Several Observers talk of hooded individuals acting suspiciously in protests in Kiev. Photo taken by our Observateur Maxym Kudimets .

Since anti-government protests first broke out in Kiev, social media networks have been awash with rumours that so-called 'agent provocateurs' are provoking disorder in order to tarnish the image of the protest movement. Several amateur videos and photos appear to indicate that these individuals could be linked to Ukraine's ruling party.

Despite a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in the government (which ultimately failed to gain the backing of a majority of MPs) and the restarting of negotiations with the European Union, protesters continue to demand the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych.

The protesters have tried to model themselves on 2004’s largely peaceful Orange Revolution. Despite their efforts, violence has broken out several times over the weekend. On Sunday, clashes between security forces and protesters left dozens of people injured, including around 50 journalists, scores of students, and hundreds of police officers. Some activists accuse individuals close to pro-Russian extreme right-wing parties of orchestrating the violence . Others assert that people are being paid to provoke disorder