67 confirmed dead in Ukraine violence

Activists burn tyres at barricades close to Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. Heavy black smoke rising from burning tyres does not allow riot police snipers hold aimed fire against protesters. Fierce clashes between police and protesters in Ukraine's capital have shattered the brief truce Thursday and an Associated Press reporter has seen dozens bodies laid out on the edge of the protest encampment. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

At least 67 people have been killed in three days of violence in Ukranian capital city, the Kiev City Administration confirmed on Thursday, adding 551 people suffered injuries of which 332 have been hospitalised since Tuesday.

There were 22 bodies of other demonstrators in a camp where medics treat wounded activists, Xinhua quoted witnessing telling a TV channel.

Moreover, the country’s Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko said that at least 13 police officers have been killed and 67 captured by radical demonstrators since on Tuesday.

Mr. Zakharchenko also said that police had been issued with combat weapons and would use them “in accordance with the law” to defend themselves.

Protests in Kiev began in November after President Viktor Yanukovych backtracked on a trade deal with the European Union and rather preferred a $15bn bailout from Russia. They turned violent in mid-January and have been remarkably escalating this week.