Ukraine protesters take control of Kiev

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych fled the country’s capital in what he referred to as a “coup.’’ The move follows a violent week in which more than 100 people were killed in anti-government clashes.

Parliament found the president unable to fulfill his duties and set an election for May 25 to select his replacement. Meanwhile, Yanukovych’s political nemesis, former prime minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko, was freed from a penitentiary hospital and spoke to a crowd of about 50,000 protesters. See scenes from the Ukraine.

Pictured: A participant held a Ukrainian national flag near tyres on fire during a performance called “Freedom” to support Ukrainian anti-government protesters.

People awaited a speech by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to protesters gathered in Independence Square.

A large photograph of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko huug on the side of a structure on Independence Square before her address to anti-government protesters.

Tymoshenko addressed the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison. ‘‘You are heroes, you are the best thing in Ukraine!’’ she said of the victims.

Former Ukrainian prime ministerYulia Tymoshenko addressed the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. She sits in a wheelchair because of a back problem aggravated during imprisonment.

A mother reacted during a funeral service for her son, killed during clashes with riot police, on Independence Square.

An anti-government protester waited outside the parliament building in Kiev.

Anti-government protesters reacted after the vote of the Ukrainian Parliament as they rallied outside the parliament building. Ukraine’s parliament on February 22 voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25, passing a resolution stating that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president.

A flower was left on the burned floor next to a dismantled barricade in rememberance of the people killed during the clashes between anti-government activists and the Ukrainian police forces after a week of escalting violence.

People lit candles in Independence Square following the announcement that Ukrainian President has been ousted.

Anti-government protesters guarded the entrace to a house on President Viktor Yanukovych’s Mezhyhirya estate, which was abandoned by security.