UPDATE - Ukrainian Nationalists Tried To Break Through To Poroshenko, 15 Policemen Injured - Police

KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th March, 2019) Ukrainian nationalists tried to break through to the country's president, Petro Poroshenko, who was speaking in the city of Cherkasy, and 15 policemen were injured in clashes with them, the Ukrainian police reported on Saturday.

According to the police, representatives of the far-right National Corps party tried to break into the stage, where Poroshenko was speaking. About 30 activists did not react to the appeals of law enforcement officers about the inadmissibility of such actions.

"The nationalists began to provoke ordinary citizens to a fight, they used irritating gas and physical force on the police officers, burnt up fireworks and finally tried to block the motorcade of the first person," the police said

However, the policemen managed to push back the activists and provide the necessary security measures for the president of Ukraine.

"As a result of the clashes, 15 law enforcement officers were injured.

Five of them received medical assistance on the spot, 10 applied to medical institutions," the statement says.

Investigators opened a criminal case under two articles of the Criminal Code, including "threat or violence against a law enforcement officer", and "hooliganism."

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov called the clashes provoked by the nationalists inadmissible.

"Any anger has reasonable boundaries! What was done today at the rally of P. Poroshenko in Cherkasy by the representatives of the National Corps is unacceptable! ... It is inadmissible to behave this way - criminal proceedings have been initiated - those who have crossed the line must be punished," Avakov wrote on Facebook.

The minister urged real patriots to think about the country, and not to unwind the spiral of hatred and chaos that destroys the country.