Ukrainian protests grow more violent

Protesters clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014, as an ultimatum issued by the opposition to the president was set to expire with no sign of a compromise on Thursday.

They demanded that President Yanukovych dismiss the government, call early elections and scrap harsh anti-protest legislation that triggered the violence.

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Opposition leader and former WBC heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, center, addresses protesters near the burning barricades between police and protesters in central Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.

Klitschko dove behind the wall of black smoke engulfing much of downtown Kiev on Thursday, pleading with both police and protesters to uphold the peace until the ultimatum, demanding that Yanukovych dismiss the government, call early elections and scrap harsh anti-protest legislation that triggered the violence.

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Police and protestors clash in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2013.

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Protesters clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

At least two demonstrators have died in clashes between protesters and police in the Ukrainian capital Wednesday, according to medics on the site, in a development that will likely escalate Ukraine's two month-long political crisis.

The mass protests in the capital of Kiev erupted after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych spurned a pact with the European Union in favor of close ties with Russia, which offered him a $15 billion bailout.

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A pro-European protester throws a burning tire during clashes with riot policemen in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Fires burn in downtown Kiev as protestors clash with police forces, Jan. 22, 2014.

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A protester throws tires onto a fire during a clash with police in central Kiev, 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 election or face street rage was set to expire with no sign of a compromise on Thursday.

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Ukranian police troops are seen at the site of clashes with pro-European integration protesters in Kiev, Jan. 23, 2014.

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Police and protestors clash in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Protesters use a large slingshot to hurl a Molotov cocktail at police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 23, 2014.

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Protesters throw stones and tires during clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Police prepare to clash with protesters in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Tires burn in the street, set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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A pro-European protester throws a Molotov cocktail towards riot police during clashes in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Wednesday anti-government protests had brought "terrorists" on to the streets and warned that all "criminal actions" would be punished.

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Tires burn in the street, set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Tires burn in the street set alight by protesters in clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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A police officer aims his shotgun during clashes with protesters in central Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Riot police block a street, as stones used by pro-European integration protesters in recent demonstrations lie on the ground, in Kiev, Jan. 21, 2014.

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Pro-European protesters take cover during clashes with Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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A pro-European protester throws a burning tire during clashes with riot policemen in Kiev, Jan. 22, 2014.

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Protesters use fireworks during clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 21, 2014.

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Pro-European integration protesters carry Molotov cocktails during clashes with police in Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 20, 2014.

Ukraine's two-month-long political crisis has shifted into a new phase after President Viktor Yanukovych pushed through harsh anti-protest laws last week that were widely seen as an attempt to quash the demonstrations calling for his ouster.

Massive protests in Kiev, the capital, erupted after Yanukovych spurned a pact with the European Union in favor of close ties with Russia, which offered him a $15 billion bailout.

Protesters clashed with riot police in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday after tough anti-protest legislation, which the political opposition says paves the way for a police state, was rushed through parliament last week.

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Opposition supporters move a heavy truck torched by protesters overnight to build a new barricade in central Kiev, Jan. 21, 2014. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko headed for talks with the Ukrainian president on Tuesday after yet another night of violent street clashes between anti-government protesters and police.

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A protester stands on top of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Jan. 21, 2014.

After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.

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Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades in central Kiev with the sound of stun grenades heard in the freezing air as police try to quell anti-government street protests.

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A pro-European integration protester catches fire during clashes with police in Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich named a top aide to organize peace talks with the opposition after violent clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, but the opposition warned him on Monday not to play for time.

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Ukranian riot police take cover behind their shields during clashes with pro-European integration protesters in Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

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A pro-European integration protester aims his pneumatic gun towards riot police during clashes in Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

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A pro-European integration protester stands with a national flag on a barricade during a rally in Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

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An opposition supporter wearing a mask stands on a roof with police lines in the background in central Kiev, Jan. 21, 2014.

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Ukrainian riot police react after being hit by a petrol bomb during clashes with pro-European integration protesters in Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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Pro-European protesters gather around burning vehicles during clashes with Ukrainian riot police in Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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A protester swings a baton towards a burning police car during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

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Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

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Opposition leader and former WBC heavyweight boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko tries to stop the fighting between opposition protesters and riot police in central Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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A protester throws a burning flare during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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Opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko (C) reacts after he was sprayed with a powder fire extinguisher during a pro-European integration rally in Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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A pro-European integration protester injured during clashes with Ukranian riot police receives treatment in Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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A protester throws a missile at Ukrainian riot police during a pro-European integration rally in Kiev, Jan. 19, 2014.

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A protester throws a Molotov cocktail during unrest in central Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.

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Gathered protesters clash with police in central Kiev, Jan. 20, 2014.