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Kiev’s Battlefield: Protests Ignite Fiery Clashes in Ukraine

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Demonstrations that have gripped the capital since November over the government’s refusal to make a trade deal with the European Union are turning increasingly violent as two protesters were killed during a bloody melee Wednesday.

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An anti-government protester shouts slogans at Kiev's Maidan square on Feb. 4, 2014.
An anti-government protester shouts slogans at Kiev's Maidan square on Feb. 4, 2014. Angelos Tzortzinis—AFP/Getty Images
Members of the radical group Pravy Sektor practice street fighting in central Kiev, Feb. 3, 2014.
Members of the radical group Pravy Sektor practice street fighting in central Kiev, Feb. 3, 2014. Darko Bandic—AP
An opposition supporter engraves a baton with the words "Maidan", referring to Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Jan. 31, 2014.
An opposition supporter engraves a baton with the words "Maidan", referring to Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Jan. 31, 2014.Emilio Morenatti—AP
Anti-government protesters gather in Independence Square on Jan. 29, 2014 in Kiev.
Anti-government protesters gather in Independence Square on Jan. 29, 2014 in Kiev.Rob Stothard—Getty Images
Riot police stand guard opposite anti-government protesters in a park area near a road block in Kiev on Jan. 28, 2014.
Riot police stand guard opposite anti-government protesters in a park area near a road block in Kiev on Jan. 28, 2014. Aris Messinis—AFP/Getty Images
A anti-government protesters rest near a fire next to a road block in Kiev on Jan. 28, 2014.
A anti-government protesters rest near a fire next to a road block in Kiev on Jan. 28, 2014. Aris Messinis—AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters gather around a fire to get warm at a road block in Kiev, Jan. 26, 2014.
Anti-government protesters gather around a fire to get warm at a road block in Kiev, Jan. 26, 2014. Aris Messinis—AFP/Getty Images
Men carry a casket containing the body of Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police, outside Mikhailovsky Cathedral after a memorial service there in his honor on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.
Men carry a casket containing the body of Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police, outside Mikhailovsky Cathedral after a memorial service there in his honor on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Women weep as a casket containing the body of Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police, is carried past on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.
Women weep as a casket containing the body of Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police, is carried past on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
The body of Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police, rests in the back of a hearse following a memorial service in his honor on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.
The body of Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police, rests in the back of a hearse following a memorial service in his honor on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Ukrainian protesters hold their flags outside of Mikhaylovsky Cathedral as they pay their final respects to Belarussian protester Mikhail Zhiznevsky during a funeral service in Kiev on Jan. 26, 2014.
Ukrainian protesters hold their flags outside of Mikhaylovsky Cathedral as they pay their final respects to Belarussian protester Mikhail Zhiznevsky during a funeral service in Kiev on Jan. 26, 2014. Genya Savilov—AFP/Getty Images
Women light candles inside Mikhailovsky Cathedral before a memorial service for Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police on January 26, 2014 in Kiev.
Women light candles inside Mikhailovsky Cathedral before a memorial service for Mikhail Zhiznevsky, 25, an anti-government protester who was killed in clashes with police on January 26, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
A man uses a pole to remove the remains of broken windows at Ukrainian House, which was taken over by anti-government protesters on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.
A man uses a pole to remove the remains of broken windows at Ukrainian House, which was taken over by anti-government protesters on Jan. 26, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Protesters behind barricades in Kiev, Jan. 25, 2014.
Protesters behind barricades in Kiev, Jan. 25, 2014. ddp images—Sipa USA
A Ukrainian protester burns tires during clashes with police in Kiev on Jan. 25, 2014
A Ukrainian protester burns tires during clashes with police in Kiev on Jan. 25, 2014 Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Street fights during very low temperature in Kiev, Jan. 25, 2014.
Street fights during very low temperature in Kiev, Jan. 25, 2014. ddp images—Sipa USA
An anti-government protester uses a large sling shot during clashes with police on Hrushevskoho Street near Dynamo stadium on Jan. 25, 2014 in Kiev.
An anti-government protester uses a large sling shot during clashes with police on Hrushevskoho Street near Dynamo stadium on Jan. 25, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
An Orthodox Christian priest prays in front of riot police near protesters' barricades in the frosty morning in central Kiev, Jan. 25, 2014.
An Orthodox Christian priest prays in front of riot police near protesters' barricades in the frosty morning in central Kiev, Jan. 25, 2014. Efrem Lukatsky—AP
An anti-government protester walks among burned buses during clashes with police on Hrushevskoho Street near Dynamo stadium on Jan. 25, 2014 in Kiev.
An anti-government protester walks among burned buses during clashes with police on Hrushevskoho Street near Dynamo stadium on Jan. 25, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Ukrainian anti-government protesters walk past burning tyres during clashes with riot police in central Kiev early on Jan. 25, 2014.
Ukrainian anti-government protesters walk past burning tyres during clashes with riot police in central Kiev early on Jan. 25, 2014.Volodymyr Shuvayev—AFP/Getty Images
Clashes in Kiev on Jan. 24, 2014.
Clashes in Kiev on Jan. 24, 2014. Olya Morvan—Landov
Clashes in Kiev on Jan. 24, 2014.
Clashes in Kiev on Jan. 24, 2014. Olya Morvan—Landov
Police block the road near the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers building on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.
Police block the road near the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers building on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Anti-government protestors clear a channel through barricades near Dynamo Stadium on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.
Anti-government protestors clear a channel through barricades near Dynamo Stadium on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.Rob Stothard—Getty Images
Anti-government protesters guard a barricade on a street near Dynamo stadium on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.
Anti-government protesters guard a barricade on a street near Dynamo stadium on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Ukrainians gather at a barricade during continuous anti-government protests in Kiev, Jan. 24, 2014.
Ukrainians gather at a barricade during continuous anti-government protests in Kiev, Jan. 24, 2014.Roman Pilipey—EPA
Incendiary projectiles are ready to be used by anti-government protesters near Dynamo Stadium on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.
Incendiary projectiles are ready to be used by anti-government protesters near Dynamo Stadium on Jan. 24, 2014 in Kiev.Brendan Hoffman—Getty Images
Orthodox priests pray as they stand between pro-European Union activists and police lines in central Kiev, Jan. 24, 2014.
Orthodox priests pray as they stand between pro-European Union activists and police lines in central Kiev, Jan. 24, 2014.Sergei Grits—AP
Protesters use a large slingshot to hurl a Molotov cocktail at police in central Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.
Protesters use a large slingshot to hurl a Molotov cocktail at police in central Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014. Sergei Grits—AP
Pro-European integration protesters take cover from water sprayed from a fire engine at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.
Pro-European integration protesters take cover from water sprayed from a fire engine at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.Vasily Fedosenko—Reuters
Pro-European integration protesters take cover from water sprayed from a fire engine at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.
Pro-European integration protesters take cover from water sprayed from a fire engine at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014. Vasily Fedosenko—Reuters
Burning tires in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.
Burning tires in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014. Burak Akbulut—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Protestors gather around a fire during a stand off with police on Jan. 23, 2014 in Kiev.
Protestors gather around a fire during a stand off with police on Jan. 23, 2014 in Kiev. Rob Stothard—Rob Stothard
Riot police in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Riot police in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.Sergii Kharchenko—NurPhoto/Corbis
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014. Efrem Lukatsky—AP
Tires burn in the street, set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Tires burn in the street, set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014. Sergei Grits—AP
Tires burn in the street, set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Tires burn in the street, set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014. Vasily Maximov—AFP/Getty Images
Pro-European protesters with a Molotov cocktail in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Pro-European protesters with a Molotov cocktail in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.Roman Pilipey—Demotix/Corbis
Riot police officers gather as they clash with protestors in the center of Kiev on Jan. 22, 2014.
Riot police officers gather as they clash with protestors in the center of Kiev on Jan. 22, 2014. Anatolii Boiko—AFP/Getty Images
A protester points a handgun during a clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
A protester points a handgun during a clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.Efrem Lukatsky—AP
Protesters clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Protesters clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014. Evgeny Feldman—AP
An opposition supporter wears a gas mask during clashes between riot police and anti-government demonstrators in central Kiev, Jan, 22, 2014.
An opposition supporter wears a gas mask during clashes between riot police and anti-government demonstrators in central Kiev, Jan, 22, 2014.Maloletka Yevgeny— Itar-Tass/Corbis
A police officer aims his shotgun during clashes with protesters in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
A police officer aims his shotgun during clashes with protesters in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014. Efrem Lukatsky—AP
Protesters duck behind a burned vehicle as they clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Protesters duck behind a burned vehicle as they clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014. Sergei Grits—AP
Riot police officers hold a man during clashes with pro-European protesters in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.
Riot police officers hold a man during clashes with pro-European protesters in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.Gleb Garanich—REUTERS
A demonstrator holds an incendiary device as protesters clash with police in the center of Kiev on Jan. 22, 2014.
A demonstrator holds an incendiary device as protesters clash with police in the center of Kiev on Jan. 22, 2014. Sergei Supinsky—AFP/Getty Images

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