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| Ukraine crisis: President blames opposition for deadly clashes | Ukraine crisis: President blames opposition for deadly clashes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych has blamed opposition leaders for the latest upsurge of violence in Kiev, which has left at least 18 people dead. | Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych has blamed opposition leaders for the latest upsurge of violence in Kiev, which has left at least 18 people dead. |
| After failed overnight talks with the opposition, Mr Yanukovych urged its leaders to "distance themselves from radical forces", saying it was "not too late to stop the conflict". | |
| Riot police are continuing to storm the main anti-government protest camp. | Riot police are continuing to storm the main anti-government protest camp. |
| Activists blamed the authorities for the worst violence in months of unrest. | |
| Explosions are taking place, fireworks are being thrown and large fires can been seen on Independence Square - known as the Maidan. | Explosions are taking place, fireworks are being thrown and large fires can been seen on Independence Square - known as the Maidan. |
| The latest assault began shortly after 04:00 local time, when the police tried to move on the protesters' tents. Several were set ablaze. | The latest assault began shortly after 04:00 local time, when the police tried to move on the protesters' tents. Several were set ablaze. |
| 'Island of freedom' | 'Island of freedom' |
| Security forces had given protesters a deadline of 18:00 local time on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) to leave the square, the scene of a mostly peaceful protest camp since November. | Security forces had given protesters a deadline of 18:00 local time on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) to leave the square, the scene of a mostly peaceful protest camp since November. |
| When the deadline expired, riot police advanced with an armoured vehicle, dismantling barricades and firing stun grenades and water cannon. | When the deadline expired, riot police advanced with an armoured vehicle, dismantling barricades and firing stun grenades and water cannon. |
| Protesters have been resisting, throwing missiles from behind huge piles of burning tyres. | Protesters have been resisting, throwing missiles from behind huge piles of burning tyres. |
| In speeches from the main stage through the night, protest leaders urged people already on the Maidan to stand firm, and called on Ukrainians elsewhere to come to the square. | In speeches from the main stage through the night, protest leaders urged people already on the Maidan to stand firm, and called on Ukrainians elsewhere to come to the square. |
| "This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Mr Klitschko. | "This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Mr Klitschko. |
| Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce". | Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce". |
| Foreign governments have called for an immediate halt of violence, urging political dialogue. | Foreign governments have called for an immediate halt of violence, urging political dialogue. |
| Ukraine's unrest began in November, when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. | Ukraine's unrest began in November, when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. |
| But the opposition demands later widened to include what it describes as widespread corruption and abuse of power. | But the opposition demands later widened to include what it describes as widespread corruption and abuse of power. |
| The authorities deny the claim, saying the opposition wants to use the protest to illegitimately seize power. | The authorities deny the claim, saying the opposition wants to use the protest to illegitimately seize power. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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