Barricades come down in central Kiev after months of protest

Activists build barricades during clash with a special forces police battalion, in Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. Demonstrators on Thursday confronted city workers attempting to clear a central square, lighting tyres on fire in protest against the city government's move. Dark plumes of smoke from burning rubber rose above Independence Square as workers guarded by armed men in camouflage dismantled some of the barricades surrounding the area. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)

Activists and special forces police battalion officers argue in Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. Demonstrators on Thursday confronted city workers attempting to clear a central square, lighting tyres on fire in protest against the city government's move. Dark plumes of smoke from burning rubber rose above Independence Square as workers guarded by armed men in camouflage dismantled some of the barricades surrounding the area. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)

Burned tires are scattered on Independence Square after clash with special forces police battalion in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. Demonstrators on Thursday confronted city workers attempting to clear a central square, lighting tyres on fire in protest against the city government's move. Dark plumes of smoke from burning rubber rose above Independence Square as workers guarded by armed men in camouflage dismantled some of the barricades surrounding the area. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)