Ukranian Riot Police Are Clashing With Protesters In Kiev's Independence Square

Ukrainian riot police have stormed a protest camp in Kiev, the Associated Press reports.

Hundreds of police are trying to dismantle barricades and are clashing with protesters in the process.

The riot police came into Independence Square after an official read a decree that declares demonstrations in the city center illegal, according to Russia Today.

Protests began last month after a deal between the Ukraine and the EU failed. President Viktor Yanukovych decided to back away from plans that would have established free trade and furthered political cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, which could have been a precursor to EU membership.

The photos coming out of Kiev are intense. A live stream shows riot police moving in on the protesters.

Dozens of riot police can be seen on the right:

Here are more of them gathering under a bridge:

Here's another shot of the square: