Nine people died earlier today in mass protests over Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovich’s dictatorial rule and his decision to side with Russia instead of the European Union.
A police spokeswoman said seven civilians and two policemen had died in Tuesday’s clashes.
Earlier the State Security Service (SBU), in a joint statement with the interior ministry, had set protesters a 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) deadline to end street disorder or face “tough measures”.
Forces loyal to the Russian-backed president broke through front-line barricades near the Dynamo Kiev soccer stadium and advanced to the edge of the occupied Independence Square. They were met after nightfall with a hail of petrol bombs and fireworks, responding with bursts of water cannon.