Limited winter protests get attention
The protests in Kiev have in the last few days reached a new intensity, but behind the limited BBC reporting, other press reports and some social media it is clear that the violence is very limited to a small part of Kiev - near the parliament. See tonight's BBC report:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25843988
The protesters also appear far more organised, indeed equipped and armed to the extent the rioters and the riot police appear to be one. Some reports indicate the extreme right are in the frontline. I noted tonight one of the dead protesters came from eastern Ukraine, where traditionally the Russian-speaking majority have supported the government.
In Lviv, a western city, no reported protests - except to block the redeployment of security forces to Kiev. Western Ukraine traditionally has voted against this government - so why the inactivity?
When you consider the weather that anyone is rioting is amazing. It is minus minus 19C now and was minus 12C during the day:http://uk.weather.com/weather/today/UPXX0486:1:UP
For several years Ukrainian politicians have failed their nation, remember the 'Orange Revolution' and within years the then elected Prime Minister is ejected by the voters, ending up in prison.
Behind the shields the police are a problem
A FP article goes behind the shields we've seen of late; the headline gives away the theme:
Quote:
Ukraine's Public Enemy Number One: The Police
Why Ukraine's brutal riot police are one of the biggest obstacles on the path to reform.
Link:http://www.foreignpolicy.com/article...one_the_police
Added. A report using open sources to identify the ammunition used in the Kiev clashes, which may have killed two people. The title tells you 'not fit for purpose':
Quote:
Report: Lethal ‘car stopper’ bullets used against protesters during Hrushevskoho Street clashes
Link:http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukra...es-335579.html
Canadian centre has mature look at contest in the Ukraine