Yanukovich says he's still president, asks Russia to ensure his safety.

[pampango]

12. A violent overthrow? He still had the army, the police and the Berkut on his side when he signed

the agreement with the protesters. It's not like the army defected over to the side of the protesters. Neither did the police or the Berkut. He did not have to leave. When he surprisingly left Kiev and then the country altogether, what was the opposition to do? Insist that he return to live up to the bargain that he signed? Or to assume that his departure meant that he was giving up power altogether?

If elements of the army or security forces had overthrown Yanukovych, that would be a violent overthrow. Or if violent elements among the protesters had somehow secured enough high-powered weapons to overpower the army and security forces, that would be a violent overthrow. The protesters were outgunned 1,000 to 1. They did not triumph through force of arms.

Tens of thousands of peaceful protesters along with some guys with baseball bats and makeshift medieval shields (which proved to be as ineffective as one would expect against sniper rifles) caused Yanukovych to lose his nerve. Some of the protesters had rifles, but no one suggests that they were not outgunned 1,000 to 1 by the security forces.

Now he has run home to 'daddy' (Putin) who outguns the Ukrainian military 1,000 to 1. Maybe the military odds will work in Yanukovych's favor this time if he does not lose his nerve again.