Video Shows Explosion Injuring Ukrainian National Guard Officers, One Died and Almost 100 Wounded

A Ukrainian National Guard officer in his 20s died after being shot during a clash between officials and nationalist protesters.

According to AFP, the officer, whose name is being withheld, was killed when protesters used began opening fire at the guards protecting the parliament building in Kiev. Grenades and other explosives were fired and other sources say the officer died from sharpnel. 

According to BBC, more than 90 officers were injured during the protest. Most of the protesters were of the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party, who oppose giving the regions in eastern Ukraine greater autonomy.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov stated that four officers are being treated for serious injuries to the eyes, stomach, neck and legs from a number of explosive devices that were thrown at them from crowds gathered outside the Ukranian Parliament. You can check out Avakov's post on Facebook below:

The protest was started by members of the Svoboda party, which has a handful of seats in the Ukrainian Parliament.

Earlier this year, the Ukrainian government announced that it would be transferring powers to separatist regions. This truce with the pro-Russian separatists ended a long conflict that left over 6,000 people dead. Many Ukrainians rejected the move, claiming it threatens the country's sovereignty and independence.

Video footage shows the protests and rally. Warning: end of the video contains graphic footage.

Minister Avakov said that over 30 people have been detained by officials and blames Svoboda leader Oleh Tyahnybok for causing the protests.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stated that the changes brought by the truce were "not a road to peace and not a road to decentralisation."

She went on to add, "This is the diametrically opposite process, which will lead to the loss of new territories."

Parliament speaker Vladimir Groisman said he doesn't think that the recent changes will make Ukraine a Federalist state. He stated, "There is no hint of federalism. Ukraine was, is and will be a unified state."

The rebels and the Ukrainian army forces have been going back and forth all summer, but will suspend the violence on Sept. 1 because of the first day of school for kids.