Photo Gallery The Disintegration of Kiev
The ceasefire in Ukraine didn't last long, crumbling on Thursday into a fierce battle between government security forces and protesters. Gunfire has led to over 20 deaths. Here, protesters burn as they stand behind barricades in Kiev on Thursday.
The Associated Press is reporting at least 22 deaths on Thursday in Kiev amid fierce gun battles.
A protester stands behind barricades on the streets of Kiev on Thursday morning. The death toll for the week is now thought to have topped 50.
Huge clouds of black smoke billowed above Independence Square. Several reports indicate that government snipers were responsible for many of the deaths on Thursday. Gunfire came from the ranks of the opposition as well.
A ceasefire was agreed to on Wednesday, but it didn't last long. Here, protesters cower behind shields on Independence Square. Reports indicate that several police have also lost their lives amid gunfire.
The renewed violence come as the foreign ministers from Germany, France and Poland are in Kiev for talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders.
Dead bodies on the streets of Kiev. Europe has agreed on sanctions against those in government responsible for the violence.
A protester preparing to advance across burning barricades. Demonstrators are armed with paving stones and Molotov cocktails. Some gunfire reportedly came from the ranks off the protesters as well.
Protesters took many riot police prisoner on Thursday as well.
A man shows a bullet and empty casings amid the clashes in Kiev on Thursday. The Russians have referred to the protests as an attempted coup.
Demonstrators have demanded that Yanukovych step down and that new elections be held. The protests started in November when Yanukovych backed away from closer ties to Europe.
Riot police firing at anti-government protesters on Thursday morning. The mayor of Kiev, a member of Yanukovych's party, has stepped down in protest at the violence.
Russia continues to support the Yanukovych regime and has referred to the protests as an attempted coup as called it a "brown revolution," a clear reference to the Nazis rise to power in Germany in 1933.
Demonstrators escort a captured policeman away from Independence Square on Thursday.
The chaos in Kiev has led many athletes from the Ukrainian Olympic team to abandon the Games and return home.
Armed police take up positions around Independence Square on Thursday morning.
Protesters filling bags to build new barricades during clashes with police in the heart of Kiev on Thursday.
