Russia Sympathizers Attack Pro-Ukraine Rally in Donetsk

A huge fight broke out after pro-Russians attacked a group of pro-Ukrainians holding a peaceful rally in Donetsk.

William Booth, foreign correspondent for the Washington Post, tweeted a picture around 12PM ET that showed a peaceful rally of pro-Ukrainians. He said there were lots of police to protect them and no pro-Russians were involved.

Peaceful vibe at pro unity ukraine rally in downtown Donetsk. Lots of cops to protect. No antis (here) pic.twitter.com/qn9JJr4EvG

— William Booth (@BoothWilliam) April 28, 2014

However, five minutes after he posted the picture, pro-Russians with baseball bats charged the rally and attacked the pro-Ukrainians.

Five mins after last tweet 100s of anti Kiev protesters w bats and shields clashed w pro ukraine rally. Fights. pic.twitter.com/v37zV0agu8

— William Booth (@BoothWilliam) April 28, 2014

Scary lot of scary track suits running toward pro Ukraine rally in Donetsk, at least one with a baseball bat

— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 28, 2014

Big bangs, smoke. Sounds like fireworks rather than grenades or shots.

— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 28, 2014

Pensioner in #Donetsk says was beaten by separatists who attacked pro-#Ukraine rally pic.twitter.com/9rxhJDl82v

— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) April 28, 2014

Paramedics helping peaceful pro-#Ukraine protestors who got attack by uniformed separatists in #Donetsk pic.twitter.com/kdiSpNO0Hf

— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) April 28, 2014

Frightening times in Donetsk. Our camera now a crime scene. See knife. Cameraman attacked. Thankfully ok. pic.twitter.com/1oppjZ3z2c

— Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) April 28, 2014

Our producer Evgeny hit on the head by a brick as we ran from the pro-Russian attack pic.twitter.com/KIS5dRn6bV

— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) April 28, 2014

At least 15 injured after pro-Ukraine rally in #Donetsk by pro-Russians w iron rods, baseball bats. Police stood by pic.twitter.com/pR1pqi3kAp

— Douglas Herbert (@dougf24) April 28, 2014

After beating protesters, thugs kindly return shields presumably ‘borrowed’ from police — as officer oversees. pic.twitter.com/2a4LYqbStx

— Dan Peleschuk (@dpeleschuk) April 28, 2014

#Donetsk citizens angry @ police 4 doing little 2 stop masked separatists 4om violently dispersing pro #Ukraine rally pic.twitter.com/AMeMXi7QvD

— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) April 28, 2014

In #Donetsk. RT @RolandOliphant: That head wound earlier. No idea how many injured today. pic.twitter.com/1YJ170h2Xl

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 28, 2014

According to journalists at the scene, the police protecting the pro-Ukrainian rally did little to stop the pro-Russians.

Police did nothing to protect pro #Ukraine marchers. Hundreds of riot police stood by. #donetsk We had no choice but to run

— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) April 28, 2014

Violent thugs with bats broke up the demo and are now marching through #Donetsk. Police useless – they melted away.

— John Reed (@JohninJerusalem) April 28, 2014

This tweet perfectly sums up exactly what happened in Donetsk.

This is basically #Donetsk tonight. pic.twitter.com/2CP6jlJxdD

— Dan Peleschuk (@dpeleschuk) April 28, 2014

Donetsk has been one of the cities in the east prone to violence by the pro-Russian forces. In March, pro-Ukrainians held a rally at Lenin Square, but were attacked by pro-Russians. Two people were killed and 11 were sent to the hospital. The brutality experienced by the pro-Ukrainians scared them from holding other rallies. 

Breitbart News will update when more information is available.