Several women turned up at the rally with their children, not expecting the day to end in tears and bloodshed.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

Many paint the Ukrainian national flag on their cheeks – a symbol despised by pro-Russian separatists.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

The march is peaceful and even cheerful, though the presence of numerous riot police is a reminder of the growing unrest in this volatile part of eastern Ukraine.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

The rally enters one of Donetsk’s main avenues, surrounded by riot police.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

A group of youths, many of them nationalist football fans, march at the front of the rally.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

An ‘ultra’ suddenly notices the pro-Russian militants on the other side of the police cordon…
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

Several pro-Russian militants position themselves on the road where the pro-Ukraine demonstrators are supposed to pass. The police in charge of protecting the rally realise that the situation is about to get out of control.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

While the police are overwhelmed, the pro-Ukraine protesters become easy targets for the pro-Russians, who are armed with clubs, baseball bats, cudgels as well as shields.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

Some of the pro-Russian militants are carrying daggers and even guns.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

The pro-Ukraine demonstrators are visibly terrified by the outbreak of violence.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

This pro-Ukraine demonstrator, armed with just a camera, is violently beaten up by the balaclava-wearing pro-Russian militants.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

A policeman bravely throws himself on a protestor being attacked, to protect him with his own body.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

A demonstrator in a state of shock after being attacked in the clashes is comforted by a friend.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

Pro-Russian militants have also been wounded in the brief clashes.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

The road is now occupied by the pro-Russians, including this woman armed with a fork, who accuses the police of protecting ‘fascists’.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

The pro-Russian militants celebrate: the pro-Ukraine demonstration has been broken up.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

The pro-Russian militants return to their headquarters, the regional administration building, where a support committee crying ‘Down with Nazism’ awaits them.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

For these old women, the balaclava-wearing militants who have just brutally attacked a peaceful demonstration are heroes of the fight against fascism.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24

A separatist militant waves a Russian federation flag while the crowd behind him sings patriotic Russian songs.
Photo: Mehdi Chebil / FRANCE 24