Blood and black ash smeared the once-pristine floors of Kiev’s Hotel Ukraine. Dining tables, hastily shoved together, became makeshift hospital beds for the injured; the cold ground was a crude morgue. A priest knelt next to one man, offering what small comfort he could.

On the bloodiest day in modern Ukrainian history, the 12 lifeless, unnamed men who lay on the floor of the hotel lobby this morning, their bodies loosely covered with sheets, were just a few of the dozens killed in a conflict that has transformed the centre of Ukraine's capital into a brutal battleground.

The President of the Ukraine has reached a deal with opposition leaders overnight, after a collapsed truce saw violence escalate across Independence Square.

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Standing yards away from the bodies, Olga Bogomolets, one of Ukraine's leading doctors, told The Independent that they had been hit by police sniper bullets in the head, heart, lungs and neck.

Police, she said, had prevented doctors from treating the injured immediately. "We may have been able to save the lives of some of them."

Dressed all in black, their faces hidden behind balaclavas, men in police uniform were seen firing shots into the crowds that flooded the streets around the protest camp at Independence Square, also known as the Maidan. From fortified positions on the ground and on the roofs of buildings, some appeared to take time to line up their targets. Others fired indiscriminately, taking shots at groups of men recoiling under metal shields. Teams of protesters and volunteer medics carried the injured away on planks of wood.

Shape Created with Sketch. In pictures: Ukraine uprising Show all 100 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. In pictures: Ukraine uprising 1/100 Ukraine People light candles during a religious service at a church in Kiev 2/100 Ukraine A child lights a candle on a makeshift memorial to anti-government protesters killed in the past weeks' clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square 3/100 Ukraine Newly freed Ukrainian opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko speaks at Independence Square moments after parliament voted to hold early presidential elections in May. Tymoshenko received a rapturous welcome on Independence Square. 'You are heroes, you are the best of Ukraine' she told the 50,000-strong crowd before breaking down in tears 4/100 Ukraine People visit the Independence square in Kiev 5/100 Ukraine People walk by barrycades and makeshift memorials to the victims of the riots in central Kiev 6/100 Ukraine People lay flowers on the Independence Square in Kiev 7/100 Ukraine Maidan self-defence activists stand on an armored vehicle in central Kiev 8/100 Ukraine People gather for prayers and to listen to speakers in Independence Square 9/100 Ukraine A woman with a Ukrainian flag wrapped around her sholders looks on as she lights a candle at a makeshift memorial to anti-government protesters killed in the past weeks' clashes with riot police 10/100 Ukraine The body of Ustim Holodnyuk (19) who was killed in fighting between anti-government protesters and police, is carried from Independence Square in Kiev 11/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester injured during clashes with riot police receives medical care at a makeshift hospital in Kiev 12/100 Ukraine Protestors build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev 13/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters shout 'Glory to the Ukraine' as they man a barricade at Independence Square in Kiev 14/100 Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator holds a burning tire as he build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev 15/100 Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator builds a barricade with burning tires at the Independent square in Kiev 16/100 Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator throws a burning tire as he build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev 17/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev 18/100 Ukraine Protesters cheer while they managed to break police blockade in Kiev 19/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters take cover while under fire from police snipers during clashes with riot police in central Kiev 20/100 Ukraine Protesters hold petrol bombs during clashes with police in Kiev 21/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev 22/100 Ukraine Protesters walk on a puddle of blood left by a wounded demonstrator during clashes with the police in the center of Kiev 23/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester holds a firearm as he mans a barricade on the outskirts of Independence Square in Kiev 24/100 Ukraine An Otrthodox priest gestures after clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev 25/100 Ukraine An elderly protester smokes during a break in clashes with police in central Kiev 26/100 Ukraine A protestor carries food for demonstrators on the barricades during the face off against heavily-armed police in Kiev 27/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester reacts following clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev 28/100 Ukraine Two anti-government protesters use a large drum after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev 29/100 Ukraine A man plays the trumpet as anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square in Kiev 30/100 Ukraine Riot police fire at anti government demonstrators on the Independence square in Kiev 31/100 Ukraine Anti government demonstrators carry a wounded comrade during clashes with riot police on the Independence square in Kiev 32/100 Ukraine A protester shouts slogans as he stands behind barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 33/100 Ukraine A protester throws a petrol bomb as he stands behind barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 34/100 Ukraine Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation 35/100 Ukraine Protesters burn as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 36/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders in Kiev 37/100 Ukraine A protester sits on a statue while others stand on a barricade during clashes with police in Kiev 38/100 Ukraine Protesters carry a wounded protester during clashes with police, after gaining new positions near the Independence square in Kiev 39/100 Ukraine Protester carries bottles during the clashes with police in Independence square in Kiev 40/100 Ukraine Protesters walk and stand near a burning bus at the Institutskaya Street close to the central Independence Square in Kiev 41/100 Ukraine Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police in Kiev 42/100 Ukraine Protesters escort a 'captured' policeman near Independence square in Kiev 43/100 Ukraine Violent clashes erupted in Kiev following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25 44/100 Ukraine An anti-government protesters prays in Independence Square in Kiev 45/100 Ukraine Anti-government protester throws Molotov cocktail at the police in Independence Square in Kiev 46/100 Ukraine Injured anti-government protester at the Independence Square in Kiev 47/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters in Independence Square in Kiev 48/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry a roundwood as they gather in Independence Square in central Kiev 49/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester looks on as smoke from a fire rises above Independence Square in central Kiev 50/100 Ukraine Protesters at the Independence Square in Kiev 51/100 Ukraine Ukrainian protesters poured on to a central Kiev square to confront police anew after the bloodiest day since the former Soviet republic, caught in a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West, won its independence 52/100 Ukraine Interior Ministry officers walk in formation as smoke rises above Independence Square where anti-government protesters are holding a rally in central Kiev 53/100 Ukraine Smoke rises above Independence Square as clashes between anti-government protesters with Interior Ministry members and riot police continue in central Kiev 54/100 Ukraine A trade union building is seen on fire in Independence Square in central Kiev 55/100 Ukraine Interior Ministry members and riot police block a street as anti-government protesters gather in front of them amidst heavy smoke during clashes in Kiev 56/100 Ukraine Ukrainian riot police take cover behind their shields during clashes with anti-government protesters near Independence Square in Kiev 57/100 Ukraine Ukrainian riot police stand in front of the fire ring around of the Independence Square during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev EPA 58/100 Ukraine Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square as riot police 59/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images 60/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images 61/100 Ukraine Monuments to Kiev's founders burn as anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 62/100 Ukraine Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 63/100 Ukraine Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest Efrem Lukatsky/AP 64/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 65/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester runs during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 66/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest Efrem Lukatsky/AP 67/100 Ukraine Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev; smoke is visible in the sky, above the city Igor Kovalenko/EPA 68/100 Ukraine Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev Igor Kovalenko/EPA 69/100 Ukraine Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev. Police on Tuesday began an assault on the main anti-government protest camp in Kiev after a day of bloody clashes, AFP journalists at the scene said Anatolii Boiko/AFP/Getty Images 70/100 Ukraine Anti-government demonstrators stand on barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev 71/100 Ukraine An opposition demonstrator holds a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in Kiev 72/100 Ukraine Injured anti-government protesters look on a policeman during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 73/100 Ukraine Wounded people walk after clashes with riot police in central Kiev 74/100 Ukraine Anti-government female protesters help an injured comrade during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 75/100 Ukraine Injured anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 76/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry a wounded man during clashes with riot police in Kiev 77/100 Ukraine Opposition demonstrators evacuate a wounded protester during clashes with police in Kiev 78/100 Ukraine Red Cross workers give first aid to policemen wounded during clashes with anti-government protester in Kiev 79/100 Ukraine An injured anti-government protester lies on the ground during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 80/100 Ukraine Interior ministry members take cover behind shields during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev 81/100 Ukraine Opposition demonstrators stand in front of burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 82/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliment in Kiev 83/100 Ukraine A protester holds a makeshft shield in front of a burning car during clashes with police in Kiev 84/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters shield themselves during clashes with riot police in central Kiev 85/100 Ukraine Interior Ministry members are on fire, caused by molotov cocktails hurled by anti-government protesters, as they stand guard during clashes in Kiev 86/100 Ukraine Protesters clash with riot police as a rainbow appears during continuing protests in downtown Kiev 87/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clashed violently with police in central Kiev, a day after Moscow moved to cement its influence over Ukraine with $2 billion in cash to shore up the former Soviet state's heavily indebted economy 88/100 Ukraine People speak near a barricade on fire during clashes between anti-government protesters and Interior Ministry members in Kiev 89/100 Ukraine Two wounded policemen are guided to the ambulance cars during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev 90/100 Ukraine Protesters take over the main office of the ruling Ukrainian 'Party of Regions' political party in downtown Kiev 91/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters attempt to break a door inside an office of the pro-presidential Party of the Regions in Kiev 92/100 Ukraine A protester inside the main office of the ruling Ukrainian Party of Regions political party in downtown Kiev 93/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester dressed in Ukrainian national dress throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 94/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters gather by the entrance as they attack an office of the pro-presidential Party of the Regions in Kiev 95/100 Ukraine A young anti-government protester looks on during clashes with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliment in Kiev 96/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester wears a gas mask during clashes with Interior Ministry members in Kiev. Several thousand anti-government protesters clashed with police near Ukraine's parliament torching vehicles and hurling stones in the worst violence to rock the capital Kiev in more than three weeks 97/100 Ukraine Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic 98/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester threatens riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 99/100 Ukraine Protesters marched toward the parliament to demand constitutional reforms that would curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraine has been mired in political crisis since November 2013 after the government backed away from a trade agreement with the European Union and signed a 15-billion-dollar loan deal with Russia instead 100/100 Ukraine At least five anti-government protesters were killed and some 150 others injured in fresh clashes between police and demonstrators protesting near Ukraine's parliament building in Kiev 1/100 Ukraine People light candles during a religious service at a church in Kiev 2/100 Ukraine A child lights a candle on a makeshift memorial to anti-government protesters killed in the past weeks' clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square 3/100 Ukraine Newly freed Ukrainian opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko speaks at Independence Square moments after parliament voted to hold early presidential elections in May. Tymoshenko received a rapturous welcome on Independence Square. 'You are heroes, you are the best of Ukraine' she told the 50,000-strong crowd before breaking down in tears 4/100 Ukraine People visit the Independence square in Kiev 5/100 Ukraine People walk by barrycades and makeshift memorials to the victims of the riots in central Kiev 6/100 Ukraine People lay flowers on the Independence Square in Kiev 7/100 Ukraine Maidan self-defence activists stand on an armored vehicle in central Kiev 8/100 Ukraine People gather for prayers and to listen to speakers in Independence Square 9/100 Ukraine A woman with a Ukrainian flag wrapped around her sholders looks on as she lights a candle at a makeshift memorial to anti-government protesters killed in the past weeks' clashes with riot police 10/100 Ukraine The body of Ustim Holodnyuk (19) who was killed in fighting between anti-government protesters and police, is carried from Independence Square in Kiev 11/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester injured during clashes with riot police receives medical care at a makeshift hospital in Kiev 12/100 Ukraine Protestors build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev 13/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters shout 'Glory to the Ukraine' as they man a barricade at Independence Square in Kiev 14/100 Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator holds a burning tire as he build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev 15/100 Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator builds a barricade with burning tires at the Independent square in Kiev 16/100 Ukraine An anti-government demonstrator throws a burning tire as he build a barricade at the Independent square in Kiev 17/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev 18/100 Ukraine Protesters cheer while they managed to break police blockade in Kiev 19/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters take cover while under fire from police snipers during clashes with riot police in central Kiev 20/100 Ukraine Protesters hold petrol bombs during clashes with police in Kiev 21/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev 22/100 Ukraine Protesters walk on a puddle of blood left by a wounded demonstrator during clashes with the police in the center of Kiev 23/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester holds a firearm as he mans a barricade on the outskirts of Independence Square in Kiev 24/100 Ukraine An Otrthodox priest gestures after clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev 25/100 Ukraine An elderly protester smokes during a break in clashes with police in central Kiev 26/100 Ukraine A protestor carries food for demonstrators on the barricades during the face off against heavily-armed police in Kiev 27/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester reacts following clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev 28/100 Ukraine Two anti-government protesters use a large drum after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev 29/100 Ukraine A man plays the trumpet as anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square in Kiev 30/100 Ukraine Riot police fire at anti government demonstrators on the Independence square in Kiev 31/100 Ukraine Anti government demonstrators carry a wounded comrade during clashes with riot police on the Independence square in Kiev 32/100 Ukraine A protester shouts slogans as he stands behind barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 33/100 Ukraine A protester throws a petrol bomb as he stands behind barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 34/100 Ukraine Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation 35/100 Ukraine Protesters burn as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 36/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders in Kiev 37/100 Ukraine A protester sits on a statue while others stand on a barricade during clashes with police in Kiev 38/100 Ukraine Protesters carry a wounded protester during clashes with police, after gaining new positions near the Independence square in Kiev 39/100 Ukraine Protester carries bottles during the clashes with police in Independence square in Kiev 40/100 Ukraine Protesters walk and stand near a burning bus at the Institutskaya Street close to the central Independence Square in Kiev 41/100 Ukraine Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police in Kiev 42/100 Ukraine Protesters escort a 'captured' policeman near Independence square in Kiev 43/100 Ukraine Violent clashes erupted in Kiev following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25 44/100 Ukraine An anti-government protesters prays in Independence Square in Kiev 45/100 Ukraine Anti-government protester throws Molotov cocktail at the police in Independence Square in Kiev 46/100 Ukraine Injured anti-government protester at the Independence Square in Kiev 47/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters in Independence Square in Kiev 48/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry a roundwood as they gather in Independence Square in central Kiev 49/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester looks on as smoke from a fire rises above Independence Square in central Kiev 50/100 Ukraine Protesters at the Independence Square in Kiev 51/100 Ukraine Ukrainian protesters poured on to a central Kiev square to confront police anew after the bloodiest day since the former Soviet republic, caught in a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West, won its independence 52/100 Ukraine Interior Ministry officers walk in formation as smoke rises above Independence Square where anti-government protesters are holding a rally in central Kiev 53/100 Ukraine Smoke rises above Independence Square as clashes between anti-government protesters with Interior Ministry members and riot police continue in central Kiev 54/100 Ukraine A trade union building is seen on fire in Independence Square in central Kiev 55/100 Ukraine Interior Ministry members and riot police block a street as anti-government protesters gather in front of them amidst heavy smoke during clashes in Kiev 56/100 Ukraine Ukrainian riot police take cover behind their shields during clashes with anti-government protesters near Independence Square in Kiev 57/100 Ukraine Ukrainian riot police stand in front of the fire ring around of the Independence Square during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev EPA 58/100 Ukraine Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square as riot police 59/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images 60/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images 61/100 Ukraine Monuments to Kiev's founders burn as anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 62/100 Ukraine Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 63/100 Ukraine Riot police storm Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest Efrem Lukatsky/AP 64/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 65/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester runs during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square Efrem Lukatsky/AP 66/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest Efrem Lukatsky/AP 67/100 Ukraine Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev; smoke is visible in the sky, above the city Igor Kovalenko/EPA 68/100 Ukraine Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on the Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev Igor Kovalenko/EPA 69/100 Ukraine Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev. Police on Tuesday began an assault on the main anti-government protest camp in Kiev after a day of bloody clashes, AFP journalists at the scene said Anatolii Boiko/AFP/Getty Images 70/100 Ukraine Anti-government demonstrators stand on barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev 71/100 Ukraine An opposition demonstrator holds a Molotov cocktail during clashes with police in Kiev 72/100 Ukraine Injured anti-government protesters look on a policeman during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 73/100 Ukraine Wounded people walk after clashes with riot police in central Kiev 74/100 Ukraine Anti-government female protesters help an injured comrade during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 75/100 Ukraine Injured anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 76/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters carry a wounded man during clashes with riot police in Kiev 77/100 Ukraine Opposition demonstrators evacuate a wounded protester during clashes with police in Kiev 78/100 Ukraine Red Cross workers give first aid to policemen wounded during clashes with anti-government protester in Kiev 79/100 Ukraine An injured anti-government protester lies on the ground during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 80/100 Ukraine Interior ministry members take cover behind shields during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev 81/100 Ukraine Opposition demonstrators stand in front of burning barricades during clashes with police in Kiev 82/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliment in Kiev 83/100 Ukraine A protester holds a makeshft shield in front of a burning car during clashes with police in Kiev 84/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters shield themselves during clashes with riot police in central Kiev 85/100 Ukraine Interior Ministry members are on fire, caused by molotov cocktails hurled by anti-government protesters, as they stand guard during clashes in Kiev 86/100 Ukraine Protesters clash with riot police as a rainbow appears during continuing protests in downtown Kiev 87/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters clashed violently with police in central Kiev, a day after Moscow moved to cement its influence over Ukraine with $2 billion in cash to shore up the former Soviet state's heavily indebted economy 88/100 Ukraine People speak near a barricade on fire during clashes between anti-government protesters and Interior Ministry members in Kiev 89/100 Ukraine Two wounded policemen are guided to the ambulance cars during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev 90/100 Ukraine Protesters take over the main office of the ruling Ukrainian 'Party of Regions' political party in downtown Kiev 91/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters attempt to break a door inside an office of the pro-presidential Party of the Regions in Kiev 92/100 Ukraine A protester inside the main office of the ruling Ukrainian Party of Regions political party in downtown Kiev 93/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester dressed in Ukrainian national dress throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 94/100 Ukraine Anti-government protesters gather by the entrance as they attack an office of the pro-presidential Party of the Regions in Kiev 95/100 Ukraine A young anti-government protester looks on during clashes with police in front of the Ukrainian Parliment in Kiev 96/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester wears a gas mask during clashes with Interior Ministry members in Kiev. Several thousand anti-government protesters clashed with police near Ukraine's parliament torching vehicles and hurling stones in the worst violence to rock the capital Kiev in more than three weeks 97/100 Ukraine Thousands of angry anti-government protesters clashed with police in a new eruption of violence following new maneuvering by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic 98/100 Ukraine An anti-government protester threatens riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev 99/100 Ukraine Protesters marched toward the parliament to demand constitutional reforms that would curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraine has been mired in political crisis since November 2013 after the government backed away from a trade agreement with the European Union and signed a 15-billion-dollar loan deal with Russia instead 100/100 Ukraine At least five anti-government protesters were killed and some 150 others injured in fresh clashes between police and demonstrators protesting near Ukraine's parliament building in Kiev

Amid the chaos on the streets, political leaders met with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to try to stem the bloodshed. He insisted that police were not armed and "all measures to stop bloodshed and confrontation are being taken."

Soon afterwards, the acting interior minister, Vitaly Zakharchenko, issued a statement saying: "Police have been given combat weapons, which will be used in accordance with the law." The Interior Ministry warned the residents of Kiev to stay indoors because of the "armed and aggressive mood of the people".

Ukrainian authorities said that more than 75 had been killed in the clashes this week.

Some of the anti-government protesters had come to the Maidan wielding clubs, axes and guns to face off against the country's feared elite police units known as the "Berkut". Radical protesters, including members of far-right groups, have been active in the violence.

But others – the students, the young professionals, the " babushkas" (grandmothers), who had begun their protests peacefully in November – are now gathering rocks to use as ammunition for the men at the towering barricades that defend the protest camp. As fighting continued on the square, a group of six elderly women worked under the cover of a bus stop to prepare Molotov cocktails.

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"This is extremism," one of the women said, refusing to give her name. "Our president has driven us to this. No more cooking in the kitchen for us. Now we make these."

The violence that has brought the country's capital to its knees has been long in coming. Outside Ukraine, this is seen by many as a clash of East versus West, a power battle between Russian President Vladimir Putin's controlling Kremlin and an expanding EU, played out in a deeply divided post-Soviet nation. While parts of the country – mostly in its western cities – are in open revolt against Mr Yanukovych's government, many in the mostly Russian-speaking east favour strong ties with Russia.

Although the protests began after Mr Yanukovych spurned a historic trade and political deal with the EU in favour of a £9bn financial bailout from the Kremlin, for many Ukrainians this is a fight for basic freedoms.

Opposition leaders have called for the reinstatement of the country's 2004 constitution, to strip the president of sweeping powers, and they demand early elections, currently scheduled for 2015. On the streets, protesters demand the resignation of Mr Yanukovych, and elections to establish a new government, one that they hope will not unleash lethal force on its own people. Some say they want a just police force. Many say they are fighting for healthcare and education systems that do not operate on bribes.

There were some signs that Mr Yanukovych's grip on power may be slipping. Volodymyr Makeyenko, the chief of Kiev's city administration and a former Yanukovych loyalist, said that he was leaving the ruling Party of Regions. "We must be guided only by the interests of the people. This is our only chance to save people's lives," he said. Serhiy Tyhipko, another influential party member, said both Mr Yanukovych and opposition leaders had "completely lost control of the situation".

After a security scare earlier in the morning, parliament convened in the afternoon, with some pro-government MPs showing new willing to work with the opposition to find a solution to the crisis.

A few hundred yards from the Hotel Ukraine, on the freezing ground, eight more bodies were laid out on Khreschatyk Street near the Maidan. Crowds gathered around them trying to identify the faces. One or two appeared to be no more than 20 years old.

One of the wounded was reported to be a volunteer medic named as Olesya Zhukovskaya, who had sent out a brief Twitter message after being shot in the neck. It simply said: "I'm dying". She was in a serious condition after being operated on.

Unconfirmed reports put the total number of dead on both sides at more than 100 this week.

The Interior Ministry claimed that 67 police officers had been captured by protesters, although this too could not be verified. Protesters were reportedly seen leading men in police uniform around the Maidan.

EU officials said they would stay in Kiev for " a night of difficult negotiations" with Mr Yanukovych. The Kremlin, which has been applying behind-the-scenes pressure on Mr Yanukovych to crush the protests, said Mr Putin was sending the country's human rights chief Vladimir Lukin, a former ambassador to Washington, to Ukraine to act as a mediator between Mr Yanukovych and opposition leaders.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters were rebuilding the fortified barricades that surround that Maidan, in preparation for further violence.

Watch Ukrainian politicians scuffle earlier today - as violence continues in Kiev