Ukraine Accuses Russia of Helping Yanukovych in Protester Deaths
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Ukraine’s security service said deposed President Viktor Yanukovych deployed snipers to target anti-government demonstrators this year, with Russian forces also playing a role in violence that cost more than 100 lives.
The ousted Kremlin-backed leader, who fled to Russia in February, deployed sharpshooters on buildings in central Kiev and ordered them to open fire on protesters, State Security Service head Valentyn Nalyvaychenko told reporters today in Ukraine’s capital. Russia began sending special forces personnel to the country in December and shipped explosives there the next month, he said. Yanukovych has denied involvement in the sniper deaths and Russia dismissed the accusations today.