Sqaure on December 8. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

The protesters believe that Yuliya Timoshenko's release should become the main prove of independence. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

EuroMaidan at night. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

The activists give speeches even at the night. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

EuroMaidan at night. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Activists bask at the fire. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

©Vladimir Prokopenko

Revolutionary emblems sold in the streets. ©Vladimir Prokopenko

Pro-EU Ukrainian demonstrators kept up their protest against President Viktor Yanukovych after symbolically toppling the statue of the Soviet Union's founder Vladimir Lenin during a gigantic rally in central Kiev. ©Vladimir Prokopenko