First killings in Ukraine protests

• 22.01.2014, 12:42

At least two people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

Prosecutors confirmed the two had died from bullet wounds. They are the first fatalities since protests began in November at the government's rejection of a planned treaty with the EU.

Wednesday's clashes began after police moved in to dismantle a protest camp, BBC reports.

President Viktor Yanukovych is reportedly meeting with opposition leaders later to discuss the crisis.

The clashes come on the day that new anti-protest laws come into force. Parliament approved the laws last week, triggering renewed protests, which spilled into violence on Sunday night.

Hundreds of people have been injured, though some of the violence has been blamed on a little-known far-right group, Right Sector.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Ukraine says it has revoked the visas of "several Ukrainians who were linked to the violence". It did not give names, but said it was "considering further action against those responsible for the current violence."