Ukrainian army not to use force against protesters in Kiev – Defense Ministry

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The Ukrainian armed forces won’t be taking part in clashes between opposition activists and police in the centre of Kiev, a Ukrainian Defense Ministry official has announced earlier today.

“The Ukrainian army won’t be using force against the protesters. All the servicemen and equipment are stationed in sites of their permanent location,” he said.

Earlier, Ukrainian Defense Minister Pavel Lebedev rejected information about alleged deployment of the army in political rallies held in Kiev. The head of the Defense Ministry reminded that under the Ukrainian Constitution the armed forces are completely excluded from taking part in the political infighting.

“The Ukrainian army is a state institution whose main purpose is to defend Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Under the Constitution’s provisions, the army can’t be deployed for imposing restrictions on rights and liberties of the people and overthrowing authorities or impeding their activities,” Lebedev stressed.