Ukraine Protesters 'Shot Dead By Police'

Three people have reportedly died during clashes between police and protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

Medical staff in the city told Sky News that two had died after being shot, and one after falling from a height.

Police threw stun grenades and broke through protesters' barricades, made from burnt-out buses, early on Wednesday morning.

Some protesters lobbed petrol bombs at police as fighting continued on the city's snow-covered streets.

The latest violence follows three nights of clashes that have left hundreds wounded in the Ukrainian capital.

A man holds a petrol bomb during fighting with police on Wednesday

Sky News' Moscow Correspondent Katie Stallard said protesters claim one of the dead was killed by a police sniper in the early hours.

A criminal investigation has also started after prosecutors said live ammunition had been used - a claim which authorities deny.

One of the dead protesters was named locally as Serhiy Nihoyna.

Image said to show one of the dead, Serhiy Nihoyna (Pic: Serhiy Proskurnia)

Tensions in the country have reached boiling point after several months of protests over President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign a new deal bringing the country closer to the European Union.

Mr Yanukovych instead opted for closer ties with former communist master Russia.

Tough new anti-protest laws have also been rushed through to try to bring the situation under control, but have only increased protesters' anger.

Opposition parties and the government both put out statements blaming each another for the deaths.

Protesters take cover during clashes on Kiev's snow-covered streets

"The Interior Minister, the bloody murderer (Vitali) Zakharchenko, bears personal responsibility for this act of terror of dictatorship against citizens," the parties said.

But Ukraine's prime minister, Mykola Azarov, called the protesters "terrorists" and said the casualties were their responsibility.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday warned the situation was spiralling out of control.

Opposition politicians, including former world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, have repeatedly appealed for calm since protests turned violent on Sunday.

Police are not to blame for the deaths, says the Ukrainian government

Some 200,000 took to the streets at the weekend in a show of anger over the new anti-protest laws rushed through by President Yanukovych.

The laws allow for jail terms of up to five years for those who blockade public buildings. They also ban protesters from wearing masks or helmets.

The president agreed to negotiate with the opposition following a meeting with Mr Klitschko over the weekend, however no such talks have yet been held.

:: Watch the latest updates live on Sky News on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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