A coach carrying pro-government demonstrators was stopped just outside Kiev and boarded by riot police, according to anti-government activist Dmitriy Belotserkovets . Despite the passengers shouting "we're on the same side as you", police proceeded to beat them up, he said.

Realising their mistake, the police allowed the bloodied demonstrators to continue on their way, Belotserkovets said.

Anti-government protesters have been camping out in Kiev for more than two months since the government halted efforts to integrate with the EU. Residents of eastern Ukraine are said to have been bussed into Kiev and paid to rally in support of the government.