‘Deadly’ clashes erupt in Ukraine
Violent clashes have erupted between protesters and police in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, with at least seven people reported killed.
In the worst violence in weeks, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to stop thousands of stonethrowing protesters marching on parliament.
Security forces have given protesters a deadline of 18:00 (16:00 GMT) to end the unrest or face police action.
The clashes came as MPs were due to debate changes to the constitution.
The proposals would restore the 2004 constitution and curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych, but the opposition say they were blocked from submitting their draft.
Smoke bombs
Ukraine’s unrest began in November, when Mr Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
The unrest subsided after protesters left official buildings they had been occupying and the government granted them an amnesty.
But protest camps remain on the streets and the opposition, which insists the president must resign, had warned the government risked inflaming tensions if it failed to act.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands of protesters tried to march on the parliament building but were blocked by lines of police vehicles.
Some ripped up cobblestones to throw at police, and others threw smoke bombs. Police responded with stun and smoke grenades, and rubber bullets.
Protesters also attacked the headquarters of President Yanukovych’s Party of the Regions, temporarily smashing their way in before being forced out by police.
Emergency officials said one person - believed to be an employee - was found dead inside the burned-out offices.