Earlier in the evening, over 1,000 people gathered outside the presidential office to once again demand the release of Serhiy Sternenko, ex-head of the Odessa cell of Right Sector*, who was sentenced to seven years for kidnapping.
Due to firecrackers and flares fired by young activists, the square outside the presidential office became shrouded in thick smoke. Protesters also doused the building’s main entrance with paint.
The area is being rocked by loud music, with protesters chanting: "Freedom to Sternenko!"
Police are on standby but are not interfering
Такая сейчас ситуация в Киеве. Там под офисом президента собрались протестующие. Они просят освобождения Сергея Стерненко. Участники акции жгут цветные фаеры и скандируют лозунги pic.twitter.com/dJu4MWbITR
— NEWS.ru (@nws_ru) March 20, 2021
During the rally, the protesters also smashed windows of the main entrance to the president's office and threw a flare inside, which soon went out by itself.
They also tried to torch one of the doors, but failed. Police officers were on standby, but did not obstruct the protesters. The footage was broadcast by Ukraine’s 5 Kanal.
*Right Sector is an extremist organisation banned in Russia
