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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
A shaky truce crumbled in troubled Kiev on Thursday morning, when gunfire erupted at Independence Square which has been ground zero for anti-government protesters in Ukraine.
At least 20 protesters died, said Oleg Musiy, head of the protesters' medical service. A policeman was also killed, the interior ministry said, CNN reported.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich accused pro-European opposition leaders on Wednesday of trying to seize power by force after at least 26 people died earlier in the worst violence since the former Soviet republic gained independence.
After a night of petrol bombs and gunfire on Independence Square, black smoke billowed from a burned out trade union building that protest organisers had used as a headquarters.
Security forces had occupied about a third of the square -- the part which lies closes to government offices and parliament -- with protesters pouring in to reinforce their defences on the remainder of a plaza they have dubbed "Euro-Maidan".
The protests first erupted in November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Since then, the protests spread across Ukraine, with the main demand of snap presidential and parliamentary elections, BBC reported.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Smoke rises above Independence Square during anti-government protests in central Kiev in the early hours of Tuesday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Fireworks explode near anti-government protester during clashes with riot police at the Independence Square in Kiev on Tuesday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher after clashes with riot police in the Independence Square in Kiev on Thursday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Anti-government protesters stand behind burning barricades in Kiev's Independence Square on Wednesday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Armed police take up positions during clashes with anti-government protesters in Independence Square in Kiev on Thursday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Anti-government protesters are seen outside the destroyed district police department in Lviv.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
An anti-government protester carries tyres through the rubble after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev on Thursday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
The bodies of dead anti-government protesters are seen on the pavement following clashes with riot police in Independence Square in Kiev on Thursday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Anti-government protesters use fireworks during clashes with Interior Ministry members and riot police in central Kiev on Tuesday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
Ukrainian Interior Ministry members stand in formation during clashes with anti-government protesters at Independence Square in central Kiev on Wednesday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
An anti-government protester poses for a picture inside a burnt bus at the site of clashes with Interior Ministry members and riot police in Kiev, on Wednesday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
An anti-government protester gestures as smoke engulfs the Independence Square after violence erupted in Kiev on Thursday.
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IN PHOTOS: Catastrophic violence in Ukraine protests
An anti-government protester carry the national flag as he walks trough the rubble after violence erupted in the Independence Square in Kiev on Thursday.