Photos: Ukraine's Ring of Fire
Kiev's Independence Square became a fiery war zone Tuesday.
Protesters at Kiev's Independence Square stand under metal shields to protect themselves against riot police armed with stun grenades and water cannon.
In bloody clashes Tuesday and Wednesday, 26 people—both government foes and supporters—were killed. (See also: "How History, Geography Explain Ukraine's Political Crisis.")
Ukrainian authorities said the military would begin an "anti-terrorist operation" to stop what it said was an attempt to overthrow the government of President Viktor Yanukovych.
The center of Kiev was engulfed Tuesday and Wednesday in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis.
Anti-government protesters create a makeshift catapult to use against police and Interior Ministry officials.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called the night of violence an attempted coup and used the phrase "Brown revolution,"
