Police confirm death of one man – reportedly shot four times – as medics speak of second fatality in Kiev clashes

Two people were reported dead in Kiev on Wednesday morning, as police began to move in on protesters who have occupied the centre of the capital.

Following reports of the deaths, Ukraine's prime minister, Mykola Azarov, said terrorists were threatening the lives of ordinary citizens in Kiev, and the "criminal" actions of protesters would be punished.

A 30-year-old man died after being shot four times by riot police, Oleg Musiy, the protest's medical co-ordinator said, adding that the man had been hit in "the neck, head and chest". He said the body had been brought to the main protest camp on Independence Square, where experts would determine whether rubber bullets or real ones had been used. Video footage showed a body, wrapped in blankets, being loaded into an ambulance while protesters sang the national anthem.

Medics also spoke of a second death, although the police have so far only confirmed one fatality. Another man was seriously injured after falling from a tree and was taken to hospital.

Early on Wednesday morning, amid a swirling blizzard, police began to storm the impromptu barricades on Hrushevskogo Street, where clashes have been ongoing since Sunday evening. Protesters initially withdrew, but later returned and hurled stones and molotov cocktails at police.

As Kiev awoke and more people swelled the ranks of the protesters, it was unclear whether the police were preparing for a big attempt to clear Independence Square and the rest of central Kiev of protesters.

Azarov told Russian television the police would use force if necessary to disperse protesters: "If the provocateurs do not stop, then the authorities will be left with no other choice."

Kiev has been gripped by protest for two months, with people initially rallying against the decision by the president, Viktor Yanukovych, not to sign an integration agreement with the EU.

A new law came into effect on Tuesday that imposes harsh restrictions on freedom of assembly and provides jail terms of up to 15 years for "participating in mass riots". On Wednesday morning the police repeatedly told protesters through loudspeakers that their actions were "a grave violation of the law" and asked them to disperse.

Yanukovych has promised talks with opposition leaders but has not set a date. On Tuesday former heavyweight boxer and opposition leader Vitali Klitschko went to see the president but was told he was busy. The political opposition has condemned the violence, but is rapidly losing control of the angrier elements of the crowd.