Thousands protest outside Ukrainian president residence In Kyiv, about 200 cars packed with pro-EU protesters left European Square near Independence Square on Sunday morning. They drove to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's residence, furious over a decision by the government in November to turn its back on closer ties with the European Union and turn instead to former Soviet master Moscow. They were joined by over a thousand protesters who who walked 10 kilometers from the nearest metro station. Sunday's protest follows a prominent activist and opposition journalist being dragged from her car and badly beaten on Wednesday. Tetyana Chornovol is known for her investigative reporting into corruption among top government officials. She remains hospitalised. The attack has breathed new life into more than a month of opposition protests in the capital. As thousands protested outside the president's residence, tens of thousands remained in Independence Square listening to the speeches of government opposition leaders. One of the leaders, Vitaliy Klychko, renewed calls for a nationwide strike, asking supporters to skip work after Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on 7 January.