Ukraine's President Has Left Kiev, And Protesters Are Filling The Power Vacuum

The situation in Kiev appears to have taken on a new, uncertain turn.

Late yesterday, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych left (or possibly fled) the capital Kiev for a Russian-speaking city in the eastern part of the country. A power vacuum seems to have emerged, with protesters taking control of key parts of the city.

WSJ reports:

Saturday, volunteer security brigades from among the protesters took over security at government buildings in the capital, and journalists reported around 300 people had entered Mr. Yanukovych's opulent suburban residence without resistance.

Oleh Tyahnybok, an opposition leader, called on parliament to adopt a resolution calling on police and protesters' "self-defense" forces to work to prevent looting in Kiev and other cities.

Outside the Kiev headquarters of Ukraine's security service, plain-clothed men wearing earpieces stood at the street corners, eying those who passed. They wouldn't say who they worked for.

A liveblog at the Kyiv Post gives more color on the anarachic situation:

The crowd of more than 1,000 people who has gathered at Mezhyhyria, the multimillion-dollar estate abandoned by President Viktor Yanukovych, say the complex belongs to the people. Activists, journalists and others are there and allowed to tour the grounds, but not inside the buildings now guarded by the opposition. Guards who refused to be identified said that four helicopters came and two armored personnel carriers came to the complex at 2 a.m. today, the last time they noticed that Yanukovych's security were still in chage of the place. Journalist and opposition activist Tetyana Chornovol -- who has published many investigations into Yanukovych's alleged illegal acquisition of the former state property -- is on the scene. She is talking to EuroMaidan security guards about creating a system not to allow vandalism. No one with masks will be let in. She is calling for calm until the grounds can be opened to the people. Small groups will be let in, accompanied by member of the anti-government "people's self-defense." There is a suggestion to make it a Museum of Corruption.

For more on the situation, this liveblog from the Kyiv Post is the best >