KIEV, Ukraine — The 3-month old anti-government demonstration morphed into a chaotic bloodshed on Thursday. The government forces fired live ammunition on the protesters, killing dozens. The opposition estimated around 100 people had been killed.

The efforts of European Union diplomats for a compromise solution have not come to fruition. Even the calls from foreign leaders to the government of Ukraine have fallen to deaf ears.

Early on, there was a truce forged by the government and leader of opposition. But it has done little to quell the violence. It finally shattered when the shooting occurred.

The loss of life is indeed a very sad moment in Ukraine history.

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UPDATE: as of 2/21/14 – reported by Reuters:

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on Friday signed an agreement with three opposition leaders on ending a crisis that sparked bloody clashes between protesters and police on the streets of the capital Kiev.

The deal sets out plans to hold early presidential elections, form a national unity government and revert to the 2004 constitution, removing some of the president’s powers. Continue Reading at Reuters

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Days prior to bloodshed, a video entitled “I Am a Ukrainian” has gone viral in social media, including Youtube with millions of views.

The girl in the video gave the reason why they’re protesting:

“I want you to know why thousands of people all over my country are on the street. There is only one reason: We want to be free from the dictatorship.”

Here’s the video:



