Images of turmoil, injury and death have been flowing from Ukraine, a country shaken by its bloodiest unrest since Soviet times.
Dozens have died in clashes between police and protesters, including a gun battle in the centre of Kiev, after some three months of anti-government demonstrations reached their deadliest pitch.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Hours of fierce fighting in Kiev's Independence Square, which was recaptured by anti-government protesters, left bodies strewn on the ground.
Riot police were captured on video shooting from a rooftop at demonstrators in the plaza.
Protesters hurled petrol bombs and paving stones to drive the security forces off a corner of the square the police had captured in battles that began on two days earlier.
Video of the clashes on the edge of the Kiev square also showed riot policemen firing bursts from automatic rifles on the run as they covered retreating colleagues. An opposition militant in a helmet was filmed firing from behind a tree.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Stringer
In the image above, anti-government protesters detain a wounded policeman during the fighting in Independence Square.
Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko said police had been issued with combat weapons and would use them "in accordance with the law" to defend themselves - or to free 67 of their colleagues his ministry said were being held captive.
Demonstrators said captured police had been allowed to go.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
The bloodshed, in which both sides used firearms, traumatised many in the Ukraine, where a 2004-05 Orange Revolution for democracy passed off largely peacefully.
It also heightened concern voiced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that Ukraine could descend into civil war or split between the pro-European west and Russian-speaking east.
In a bid to end the crisis, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on February 21 signed an agreement with three opposition leaders.
The deal sets out plans to hold early presidential elections, form a national unity government and revert to the 2004 constitution, removing some of the president’s powers.
1 / 19
Slideshow
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Anti-government protesters throw missiles during clashes with riot police in Independence Square.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Reuters Photographer
A protester shoots an improvised device during fighting in the plaza.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
Anti-government protesters carry an injured man on a stretcher as flames flare.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Maks Levin
Riot police attack anti-government protesters.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vlad Sodel
Two men, their faces covered with blood, are seen after clashes with riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Reuters Photographer
A wounded man lies in front of a barricade.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin
A woman covers her eyes in front of dead bodies lying on the ground.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
An anti-government protester pays his respects to a fallen comrade.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
Protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
Demonstrators use a sling to fire objects at members of the Interior Ministry and riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
An anti-government protester stands behind his shield during the violence.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Maks Levin
A protester aims a rifle during clashes with riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A protester holds a Ukranian flag as he advances through burning barricades.
. Kiev, Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Another protesters rests, wrapped in a flag.
. Kiev, Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
A medic cleans a protester’s eyes.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Anti-government protesters listen to speeches by their leaders in Independence Square.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A man holds his dead son’s hand as over a dozen corpses are transferred from a hotel lobby to a local hospital after clashes with riot police.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
A priest performs the last rites on the body of an anti-government protester.
. Kiev, Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Rows of protesters sleep in Kiev’s City Hall.
. KIEV, Ukraine. REUTERS/Olga Yakimovich
Smoke billows from Independence Square during clashes between protesters and police.