Supporters of opposition political parties burst through a police line during protests in Kyiv on the Aug. 24 20th anniversary of the nation's independence
(1) – Supporters of opposition political parties burst through a police line during protests in Kyiv on the Aug. 24 20th anniversary of the nation’s independence.
A Kyiv court banned peaceful protests in the center during the holiday, but a few thousand people who gathered for a demonstration in Shevchenko Park attempted to reach the city center.
First, a group broke past uniformed police officers. But they got stopped by heavily fortified riot police who erected steel barriers.
Demonstractors criticized a rollback in democracy under President Viktor Yanukovych and the arrest and trial of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on abuse of office charges.
The European Association of Ukrainians dressed “The Peeing Boy” sculpture as Prince Yaroslav the Wise, a leader of the ancient Kyivan Rus empire, in Brussels.
Singer Oleh Skrypka attends the Parade of Vyshyvanka (embroidered Ukrainian clothes) in Kyiv. About 350 people gather for a photograph by Ihor Gaidai.
Ukrainians sing during a celebration on Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
An activist from Femen, the women’s rights organization, cuts grass near the Cabinet of Ministers during a protest. Activists and organizers said cutting the grass symbolized how Ukrainian authorities have cut off help to long-suffering citizens since 1991.
A fireworks show ends the gala concert on Independence Square.
(Photos by Yaroslav Debelyi, Alexey Furman, AFP, Courtesy)
