Ukraine protests: Two people killed in Kiev clashes
BBC journalist: "I saw a body right beneath the window"
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.
President Viktor Yanukovych is reportedly meeting opposition leaders 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."
FireworksWednesday's violence began in a small area around Hrushevskyy Street, a road leading to government buildings and also close to the main protest encampment at Maidan (or Independence Square).
Shortly after 08:00 (06:00 GMT) - after a relatively peaceful night - police stormed the protesters' barricades on Hrushevskyy Street.
The police later fell back to their positions after fierce clashes with protesters, but by the afternoon had pushed on through the barricades.
Protesters again hurled petrol bombs and stones while riot police responded with stun grenades and rubber bullets, the BBC's Duncan Crawford reports.
Meanwhile thousands of protesters have gathered in Independence Square.
There was a crush at one of the narrow entrances into the square when protesters trying to get in met protesters who were trying to get out to fight the police, our correspondent says.
At least two ambulances were seen carrying away the wounded.
Black smoke caused by the burning of tyres is now billowing over Kiev, while footage shows armoured vehicles moving into the area.
Officials confirmed the deaths of two people, found with gunshot wounds earlier on Wednesday. The general prosecutor said their bodies were found in a national library close to the scene of the clashes.
Medics for the activists say at least one person had multiple wounds and claimed he had been killed by a police sniper.
A third activist was also reported to have died on Wednesday from injuries sustained after falling from the top of the Dynamo football stadium.
But a spokeswoman for Kiev's health department said the man had survived the fall and was being treated in the hospital.
'Systematic violation'Prime Minister Mykola Azarov denied the police would have been responsible for the deaths as they were not carrying live ammunition.
They "remain on the consciousness and responsibility of the organisers and certain participants of mass disturbances," he said.
Many of the protesters have been wearing helmets and face masks in defiance of the new laws, that ban the wearing of such headgear at protests.
The laws also prescribe jail terms for anyone blockading public buildings and outlaw unauthorised tents in public areas.
European Union leaders has expressed shock at the deaths and called on all sides to halt the violence.
"If there is a systematic violation of human rights, including shooting at peaceful demonstrators or serious attacks to the basic freedoms, then we have to rethink our relationship with Ukraine," said Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the EU Commission.
Russia has accused the EU and US of "outside interference" in Ukrainian affairs.
"The extremist part of the opposition is crudely violating the country's constitution," Russia's deputy foreign minister Grigory Karasin told Interfax news agency.
Police have retreated since moving in on a camp in Hrushevskyy Street early on Wednesday, but a tense stand-off remains. 
Firebombs were thrown by both sides as the violence broke out 
Demonstrators were setting tyres on fire and throwing them at security forces 
Many protesters were wearing masks and helmets, breaking the new protest laws 
Some were seen brandishing handguns 
The clashes are taking place amid heavy snowfall 
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Are you in Kiev? Have you witnessed the protests? You can get in touch using the form below: