You're reading: The Guardian: Ukraine suffers ‘black day’ that will never be forgotten

 Assault on Independence Square in Kyiv left at least 26 people dead, 10 of them police officers

 Beneath the gilded column known as Stella that towers over Kyiv’s Independence Square, the charred, black remains of Ukraine’s battlefield bore witness to the saddest, grimmest 36 hours in the young country’s history.

On Tuesday morning, the public space was an encampment of tents and soup kitchens occupied mainly by youthful and peaceful protesters sick to the back teeth of the corruption, cronyism and misrule of their president.

“It’s a black day,” said Nikolai, a pensioner, surveying the city centre vista of apocalypse. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. No one knows. This is terrible. Nothing works any more.”

“This night is one that will never be forgotten in Ukraine, this will stay in the minds of people until they die,” said Aleksandar, 57. “Our government is slaughtering people, this is the action of a dictator.”

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