Ukraine: Fatalities in Kiev clashes

Violent clashes have erupted between protesters and police in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, with at least seven people reported killed.

In the worst violence in weeks, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to stop thousands of stone-throwing protesters marching on parliament.

Security forces have given protesters a deadline of 18h (16h GMT) to end the unrest or face police action.

The clashes came as MPs were due to debate changes to the constitution.

The proposals would restore the 2004 constitution and curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych, but the opposition say they were blocked from submitting their draft.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was "deeply worried" by the escalation of violence, and urged politicians to "address the root causes".

"Political leaders must now assume their shared responsibility to rebuild trust and create the conditions for an effective solution to the political crisis," she said.

Russia blamed the upsurge in violence on "connivance by Western politicians and European structures" and their refusal to consider the "aggressive actions of radical forces".

Ukraine's unrest began in November, when Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

The unrest subsided after protesters left official buildings they had been occupying and the government granted them an amnesty.

But protest camps remain on the streets and the opposition, which insists the president must resign, had warned the government risked inflaming tensions if it failed to act.

Some ripped up cobblestones to throw at police, and others threw smoke bombs. Police responded with stun and smoke grenades, and rubber bullets.

Protesters also attacked the headquarters of President Yanukovych's Party of the Regions, temporarily smashing their way in before being forced out by police.

Emergency officials said one person - believed to be an employee - was found dead inside the burned-out offices.

The bodies of three protesters were inside a building close to parliament. A number of medical workers operating in opposition field hospitals gave the same number of dead.

Another three bodies were seen lying in the street.

Police have also converged on the edges of Independence Square, the site of the main protest camp since November. The entire Kiev metro has been shut down.

Earlier on Tuesday (18 February), there were scuffles in parliament as the opposition tried to submit a draft resolution on reinstating the 2004 constitution.

The changes would mean President Yanukovych losing some of the powers he has gained since his election in 2010, including the power to appoint the prime minister and most cabinet members. They could also lead to snap presidential elections.

MPs who support the president say the proposals have not been thoroughly discussed, and that more time is needed.

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