Independence Square in Kiev in 2009 (top) and the same square pictured in February 2014

This combination of pictures shows Independence Square in Kiev on April 22, 2009 and the same square pictured on February 20, 2014,

A anti-government protester is engulfed in flames while running from the scene, during clashed with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic.

Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic

An anti-government protester clash with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence Tuesday.

Anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police in central Kiev on February 18, 2014. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko on February 18 urged women and children to leave the opposition’s main protest camp on Kiev’s Independence Square, known as Maidan, as riot police massed nearby. “We ask women and children to quit Maidan as we cannot rule out the possibility that they will storm (the camp),” the former heavyweight boxing champion told protestors on the square.

Anti-government protesters clash with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev on February 18, 2014. At least three anti-government protesters were killed and some 150 others injured, some seriously, today in fresh clashes between police and demonstrators protesting near Ukraine’s parliament building in Kiev. Medics at an opposition-run field hospital said that most of the injuries were caused by stun grenades while some of the 30 people in a serious condition had suffered head injuries, and one person had to have a hand amputated.

An anti-government protester finds cover during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic.

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic.

Anti-government protesters carry a wounded man during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Ukrainian riot police approached Kiev’s main opposition camp on February 18 after at least seven people were killed in the bloodiest day of clashes in nearly three months of protests. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko called on women and children to quit the encampment on Kiev’s iconic Independence Square over fears of a possible police assault. But some 25,000 protestors remained on the square after the expiry of a 6:00pm (16.00 GMT) ultimatum from security forces demanding calm be restored.

Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev’s Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors.

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev’s Independence Square, the epicenter of the country’s current unrest, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Thousands of police armed with stun grenades and water cannons attacked the large opposition camp in Ukraine’s capital that has been the center of nearly three months of anti-government protests on Tuesday, after at least nine people were killed in street clashes.

Riot police shield themselves during clashes with protesters in central Kiev on February 18, 2014. Five people died on February 18 as anti-government protesters clashed with security forces in central Kiev, a police spokeswoman said. “Five civilians died as a result of the mass unrest in Kiev,” Kiev police department spokeswoman Olga Bilyk told AFP.

A firework explodes amid flames during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police at Kiev’s Independence Square February 18, 2014. Ukrainian riot police started to move into Kiev’s Independence Square late on Tuesday, pushing back anti-government protesters whose tents were burning, local television showed.

Anti-government protesters throw missiles during clashes with riot police at the Independence Square in Kiev February 18, 2014. Ukrainian riot police started to move into Kiev’s Independence Square late on Tuesday, pushing back anti-government protesters whose tents were burning, local television showed.

Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police said seven officers died from gunshot wounds, while authorities and demonstrators said five civilians were also killed in the clashes, bringing the death toll to at least 16. Hundreds of people were injured, including dozens of police officers, some with serious wounds.

Fireworks explode amid flames during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police at Kiev’s Independence Square February 18, 2014. Ukrainian riot police charged protesters occupying a central Kiev square early on Wednesday after the bloodiest day since the former Soviet republic, caught in a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West, won its independence.

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police at Independence Square in Kiev February 19, 2014. Ukrainian riot police fought protesters occupying the central Kiev square early on Wednesday after the bloodiest day since the former Soviet republic, caught in a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West, won its independence.

Anti-government protesters gather at a barricade near a fire during clashes with Interior Ministry members and riot police in central Kiev during the early hours February 19, 2014. Twenty-five people have been killed in fighting between anti-government protesters and police in the capital Kiev, the Ukrainian Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

An anti-government protester takes part in clashes with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine’s three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev’s battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square.

An anti-government protester stands in front of burning vehicles at the Security Service building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on February 18, 2014. Anti-government protesters in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on February 18 seized the regional administration building and police headquarters as clashes raged in Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. Some 500 demonstrators stormed the regional administration after bombarding it with stones before taking the control of the local police headquarters in the largely pro-EU city.

KIEV, UKRAINE – FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25.

KIEV, UKRAINE – FEBRUARY 18: Injured anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament on February 18, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. The anti-government protest originally started in November, after Ukrainian president Victor Yanukovych refused an association agreement with the European Union.

KIEV, UKRAINE – FEBRUARY 18: An injured anti-government protester lies on the ground during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament on February 18, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. The anti-government protest originally started in November, after Ukrainian president Victor Yanukovych refused an association agreement with the European Union.

KIEV, UKRAINE – FEBRUARY 18: An injured anti-government protester is treated for injuries sustained during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine’s parliament on February 18, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. The anti-government protest originally started in November, after Ukrainian president Victor Yanukovych refused an association agreement with the European Union.

Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police said seven officers died from gunshot wounds, while authorities and demonstrators said five civilians were also killed in the clashes, bringing the death toll to at least 16. Hundreds of people were injured, including dozens of police officers, some with serious wounds.