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| Ukraine protests: At least 22 dead amid reported 'sniper attacks' as fresh clashes erupt | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least twenty-two people in Ukraine have reportedly died as police appeared to fire live rounds at anti-government protesters embroiled in fresh clashes this morning. | At least twenty-two people in Ukraine have reportedly died as police appeared to fire live rounds at anti-government protesters embroiled in fresh clashes this morning. |
| The country's interior ministry said protesters are holding 67 policemen hostage in the capital. Earlier the ministry said "Berkut" riot policemen had been armed with combat weapons, an attempt to regain control of violent protests in which at least 50 people have died since Tuesday. | |
| "To free the hostages police have the right to use their weapons," the ministry said in a statement posted to its website. | |
| Eyewitnesses told The Associated Press they had seen 22 bodies near the main protest camp, and a police officer is believed to be among those dead. Dozens of protesters have been using the lobby of a hotel as a triage centre to treat the wounded. | Eyewitnesses told The Associated Press they had seen 22 bodies near the main protest camp, and a police officer is believed to be among those dead. Dozens of protesters have been using the lobby of a hotel as a triage centre to treat the wounded. |
| At least 50 people in total have been killed in the escalating violence this week after a truce with opposition leaders collapsed. Shocking video footage has emerged today claiming to show snipers firing at protesters, some of which appear lying on the pavement. | |
| Anti-government protesters hold riot policemen (C) captive Witnesses have reported live rounds being fired, protesters have been throwing petrol bombs and police have been responding with water cannons and tear gas. | |
| Kiev's mayor has resigned over the bloodshed and residents in the capital are being told to stay indoors by Ukrainian police, according to AFP. EU foreign ministers will meet later to discuss sanctions on those responsible for violence in the capital. Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague will be among those present. | Kiev's mayor has resigned over the bloodshed and residents in the capital are being told to stay indoors by Ukrainian police, according to AFP. EU foreign ministers will meet later to discuss sanctions on those responsible for violence in the capital. Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague will be among those present. |
| President Viktor Yanukovich has released a statement accusing protesters of "going on the offensive" and "working in organised groups". | |
| "They are using firearms, including sniper rifles" the statement said. "They are shooting to kill. The number of dead and injured among police officers is dozens." | "They are using firearms, including sniper rifles" the statement said. "They are shooting to kill. The number of dead and injured among police officers is dozens." |
| An anti-government protester shows a bullet after violence erupted in the Independence Square (Reuters) The Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska announced she will be withdrawing from the Olympics in response to the violence in her country, with her father saying she did so in "solidarity with the fighters." | |
| TV pictures showed protesters seizing back Independence Square and surging forward into areas that were on Wednesday occupied by riot police after a day of violence. | TV pictures showed protesters seizing back Independence Square and surging forward into areas that were on Wednesday occupied by riot police after a day of violence. |
| The French, German and Polish foreign ministers have not left Kiev today without seeing the President after the violence broke out, as previously reported by diplomatic sources. | |
| They had been preparing to hold crisis talks over the escalating violence in Ukraine an EU meeting in Brussels to determine whether to impose sanctions. "They are meeting him now," one diplomat said. | They had been preparing to hold crisis talks over the escalating violence in Ukraine an EU meeting in Brussels to determine whether to impose sanctions. "They are meeting him now," one diplomat said. |
| The EU talks come after Ukraine’s president had announced a truce with the opposition. | The EU talks come after Ukraine’s president had announced a truce with the opposition. |
| President Barack Obama had warned “there will be consequences” for Ukraine if the violence continues, but expressed hope that the truce would hold. | |
| Responding cautiously to Mr Yanukovych’s statement, President Obama deemed the truce a “welcome step forward,” but said the White House would continue to monitor the situation closely to “ensure that actions mirror words.” | Responding cautiously to Mr Yanukovych’s statement, President Obama deemed the truce a “welcome step forward,” but said the White House would continue to monitor the situation closely to “ensure that actions mirror words.” |
| Protesters carry a wounded fellow protester Many victims of the violence died after swathes of central Kiev were transformed into fiery battlefields on Tuesday when police attacked the anti-government protest camps which have occupied Independence Square for nearly three months. | |
| Mr Yanukovych declared Thursday a day of mourning for the dead. | Mr Yanukovych declared Thursday a day of mourning for the dead. |
| On Wednesday, EU ambassadors discussed a series of possible steps including asset freezes and travel bans in talks on Wednesday, even though some diplomats have doubts about the effectiveness of such sanctions. | On Wednesday, EU ambassadors discussed a series of possible steps including asset freezes and travel bans in talks on Wednesday, even though some diplomats have doubts about the effectiveness of such sanctions. |
| “The European Union will respond to the deterioration on the ground, including via targeted measures,” European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement, while holding out the possibility of trade and political agreement with Ukraine if it meets goals agreed on with the EU. | “The European Union will respond to the deterioration on the ground, including via targeted measures,” European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement, while holding out the possibility of trade and political agreement with Ukraine if it meets goals agreed on with the EU. |
| Late on Wednesday, Washington also imposed US visa bans on 20 Ukrainian government officials it considered “responsible for ordering human rights abuses related to political oppression,” a senior State Department official announced. | Late on Wednesday, Washington also imposed US visa bans on 20 Ukrainian government officials it considered “responsible for ordering human rights abuses related to political oppression,” a senior State Department official announced. |
| Additional reporting by Reuters and Associated Press | Additional reporting by Reuters and Associated Press |