Dozens were arrested outside the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on Tuesday after clashes broke out between police and a small group of violent demonstrators.
A small group of masked men gathered outside the Verkhovan Rada (Ukraine's parliament) building where they threw smoke bombs at a police line.
In footage of the clashes, a small group at the front of the crowd can be seen trading blows with police officers wearing riot gear.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of the Interior, at least 36 people were taken into police custody following the clashes. Several police officers were also reportedly injured in the incident.
The clashes came after of thousands of Svoboda nationalist party supporters rallied earlier in the capital in celebration of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. It is unclear whether any members of the group were involved in the incident. Those on the ground attributed the incident to masked provocateurs, including Mashable's Chris Miller.
No doubt provocateurs at parliament. Nobody in masks identified w/ party, simply said "nationalists." Two admitted they'd been paid 400UAH.— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) October 14, 2014
Miller also noted that two men admitted to having been paid to participate.
No doubt provocateurs at parliament. Nobody in masks identified w/ party, simply said "nationalists." Two admitted they'd been paid 400UAH.— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) October 14, 2014
Svoboda, meanwhile, has denied involvement in the incident, which those on the ground said it was orchestrated by a small group of people at the rally.
Big row about what just happened at the Rada. Svoboda, Right Sector deny involvement, some blame "provocateurs", some FSB. Oh Kiev.— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) October 14, 2014
The Oct. 14 parliamentary session will be the last before the Oct. 25 parliamentary elections. Despite the clashes, the parliament managed to pass two key laws, one which will overhaul the prosecutor’s office and another which will create a much needed anti-corruption bureau.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said the anti-corruption bureau was especially important to the nation.
“We’ve made a decisive step in fighting corruption, a cancer that is eroding the country. I have no doubts that appointment of the bureau head will be made by absolutely transparent procedure and this person will meet the requirements of time,” Poroshenko said.
The violence comes amid continued unrest in the east of the country, where separatists and government forces are currently battling over the key Donetsk airport.
A cease-fire between Ukrainian forces and separatists in the east of the country has been in place since early September, but violations are reported daily. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Tuesday their positions had come under rocket fire more than 30 times in the last 24 hours.