18:27
Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of the unrest in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, where anti-government protesters are clashing with police.
Key points
- Kiev sees the worst violence since demonstrations began as police renew their assault on the main protest camp in the capital
- At least 26 people dead, officials say. The dead include at least 14 protesters, 10 police officers and a journalist
- Several hundred people have been injured on both sides
- After failed late-night talks with opposition leaders, President Viktor Yanukovych blamed them for the violence
- The protests began in November, when Mr Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia
- All times in GMT
Live text
18:29
Police have used rubber bullets and stun grenades as thousands of protesters march on parliament.
18:33
Police have begun storming the Maidan square, the focus of weeks of anti-government protests in central Kiev, local television is reporting.
18:37
This image shows a protester throwing stones as a car burns in central Kiev:
18:39
The Maidan, also known as Independence Square, has been the site of the main protest camp since November.
18:39
Maxim Eristavitweets: While Independence square is burning and stun grenades are exploding, protesters are signing national anthem. It's like a doomsday
18:40
Police officers have been throwing bricks back at protesters.
The unrest in Ukraine has been going on for months. It started in November when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. To understand all the background to the story, read our explainer here.
18:43
The protest camp in the heart of Kiev is reported to be engulfed in flames as police advance on protesters.
18:45
This image shows a masked protester in front of flames and thick smoke from burning vehicles.
