Europe

5 arrested in Kiev clash between nationalists, police

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Riot police block the approach to the President's Office at a protest rally in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. Protesters were demanding a stop to trade relations with Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)

An activist throws a smoke grenade toward riot police during a protest rally in front of the President Office in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. Protesters were demanding a stop to trade relations with Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)

A woman holding a red carnation argues with riot police during a protest rally in front of the President Office in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. Protesters were demanding a stop to trade relations with Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)

Five people have been detained and one policeman injured in a clash between Ukrainian nationalist demonstrators and police outside the presidential administration building in Kiev.

The Sunday evening clash involved demonstrators in camouflage and balaclavas who tried to set up a tent camp in support of nationalists who have blocked coal shipments from parts of eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed separatists. The blockade has led to power shortages in government-held parts of Ukraine.

Police said those detained included Nikolai Kokhanivsky, leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.

Ukrainian forces have been fighting separatist rebels in the east since April 2014, a conflict that had killed more than 9,800.