67 confirmed dead in Ukraine violence

Kiev, Feb 21: At least 67 people have been killed in three days of violence in Ukranian capital city, the Kiev City Administration confirmed on Thursday, adding 551 people suffered injuries of which 332 have been hospitalised since Tuesday.

There were 22 bodies of other demonstrators in a camp where medics treat wounded activists, Xinhua quoted witnessing telling a TV channel.

Moreover, the country's Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko said that at least 13 police officers have been killed and 67 captured by radical demonstrators since Tuesday.

Zakharchenko also said that police had been issued with combat weapons and would use them "in accordance with the law" to defend themselves.

Protests in Kiev began in November after President Viktor Yanukovych backtracked on a trade deal with the European Union and rather preferred a $15bn bailout from Russia. They turned violent in mid-January and have been remarkably escalating this week.

In Kiev

Anti-government protesters man a barricade at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Fearing that a call for a truce was a ruse, protesters tossed firebombs and advanced upon police lines Thursday in Ukraine's embattled capital. Government snipers shot back and the almost medieval melee that ensued left scores of people dead.

In Kiev

An anti-government protester fires an improvised weapon during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine.

In Kiev

Protesters guard the barricade in front of riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. Ukrainian protesters lambasted parliament.

In Kiev

Anti-government protesters rally near the parliament building in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. senior U.S. diplomat has arrived in the Ukrainian capital to try to help find a resolution to the protests and political crisis that have gripped the country for more than two months. The U.S. Embassy says Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland is to meet President Viktor Yanukovych and leaders of the opposition during her two days in Kiev.

In Kiev

An opposition supporter guards a barricade in central Kiev, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Ukraine.

In Kiev

Protesters face a cordon of riot police at the barricade in central Kiev, Ukraine.

In Kiev

Opposition leader and former WBC heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, left, addresses protesters near the barricades between police and protesters in central Kiev.

In Kiev

A protester aims fireworks at police during clashes, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014. Thick black smoke from burning tires engulfed parts of downtown Kiev as an ultimatum issued by the opposition to the president to call early elections or face street rage was set to expire with no sign of a compromise.

In Kiev

Protesters clash with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Anti-government protests in Ukraine's capital escalated into fiery street battles with police Sunday as thousands of demonstrators hurled rocks and firebombs to set police vehicles ablaze.

IANS