Ukraine's Yanukovych had planned to 'cleanse' Kiev of protesters

Ukraine&#039;s Yanukovych had planned to &#039;cleanse&#039; Kiev of protesters — (Image credit: JEFF J. MITCHELL/Getty Images)

Before he fled Kiev, ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych drew up plans to "cleanse" Independence Square (Maidan) of the protesters camped out there since November. The plans, part of which were carried out, involved 22,000 members of security forces and were revealed by legislator Gennady Moskal, who posted documents on his site (he claims he got them from "patriotic" security officials). The "anti-terrorist" plan, dubbed "Operation Wave," involved shutting down Kiev, blacking out opposition TV stations, and "cleaning out" the Maidan by leading the protesters into a trap and "neutralizing" the right-wing militias helping protect the square.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.