Maidan crackdown: two years ago Berkut riot police brutally beat students. PHOTOS

At 4 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2013, about 300 Berkut riot police officers launched their bloody crackdown on Maidan protesters.

At least 1,000 people stayed on the square at that time, mostly students.

The dispersal was extremely cruel. First, people were surrounded at the monument, then a fierce beating started. The policemen were using the batons indiscriminately — students, women — kicked the fallen, dragged them on the ground. Berkut officers were chasing protesters far beyond the Maidan. 

Several foreign nationals were hit during the crackdown. In particular, a Polish citizen Jacek was injured. Overall, some 70 people suffered. 

Part of protesters were chased to St. Michael's Monastery where they hid from the police.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, then led by Vitalii Zakharchenko, excused such violent actions by the necessity of installing a Christmas tree and arranging a fair on the square.

After protesters were forced out of the square, the police took the whole perimeter around the Independence Monument. At the same time, Christmas tree installation started. 

The night of Nov. 30, 2013 became the revolution's turning point. The following day's afternoon, loads of people gathered for a spontaneous protest at St. Michael's Square. Self defense squads started to be formed. This was the day when AutoMaidan — a union of Kyiv motorists — emerged. The opposition called the crackdown a "bloody" action. The National Resistance Staff was set up.