Russian flag raised at regional administration building in Kharkov
1 March 2014, 16:46
Protesters in central Kharkov, the site of a rally in defence of the city, have driven radicals out of the building of regional administration in Svoboda (or Freedom) Square.
The radicals earlier seized the building. The correspondent of the ITAR-TASS news agency reports from Kharkov that a Russian flag has been hoisted over the Kharkov regional administration.
Meanwhile, several blasts have resounded inside the building, and automatic gunfire is currently said to be heard from there.
Pro-Russian activists storm regional admin HQ in Kharkov
Gunshots were heard inside and outside the regional administration headquarters in Kharkov as pro-Russian activists rushed into the building on Saturday, cheered by a crowd outside and breaching a Maidan cordon, and hoisted a Russian flag and a flag of Kharkov above the front door.
Some people were injured, according to reports.
Kharkov residents hold rally to defend their city
In Kharkov, dozens of people are walking to Svoboda, or Freedom, Square, in the city centre, where a rally 'in defence of the city' has got under way. No one is said to be in aggressive mood, the ITAR-TASS correspondent reports from Kharkov.
All participants are handed out St. George Ribbons, which the people fasten to their clothes. Russian and Ukrainian flags are aflutter in the breeze. Plastic barrier fencing has been set up around the square to limit road traffic, but police have not been ordered thus far to block traffic altogether.
Activists are using the makeshift stage in the centre of the square to urge that unrest or chaos in the city be prevented.
The former Governor of the Kharkov Region, Mikhail Dobkin, is due to arrive. Dobkin earlier said he would run for Ukrainian President.
Voice of Russia, TASS, Interfax, RIA
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
