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Ukraine unrest: At least 21 protesters dead in clashes | Ukraine unrest: At least 21 protesters dead in clashes |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 21 protesters have been reported killed by security forces in Kiev following the breakdown of a truce agreed on Wednesday. | |
Witnesses have told the BBC that some died as a result of single gunshot wounds, typical of sniper fire. | Witnesses have told the BBC that some died as a result of single gunshot wounds, typical of sniper fire. |
Officials said that one policeman had died and that 67 police troops had been captured by protesters. | |
Meanwhile, three European Union foreign ministers have been meeting President Viktor Yanukovych. | |
The foreign ministers of France, Poland and Germany will now stay in Kiev while their EU counterparts convene at an emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss possible sanctions. | |
Eyewitnesses have told international news agencies that they have counted between 21 and 27 protesters' bodies after clashes in Kiev. | Eyewitnesses have told international news agencies that they have counted between 21 and 27 protesters' bodies after clashes in Kiev. |
Video footage has emerged apparently showing snipers firing on demonstrators who had been trying to retake their protest camp in Independence Square. | Video footage has emerged apparently showing snipers firing on demonstrators who had been trying to retake their protest camp in Independence Square. |
Officials said more than 20 policemen had also been injured. | |
Witnesses reported live rounds, petrol bombs and water cannon being used at Independence Square during this morning's clashes. | |
An opposition Twitter feed posted an image of 13 bodies in a makeshift mortuary in the lobby of the Hotel Ukraine. | |
The hotel is serving as the base for all foreign media in Kiev, including the BBC. Gunshots pierced the windows of rooms used by the BBC and Sky News. | The hotel is serving as the base for all foreign media in Kiev, including the BBC. Gunshots pierced the windows of rooms used by the BBC and Sky News. |
Earlier, several dozen protesters were using the lobby as a triage centre for the wounded, and a priest arrived, says the BBC's Kevin Bishop, at the scene. | Earlier, several dozen protesters were using the lobby as a triage centre for the wounded, and a priest arrived, says the BBC's Kevin Bishop, at the scene. |
Protesters - some of them armed - asked hotel guests for blankets to use as bandages. | Protesters - some of them armed - asked hotel guests for blankets to use as bandages. |
A statement on the presidential website blames the opposition for starting the violence, saying the "calls for a truce and dialogue were nothing but a way of playing for time to mobilise and arm militants from Maidan [Independence Square]". | A statement on the presidential website blames the opposition for starting the violence, saying the "calls for a truce and dialogue were nothing but a way of playing for time to mobilise and arm militants from Maidan [Independence Square]". |
Opposition leaders called the violence "an act of provocation" by the authorities. | Opposition leaders called the violence "an act of provocation" by the authorities. |
Possible sanctions | Possible sanctions |
The talks between EU foreign ministers and Mr Yanukovych were moved from their original location, for security reasons, officials said, and were at first reported cancelled. | The talks between EU foreign ministers and Mr Yanukovych were moved from their original location, for security reasons, officials said, and were at first reported cancelled. |
Other EU foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton have begun arriving in Brussels for an emergency meeting. | |
Sanctions on Ukraine are likely to be discussed, including a possible ban on sales of equipment that could be used for internal repression. | Sanctions on Ukraine are likely to be discussed, including a possible ban on sales of equipment that could be used for internal repression. |
Separately, the head of the Kiev city administration resigned from Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions. | Separately, the head of the Kiev city administration resigned from Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions. |
Thursday had been declared a day of mourning for those killed in clashes on Tuesday. | Thursday had been declared a day of mourning for those killed in clashes on Tuesday. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
Visa bans | Visa bans |
The EU has so far refrained from imposing sanctions on Ukraine, preferring to stress dialogue and compromise. | The EU has so far refrained from imposing sanctions on Ukraine, preferring to stress dialogue and compromise. |
For its part, the US state department announced visa bans on 20 members of the Ukrainian government but did not provide any names. | For its part, the US state department announced visa bans on 20 members of the Ukrainian government but did not provide any names. |
The media wing of the opposition Udar party, led by former boxer Vitaly Klitschko, said the next round of negotiations with President Yanukovych would resume later on Thursday. | The media wing of the opposition Udar party, led by former boxer Vitaly Klitschko, said the next round of negotiations with President Yanukovych would resume later on Thursday. |
It is not yet clear whether these talks will go ahead. | It is not yet clear whether these talks will go ahead. |
The far-right Right Sector protest movement said it had not signed up to the truce and there was "nothing to negotiate". | The far-right Right Sector protest movement said it had not signed up to the truce and there was "nothing to negotiate". |
The protests first erupted in November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. | The protests first erupted in November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. |
Since then, the protests spread across Ukraine, with the main demand of snap presidential and parliamentary elections. | Since then, the protests spread across Ukraine, with the main demand of snap presidential and parliamentary elections. |
Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Ukraine'. | Are you in Ukraine? Have you seen or taken part in any of the protests? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Ukraine'. |
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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