Kiev vows never to forget 'martyrs' who fought for new Ukraine

Men, women and children of all ages, their faces grim and flowers in their hands, paid homage Sunday to the dozens of anti-government protesters slain in last week's onslaught of Ukrainian security forces to end three months of unrest. At Kiev's iconic Independence Square, known as Maidan, a little girl places roses on a barricade before rushing back into her mother's arms. "We came with all the family to show the kids what huge cost was paid for freedom: the burned buildings, the blood on the ground," said Valentina, surrounded by her husband and two children. Many carried flowers or lit candles where those who died in the carnage had lain. "We have no right to forget," said a little sign surrounded by small icons. At least 82 people died between Tuesday and Thursday when security forces opened fire on the demonstrators. On Saturday parliament voted to hold early presidential elections on May 25 and stated that Viktor Yanukovych had failed to properly fulfil his duties as president, a de facto sacking. A new era dawned in Ukraine on Sunday when parliament appointed a pro-Western interim leader after impeaching the defiant Yanukovych, whose whereabouts are unknown. In Independence Square Valentina said, "We never want to see something like this happen again in all our lifetime. "Now that the worst has happened, we expect a better future, we will fight for it." Behind her the huge Trade Union Building, the demonstrators' former headquarters, bears the sooty marks of a fire that broke out in the clashes between Yanukovych opponents and the police. - 'Sky battalion' - At nearby Instytutska street where most demonstrators died Thursday morning on their barricades a father and his 18-year-old son take pictures of a pockmarked post bearing the signs of a hail of bullets from last week's violence. "We came to pay homage to the 'sky battalion', the fighters whose souls flew away," said the son, Filip Samoilenko. "Their deaths must have a meaning, lead to real change, not just new people at parliament or in government. "We want the end of corruption, the end of a police state," he said of Yanukovych's four-year regime that included the so-called "Family" of close-knit political and financial allies. Filip's mother had wanted him to stay at home on Thursday but when shooting started he helped his father break up the pavement and use the stones as projectiles to keep the police away from the barricades. "I saw a young man who lost his hand," said Filip's father Andrii. "His face was riddled with shrapnel, you could see the bones through the meat. "It's impossible to ever forget it." On the small hill rising above the street, candles in all colours have been arranged to leave the inscription "Honour to the Heroes", as men regularly shout out the slogan most popular with the demonstrators: "Glory to Ukraine, Glory to Our Heroes". Street stewards are still visible everywhere, wearing their impressive outfits including helmets and iron bars. But now they mainly give directions to the mass of people if needed. "All these people, their faith, it is very inspiring for us, it means our action was not wasted," said Oleksandr, the 29-year-old member of a self-defence group, pointing to the remains of a burnt-down barricade. "I have been here from the first days of the protest (in November), and I will stay as much time as needed, until Yanukovych is sent to prison and we have fair elections."