At least two riot police officers were injured while protecting the Lenin monument on Shevchenko Blvd. in Kyiv around 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 1 when more than 300 radical protesters attacked them.
The group of demonstrators attacked the special police unit with large sticks, stones and ladders. The special police force responded with flash grenades and tear gas, throwing it not only in the mob attacking them but also into crowds of bystanders nearby. A group of city police fled the scene almost immediately.
The protesters pushed the special police back from the monuement, scattering them to a nearby bus. At least two were left behind and beaten by the group. One was seen by the Kyiv Post being taken to the Prego Italian restaurant nearby. An ambulance arrived shortly after.
With word that the special police force had called in for reinforcement, the angry mob swelled to over 1,000, shouting “shame!”
As of 9:30, protesters remained there, with special police forces standing nearby.
