Ukrainian opposition offices raided

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Ukrainian opposition Batkivshina Political Party headquarters were raided by masked men yesterday.

The raid occurred after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich posted an announcement on his website that he would support dialogue with the opposition. Opposition party leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk noted that the perpetrators destroyed equipment and claimed that "special ops" members were responsible. The police denied involvement.

Demonstrations in Kiev began after President Yanukovich announced on November 21 that Ukraine would not sign a trade deal with the EU, a move that was seen as bowing to pressure from Russia and thwarting Ukraine's attempts to advance its economy.

Protesters were further enraged following a meeting last Friday between Yanukovich and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was seen by protestors of further evidence of Ukrainian involvement in a Russian-led regional trade pact. On Sunday, protestors toppled a statue of Soviet leader hero Vladimir Lenin in Kiev.

[CNN] [UPI]