Protesters topple Lenin statue in Kiev

KIEV, Ukraine, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Demonstrators toppled a statue of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin Sunday to protest Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's move to align with Russia.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in public spaces in Kiev Sunday for the third week of demonstrations against the administration, Interfax reported.

The protests, which are the biggest in Ukraine since the Orange Revolution nine years ago, started after Yanukovych turned away from European Union trade talks last month amid pressure from Russia.

Protesters said that the deal could have led to trade improvements and modernization.

The Lenin statue was a symbol of Ukraine's ties to Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Protesters said Sunday Yanukovych had 48 hours to disband his government before they marched on his country residence, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Between 300,000 and 500,000 people took part in a rally on Dec. 1, and the streets have been crowded with protesters on most evenings, CNN said.