Deadly crackdown in Kiev – The heavenly hundred anniversary
UPDATE: TODAY Feb 20, 2015 marks the anniversary of The mass killings of the “the heavenly hundred”.
During last year’s clashes between Ukrainian anti-government protesters and riot police some 20 police officers and over 100 protesters – now revered as ‘the heavenly hundred’ in Ukraine – were killed. The majority were victims of the February 20, 2014, incident in which unidentified snipers started shooting on both sides of Independence Square and the adjacent Instituskaya Street. The mass killings were the tipping point of the 2014 Maidan protest, escalating the already violent confrontation into an armed coup.
A series of events is scheduled to take place in Kiev to commemorate the heroes of the Heavenly Hundred who have perished during the mass killings on 18-20 February 2014
KIEV, UKRAINE. Feb 20, 2014
The violent and dramatic crackdown that followed three months of anti-government occupation of Maidan square resulted in a brutal bloodshed. Both violent and peaceful protesters have been targeted and shot by special forces snipers without distinctions. Medics, volunteers and priests have been hit as well. Death toll raised to more than 70 in just 2 days, when Maidan square turned into an infernal circle.
All photographs by Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
All other Ukraine Crisis updates and photos
Warning: contains graphic images
Barricades built under the Maidan independence monument in the last three months are now burning under the repressive assault of the police. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Paving stones hailing to regain the Maidan Square. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Protesters ignite petrol bombs to be next hurled towards the riot police. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Protesters faces the riot police behind their shields. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A policeman provides first aid to a wounded protesters who fell on the field. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Red Cross Medics and volunteers have been targeted and hit on the battlefield of maidan square while tryng to help other injured people. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A woman protests amid the battle. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Protesters use sniper rifles during the most violent moments of the protest in Maidan square. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A protester has just been shot and is heavily bleeding. Death and injury toll raise every hour on the hour in Maidan square since the violent repression started. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A young woman cries and despairs in Maidan square during the bloodshed performed by the authorities. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A protester prays holding a rosary. Many Orthodox faithful. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A woman prays holding a rosary during the most violent moments of the repression. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A young kid protester hurls paving stones and takes part into the violent protest. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Protesters help wounded people, lift and bring them to a makeshift clinic where red cross medics treat them as they can do. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Protesters ignite petrol bombs to be next hurled towards the riot police. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Shields have been pierced by snipers’ rounds. Reportedly 7.62mm bullets have being removed from fatalities, suggesting weapons like Dragunov sniper rifles are in use. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A hooded protester pointing a gun during the intense clashes in Maidan Square. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A protester has just been shot. Death and injury toll raise every hour on the hour in Maidan square since the violent repression started. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
A Protester has been injured and is heavily bleeding from his head and face. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
Protesters and red cross volunteers lift and bring a dead body to a makeshift morgue. Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / UnFrame
