Sunday, February 23, 2014

The revolution captured on camera: Striking images that followed weeks of turmoil across Ukraine and the final days that shaped it forever

By Tara Brady
PUBLISHED: 16:09 GMT, 23 February 2014 | UPDATED: 17:11 GMT, 23 February 2014

Ukraine has experienced its bloodiest week in decades after days of deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and police which ended in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych.
For three months demonstrators have been involved in a stand-off with authorities in the capital Kiev.
But on February 18 violence escalated and the Health Ministry said the death toll between protesters and police had reached 82. The protesters put that figure at over 100.
Here are a selection of photographs which capture the devastation caused in Kiev's Independence Square.
Fireworks explode near anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police at Independence Square in Kiev on February 18
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Fireworks explode near anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police at Independence Square in Kiev on February 18
Activists pay respects to protesters who were killed in clashes with police in Independence Square, the epicentre of demonstrations in Kiev
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Activists pay respects to protesters who were killed in clashes with police in Independence Square, the epicentre of demonstrations in Kiev
Anti-government protesters carry away a wounded man as riot policemen fire live bullets on them on Independence Square in downtown Kiev
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Anti-government protesters carry away a wounded man as riot policemen fire live bullets on them on Independence Square in downtown Kiev
A woman lights candles in memory of the victims of clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, at the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow, Russia
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A woman lights candles in memory of the victims of clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, at the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow, Russia
This image taken on February 18 shows an aerial view of central Kiev, with 'Maidan' dubbed Independence square (on the left) and smoke billowing from clashes between anti-government protestors and police (centre near the stadium)
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This image taken on February 18 shows an aerial view of central Kiev, with 'Maidan' dubbed Independence square (on the left) and smoke billowing from clashes between anti-government protestors and police (centre near the stadium)
A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Explosive: A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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Explosive: A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18
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Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18
Ukrainian riot police 18 February launched a massive assault on thousands of anti-government protesters on February 18 in central Kiev
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Ukrainian riot police 18 February launched a massive assault on thousands of anti-government protesters on February 18 in central Kiev

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicentre of protests in Kiev
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Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicentre of protests in Kiev
Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18
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Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18
Wounded men make their way to safety during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 18
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Wounded men make their way to safety during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 18
An anti-government protester shoots during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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An anti-government protester shoots during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Armed: A protester uses a slingshot during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18
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Armed: A protester uses a slingshot during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18
Violence: Protesters put down barricades during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18
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Violence: Protesters put down barricades during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18
An anti-government protester prepares to throw a Molotov's cocktail during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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An anti-government protester prepares to throw a Molotov's cocktail during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Anti-government protesters clash with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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Anti-government protesters clash with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
An anti-government protester throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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An anti-government protester throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Interior Ministry members are on fire as they stand guard during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18
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Interior Ministry members are on fire as they stand guard during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18
Unrest: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18
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Unrest: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18
Anti-government protesters shield themselves and wear gas masks during a demonstration in Kiev on February 18
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Anti-government protesters shield themselves and wear gas masks during a demonstration in Kiev on February 18
Conflict: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18
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Conflict: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18
Terrified: Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18
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Terrified: Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18
Anti-government demonstrators stand among the smoke of burning barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 18
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Anti-government demonstrators stand among the smoke of burning barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 18
War: A protester holds a makeshft shield during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18
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War: A protester holds a makeshft shield during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18
Protesters clash with riot police during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
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Protesters clash with riot police during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18
Anger: Anti-government protesters in Kiev, Ukraine stand in a line with shields on February 18
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Anger: Anti-government protesters in Kiev, Ukraine stand in a line with shields on February 18
An anti-government protester wrapped in the Ukrainian national flag stands by a barricade during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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An anti-government protester wrapped in the Ukrainian national flag stands by a barricade during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
Crisis: Anti-government protesters clash with the police in Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19
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Crisis: Anti-government protesters clash with the police in Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19
An anti-government protester stands behind a barricade during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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An anti-government protester stands behind a barricade during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
Anti-government protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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Anti-government protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19

Anti-government protesters gather stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19
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Anti-government protesters gather stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19
An anti-government protester gathers stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19
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An anti-government protester gathers stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19
Riot police officers stand in line during on-going protests on Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19
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Riot police officers stand in line during on-going protests on Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19
Smoke rises above Independence Square during anti-government protests in central Kiev in the early hours of February 19
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Smoke rises above Independence Square during anti-government protests in central Kiev in the early hours of February 19
An anti-government protester prepares to throw a cobblestone towards riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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An anti-government protester prepares to throw a cobblestone towards riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
An anti-government protester uses a slingshot to throw stones towards riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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An anti-government protester uses a slingshot to throw stones towards riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
An anti-government protester wears a gas mask during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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An anti-government protester wears a gas mask during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
Anti-government protesters stand on February 19 outside the remains of the Trade Union building on Kiev's Independence Square during clashes with riot police
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Anti-government protesters stand on February 19 outside the remains of the Trade Union building on Kiev's Independence Square during clashes with riot police
A protester uses a catapult during clashes with riot police in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19
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A protester uses a catapult during clashes with riot police in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19
Anti-government demonstrators prepare stones during clashes with police near Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19
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Anti-government demonstrators prepare stones during clashes with police near Kiev's Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19
Anti-government protesters walk near a barricade in Independence Square in central Kiev February 19
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Anti-government protesters walk near a barricade in Independence Square in central Kiev February 19
Police form a barrier in Independence Square in Kiev on February 19
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Police form a barrier in Independence Square in Kiev on February 19
Berkut riot police throw stones at anti-government protesters, who are throwing rocks back, in Independence Square on February 19
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Berkut riot police throw stones at anti-government protesters, who are throwing rocks back, in Independence Square on February 19
Anti-government protesters throw rocks at riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
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Anti-government protesters throw rocks at riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19
Riot police officers stand on Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19
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Riot police officers stand on Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19
A general view of Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine on February 19
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A general view of Independence Square during on-going anti-government protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine on February 19
Anti-government protesters reinforce a barricade during clashes with the police in the centre of Kiev on February 20
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Anti-government protesters reinforce a barricade during clashes with the police in the centre of Kiev on February 20
Scores of protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev
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Scores of protesters were killed on February 20 in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev
Men cover a dead body in Independence Square in Kiev on February 20
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Men cover a dead body in Independence Square in Kiev on February 20
An anti-government protester carries a rifle across Independence Square in Kiev on February 20
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An anti-government protester carries a rifle across Independence Square in Kiev on February 20
Opposition protesters carry old tyres to be burnt during violent clashes between anti-government demonstrators and Ukrainian police on February 20
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Opposition protesters carry old tyres to be burnt during violent clashes between anti-government demonstrators and Ukrainian police on February 20
Protesters try to protect themselves from fire as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20 in Kiev
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Protesters try to protect themselves from fire as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20 in Kiev
Anti-government protesters clash with police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 20
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 20
A protestor sits on a statue while others stand on a barricade during clashes with police in Kiev on February 20
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A protestor sits on a statue while others stand on a barricade during clashes with police in Kiev on February 20
An injured man is taken to an ambulance on February 20 following three days of fighting in Independence Square in Kiev
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An injured man is taken to an ambulance on February 20 following three days of fighting in Independence Square in Kiev
A protester holds a cartridge and two empty cases he found during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 20
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A protester holds a cartridge and two empty cases he found during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 20
Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev on February 20
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Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev on February 20
Protesters walk past a barricade at the Independence Square in Kiev on February 20. Armed protesters stormed the police barricades in Kiev
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Protesters walk past a barricade at the Independence Square in Kiev on February 20. Armed protesters stormed the police barricades in Kiev
People cheer as they listen to police officers from Lviv who have joined anti-government protesters during a rally in Independence Square in Kiev on February 21
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People cheer as they listen to police officers from Lviv who have joined anti-government protesters during a rally in Independence Square in Kiev on February 21
A woman mourns during a funeral procession for two anti-government protesters killed in fighting with police on February 21 in Kiev
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A woman mourns during a funeral procession for two anti-government protesters killed in fighting with police on February 21 in Kiev
A woman cries during a funeral procession for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with the police at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, February 21
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A woman cries during a funeral procession for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with the police at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, February 21
Men carry a casket containing the body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with police from Independence Square on February 21, 2014 in Kiev
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Men carry a casket containing the body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with police from Independence Square on February 21, 2014 in Kiev
Women stand along the path of a funeral procession for two anti-government protesters killed in fighting with police on February 21, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine
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Women stand along the path of a funeral procession for two anti-government protesters killed in fighting with police on February 21, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine
The body of a dead anti-government demonstrator killed in yesterday's clashes with police is lifted above the crowd in Independence Square on February 21
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The body of a dead anti-government demonstrator killed in yesterday's clashes with police is lifted above the crowd in Independence Square on February 21
A man clenches his fist during a funeral procession for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with the police at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 21
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A man clenches his fist during a funeral procession for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with the police at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 21
The body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with the police is carried by protesters at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 21
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The body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with the police is carried by protesters at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 21
The body of a dead anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is carried through the streets next to Independence Square on February 21
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The body of a dead anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is carried through the streets next to Independence Square on February 21
Demonstrating: Anti-government protesters gather in Independence Square on February 21 in Kiev
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Demonstrating: Anti-government protesters gather in Independence Square on February 21 in Kiev
Anti-government demonstrators stand in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev. The opposition called for elections to take place on May 25 and demanded that President Yanukovych stand down immediately
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Anti-government demonstrators stand in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev. The opposition called for elections to take place on May 25 and demanded that President Yanukovych stand down immediately
A female anti-government demonstrator wears flowers in her helmet in Independence Square, on February 21
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A female anti-government demonstrator wears flowers in her helmet in Independence Square, on February 21
Clashes: Ukrainian lawmakers clash during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 21, 2014
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Clashes: Ukrainian lawmakers clash during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 21, 2014
Ukrainian lawmakers clash during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 21, 2014
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Ukrainian lawmakers clash during a Parliament session in Kiev on February 21, 2014
An anti-government protester mans a barricade in Kiev on February 21 during violent clashes on the streets of Kiev
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An anti-government protester mans a barricade in Kiev on February 21 during violent clashes on the streets of Kiev
Anti-government protesters talk next to an improvised catapult in Independence Square in Kiev on February 21
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Anti-government protesters talk next to an improvised catapult in Independence Square in Kiev on February 21
People celebrate outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014 after President Viktor Yanukovych promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead
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People celebrate outside the Parliament in Kiev on February 22, 2014 after President Viktor Yanukovych promised to submit his resignation in response to violence that left nearly 100 dead
Anti-government demonstrators remain in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The offices of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have been left unguarded and the protesters have full control of the streets surrounding the government district
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Anti-government demonstrators remain in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The offices of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have been left unguarded and the protesters have full control of the streets surrounding the government district
Destructive: Molotov cocktails prepared by anti-government protesters are placed inside a tyre in Kiev February 22, 2014
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Destructive: Molotov cocktails prepared by anti-government protesters are placed inside a tyre in Kiev February 22, 2014
Anti-government demonstrators wearing helmets and masks stand behind their barricade on February 21, in Independent square in Kiev
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Anti-government demonstrators wearing helmets and masks stand behind their barricade on February 21, in Independent square in Kiev
Deputies of the Ukrainian parliament applaud after voting for a constitution change in Kiev on February 21, 2014. Ukraine's parliament voted to return the ex-Soviet country to its 2004 constitution, which limits the president's powers and gives lawmakers the right to appoint key ministers
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Deputies of the Ukrainian parliament applaud after voting for a constitution change in Kiev on February 21, 2014. Ukraine's parliament voted to return the ex-Soviet country to its 2004 constitution, which limits the president's powers and gives lawmakers the right to appoint key ministers
An anti-government demonstrator throws a burning tire before building a barricade on February 21 in Independent Square in Kiev
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An anti-government demonstrator throws a burning tire before building a barricade on February 21 in Independent Square in Kiev
A protestor stands behind a barricade on February 21 in Kiev. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay among smouldering debris after masked protesters
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A protestor stands behind a barricade on February 21 in Kiev. Bodies of anti-government demonstrators lay among smouldering debris after masked protesters
An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square in Kiev, on Feb 22
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An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square in Kiev, on Feb 22
An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square on February 22
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An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square on February 22
An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square on Feburary 22
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An anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police is mourned in Independence Square on Feburary 22
The helmets of an anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police were put on display in Independence Square on February 22
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The helmets of an anti-government demonstrator killed in clashes with police were put on display in Independence Square on February 22
Anti-government protesters, one holding the Ukrainian national flag, drive a military vehicle through Independence Square in central Kiev on February 22
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Anti-government protesters, one holding the Ukrainian national flag, drive a military vehicle through Independence Square in central Kiev on February 22
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