Ukrainian President is missing

February 23, 2014 14:18

The whereabouts of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych were unclear today, a day after he left the capital and his arch foe Yulia Tymoshenko was freed from prison and returned to Kiev to address a massive, adoring crowd.

Ukrainian news agencies, citing the deputy head of the State Border Service, reported that a chartered airplane with Yanukovych onboard was denied permission to take off from Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that is the president's base of support.

The centre of Kiev, meanwhile, was calm as the sun came up today after a day that saw a stunning reversal of fortune in Ukraine's political crisis.

Protesters yesterday took control of the presidential administration building, and thousands of curious and contemptuous Ukrainians roamed the suddenly open grounds of the lavish compound outside Kiev where Yanukovych was believed to live.

Parliament, which he controlled the previous day but is now emboldened against him, called for his removal and for elections on May 25. But Yanukovych said he now regards the parliament as illegitimate and he won't respect its decisions.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Verstappen wins first sprint race of the F1 season

Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of the Formula One season at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.

Should Dhoni bat higher up the order?

West Indies batting great Brian Lara believes CSK's Mahendra Singh Dhoni won't consider a promotion in the batting order.

Can Gukesh maintain lead in Candidates' Chess?

Gukesh to clash with Alireza on what promises to be a photo finish

Struggling Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans in battle of cellar teams

Their campaigns wobbling after a string of defeats, bottom-rung teams Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans will be desperate to arrest the slide and get back to winning ways in their Indian Premier League match in Mullanpur on Sunday.

It's perform or perish time for RCB against KKR

With five consecutive defeats, bottom-placed RCB have the daunting task of winning their remaining seven games to keep their play-off prospects alive.