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At least three protesters killed as Kiev clashes continue At least three protesters killed as Kiev clashes continue
(35 minutes later)
At least three protestors have been in killed in violent protests in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday as the ministry of defence ordered demonstrators to put an immediate stop to efforts to occupy government buildings near parliament. At least three demonstrators have been killed in violent protests in the Ukrainian capital as the defence ministry ordered demonstrators to halt efforts to occupy government buildings near parliament.
Lesya Orobets, an MP with the opposition Batkivshchyna party, said she had seen bodies lying in the officers' club building – a cultural centre for the military – along with others who had been seriously injured.Lesya Orobets, an MP with the opposition Batkivshchyna party, said she had seen bodies lying in the officers' club building – a cultural centre for the military – along with others who had been seriously injured.
"Three bodies of our supporters are in the building. Another seven are close to dying (because of wounds)," she said in a Facebook post. "Three bodies of our supporters are in the building. Another seven are close to dying [because of wounds]," she said in a Facebook post.
Right Sector - a radical rightwing group - published a picture of two bodies of protesters on its page on the social network Vkontakte. The radical rightwing group Right Sector published a picture of two bodies of protesters on its page on the social network Vkontakte.
Police confirmed they are investigating reports that one person had been killed. If reports of three deaths are confirmed, it would take the total death toll of protestors to nine since November, when the protests first erupted. Police confirmed they are investigating reports that one person had been killed. If reports of three deaths are confirmed, it would take the total death toll of protesters to nine since November, when the demonstrations first erupted.
Russia blamed the west on Tuesday for an escalation of tension in Ukraine, saying it was a "direct result of connivance by western politicians and European structures that have shut their eyes … on the aggressive actions of radical forces".Russia blamed the west on Tuesday for an escalation of tension in Ukraine, saying it was a "direct result of connivance by western politicians and European structures that have shut their eyes … on the aggressive actions of radical forces".
In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry called on the Ukrainian opposition to "refrain from threats and ultimatums and establish a substantive dialogue with the authorities with the aim of extricating the country from deep crisis." In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry called on the Ukrainian opposition to "refrain from threats and ultimatums and establish a substantive dialogue with the authorities with the aim of extricating the country from deep crisis".
Moscow's rebuke came as hundreds of Ukrainian protesters threw rocks at police outside parliament and opposition politicians accused the government of stalling on constitutional reform that would diminish the president's powers.Moscow's rebuke came as hundreds of Ukrainian protesters threw rocks at police outside parliament and opposition politicians accused the government of stalling on constitutional reform that would diminish the president's powers.
Responding to clashes between police and protesters near parliament on Tuesday morning, opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko urged the president, Viktor Yanukovich, to remove riot police from the streets to head off further "conflict in society". Responding to clashes near parliament on Tuesday morning, opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko urged the president, Viktor Yanukovich, to remove riot police from the streets to head off further "conflict in society".
"I am appealing to the president. Take the Berkut [Ukrainian riot police] and interior forces off the streets. Do this and it will provide a way out. It will be the decision of a real man," Klitschko told journalists inside parliament."I am appealing to the president. Take the Berkut [Ukrainian riot police] and interior forces off the streets. Do this and it will provide a way out. It will be the decision of a real man," Klitschko told journalists inside parliament.
Clashes broke out when protesters confronted police about 100 metres from parliament, torched three police trucks with petrol bombs and were forced back by police firing rubber bullets, stun and smoke grenades. Clashes broke out when protesters confronted police about 100 metres from parliament and set alight three police trucks with petrol bombs only to be forced back by police firing rubber bullets, stun and smoke grenades.
The latest confrontation came as a session to discuss reform was delayed, and two days after protesters left a government building they had been occupying in Kiev after the release of scores of jailed activists.The latest confrontation came as a session to discuss reform was delayed, and two days after protesters left a government building they had been occupying in Kiev after the release of scores of jailed activists.
Police responded with tear gas as smoke from burning tyres billowed over Kiev. The violence dimmed hope for an imminent solution to the nearly three month-long crisis. Police responded with teargas as smoke from burning tyres billowed over Kiev. The violence dimmed hope for an imminent solution to the nearly three month-long crisis.
Opposition parties accuse Yankovych's party of stalling reforms that would give parliament greater powers.