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| Ukraine crisis: Renewed Kiev assault on protesters | Ukraine crisis: Renewed Kiev assault on protesters |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police in the Ukrainian capital Kiev have launched a fresh attack on anti-government protesters as the death toll in renewed clashes has climbed to 25. | Police in the Ukrainian capital Kiev have launched a fresh attack on anti-government protesters as the death toll in renewed clashes has climbed to 25. |
| The new attempt to uproot the protest stronghold came as President Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders for the worst violence in months of unrest. | The new attempt to uproot the protest stronghold came as President Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders for the worst violence in months of unrest. |
| After failed overnight talks, he urged them to distance themselves from radical forces. | After failed overnight talks, he urged them to distance themselves from radical forces. |
| The EU says it expects to agree sanctions on those behind the violence. | The EU says it expects to agree sanctions on those behind the violence. |
| Police launched their latest assault on Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, shortly after 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT). Several tents were set ablaze, and water cannon were later used. | Police launched their latest assault on Independence Square, also known as the Maidan, shortly after 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT). Several tents were set ablaze, and water cannon were later used. |
| A BBC correspondent said police had taken control of a corner of the square for the first time since December. | A BBC correspondent said police had taken control of a corner of the square for the first time since December. |
| The protests began in late November, when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. | The protests began in late November, when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. |
| Tensions had begun to subside as recently as Monday, as protesters ended their occupation of government buildings in return for an amnesty against prosecution. | Tensions had begun to subside as recently as Monday, as protesters ended their occupation of government buildings in return for an amnesty against prosecution. |
| But violence erupted outside parliament on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers. | But violence erupted outside parliament on Tuesday morning as government supporters blocked opposition attempts to scale back the president's constitutional powers. |
| Correspondents say it was unclear what sparked the clashes, with each side blaming the other. Protesters accused pro-government agents provocateurs, known as "titushki", of inciting some of the violence while the government said radical Right Sector supporters were involved. | Correspondents say it was unclear what sparked the clashes, with each side blaming the other. Protesters accused pro-government agents provocateurs, known as "titushki", of inciting some of the violence while the government said radical Right Sector supporters were involved. |
| Fighting spread to surrounding streets and police launched a first attack on Independence Square on Tuesday evening. | Fighting spread to surrounding streets and police launched a first attack on Independence Square on Tuesday evening. |
| In a statement, the health ministry said on Wednesday the number of dead on both sides had risen to 25. It is feared the death toll could rise further. | In a statement, the health ministry said on Wednesday the number of dead on both sides had risen to 25. It is feared the death toll could rise further. |
| As police gained ground in the Maidan, stones and petrol bombs were met with tear gas. | As police gained ground in the Maidan, stones and petrol bombs were met with tear gas. |
| The protesters tried to hold their defence lines, burning tyres on the barricades and more anti-government activists were said to be on their way to join the camp. | The protesters tried to hold their defence lines, burning tyres on the barricades and more anti-government activists were said to be on their way to join the camp. |
| A trade union building where many protesters had been sheltering was set alight and people could be seen climbing down the walls to escape the flames. | A trade union building where many protesters had been sheltering was set alight and people could be seen climbing down the walls to escape the flames. |
| There were reports of unrest breaking out elsewhere in Ukraine, including the western cities of Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil. | There were reports of unrest breaking out elsewhere in Ukraine, including the western cities of Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil. |
| 'Island of freedom' | 'Island of freedom' |
| Opposition leaders Vitaly Klitschko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk met President Viktor Yanukovych for late night talks but failed to come to an agreement. | Opposition leaders Vitaly Klitschko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk met President Viktor Yanukovych for late night talks but failed to come to an agreement. |
| In a statement broadcast on TV news channels on Wednesday morning, President Yanukovych said: "The opposition leaders have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which one obtains power not on the streets or maidans - but through elections." | In a statement broadcast on TV news channels on Wednesday morning, President Yanukovych said: "The opposition leaders have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which one obtains power not on the streets or maidans - but through elections." |
| "They have crossed the line by calling for people to take up arms," he said, warning that those responsible for violence would face the law. | "They have crossed the line by calling for people to take up arms," he said, warning that those responsible for violence would face the law. |
| But the president added that there was a "better and more effective way" to solve the crisis - through dialogue and compromise. | But the president added that there was a "better and more effective way" to solve the crisis - through dialogue and compromise. |
| "It is not too late to stop the conflict," he said. | "It is not too late to stop the conflict," he said. |
| Security forces had given the protesters a deadline of 18:00 on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) to leave the square, the scene of a mostly peaceful protest camp since November. | Security forces had given the protesters a deadline of 18:00 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 piles of burning tyres. | Protesters have been resisting, throwing missiles from behind 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 Vitaly Klitschko, the leader of the Udar (Punch) party. | "This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," said Vitaly Klitschko, the leader of the Udar (Punch) party. |
| Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce". | Mr Yatsenyuk, who heads the Fatherland party, appealed to President Yanukovych to "stop the bloodshed and call a truce". |
| He had earlier accused the president of blocking attempts to reform the constitution in parliament. | He had earlier accused the president of blocking attempts to reform the constitution in parliament. |
| But MPs who support the president said the proposals had not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time was needed. | But MPs who support the president said the proposals had not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time was needed. |
| There has been widespread international alarm at the bloodshed in Kiev. | There has been widespread international alarm at the bloodshed in Kiev. |
| 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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