KIEV, Ukraine, Aug. 31 (UPI) — Protesters attempted to enter the parliament in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev over the progress of reforms for independence of the eastern side of the country.
A raucous session of the country’s parliament recently saw members voting to approve more powers in the eastern areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, which are currently under pro-Russian rebel control. A total of 256 members of parliament pledged their support for the first reading of the proposed bill.
After the vote, at least 40 police officers and 10 protesters were hurt as violence ensued outside parliament. Demonstrators attempted to break a fence in order to get into the building.
Four officers were in serious condition.
An explosion was reported near the parliament, leaving several dozen people covered in blood, including police officers. Shots were also heard nearby.
Ukrainian government official Anton Gerashchenko said a grenade was thrown at police.
Meanwhile, in the eastern regions under rebel control, a fragile ceasefire is in place after a joint agreement between rebels and Ukrainian forces to end the violence Tuesday when children in the area return to school. The bill is a critical part of the Minsk agreement, which was signed in February by Ukraine’s government and the self-proclaimed Donbass region.
Ukrainians are upset with the government’s willigness to make deals with a group they see as terrorists.
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