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Ukraine protests: Two people killed in clashes in Kiev | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least two people are reported to have died in clashes between police and protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev in a third night of violence. | |
The clashes began after police moved in to dismantle a protest camp. | |
Protesters threw firebombs and stones, while the police used tear gas and rubber bullets. At least one of the men who died reportedly had bullet wounds. | |
The violence was triggered by the introduction of new laws last week that criminalise protests. | |
Protesters have been camped out in central Kiev since late November, in anger at the government's rejection of a planned treaty with the EU in favour of Moscow. | |
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov had warned that police would use force if the unrest seen on the fringes of the protest in recent days continued. | Prime Minister Mykola Azarov had warned that police would use force if the unrest seen on the fringes of the protest in recent days continued. |
The violence has been restricted to a small area around Hrushevskyy Street, close to the main protest encampment at Maidan (or Independence Square), with most of the rest of the city functioning normally, say correspondents. | The violence has been restricted to a small area around Hrushevskyy Street, close to the main protest encampment at Maidan (or Independence Square), with most of the rest of the city functioning normally, say correspondents. |
Hundreds of people have been injured during the three nights of clashes, though peaceful protesters have blamed a little-known far-right group, Right Sector, for carrying out the violence. | |
Fireworks | |
Shortly after 06:00 GMT on Wednesday - after a relatively peaceful night - police stormed protesters' barricades on Hrushevskyy Street. | |
Fresh clashes broke out as police arrested protesters, amid heavy snowfall. | Fresh clashes broke out as police arrested protesters, amid heavy snowfall. |
Protesters could be seen on live TV coverage throwing stones and fireworks towards police. At least one police officer threw a firebomb towards a burned bus. | |
The BBC's Duncan Crawford in Kiev says police have now fallen back and protesters are returning to the square. | The BBC's Duncan Crawford in Kiev says police have now fallen back and protesters are returning to the square. |
There were reports that one of those who died had been killed by a sniper, but this has not been confirmed. Another activist is said to have died in a fall, but this is also unconfirmed. | |
Many of the protesters wore red helmets, in defiance of the new laws, which ban protective headgear and masks at protests. | |
The laws also prescribe jail terms for anyone blockading public buildings and outlaw unauthorised tents in public areas. | |
Mr Azarov had warned on Tuesday: "If the provocateurs do not stop, then the authorities will have no other choice but to use force under the law to protect our people." |