Clashes erupt in Ukraine over blockade of coal

[yungcrux]

BOOK INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TICKETS LOCAL FLIGHTS HOTELS BOOKINGS WORLDWIDE AND MORE AT CHEAPEST RATE EVER! CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT AND RECEIVE YOUR FLIGHT TICKET INSTANTLY

Loading...

Seven people have been arrested during a protest to support a blockade of coal from Russian-backed rebels in the east. Ukraine's leaders say the obstruction, which started in late January, could lead to more power cuts.

Clashes broke out between Ukrainian ultra-nationalist demonstrators and police in central Kyiv on Sunday evening, a correspondent with the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency said.
Security forces had escorted the protesters as they marched from the Ukrainian capital's Independence or Maidan square to the offices of the president.

"Shame on the corrupt government!," "The enemy is within!" many shouted, some hurling firecrackers before the clashes.
"Poroshenko benefits from this trade, that's why he is against the blockade," said 51-year-old protester Yevgen.
Several arrests
According to news agency AFP, at least seven protesters were detained during the demonstration by more than 1,000 people, many wearing camouflage and balaclavas.

Among those arrested was Mykola Kokhanivskyi, the head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.
Before the violence began, he told the crowd: "We once again warn the authorities who trade coal with the occupied territories, making cash from blood."
Sunday's violence erupted over support for a rail blockade by nationalists who have blocked coal shipments from parts of eastern Ukraine held by Russian-backed separatists.