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Ukraine clashes ‘result of Western policies’: Russia

“What is happening is a direct consequence of the policy of connivance among those Western politicians and European agencies that have been shutting their eyes to the aggressive actions of Ukraine’s radical forces since the beginning of the crisis,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The opposition no longer controls the situation in its ranks,” said the statement, accusing protesters of stoning police, setting cars on fire, and vandalising a drug store and the headquarters of President Viktor Yanukovych’s Regions Party.

“We see overt violations of not only law but simple common sense,” the statement said.

Medics who work in first aid centres run by the opposition said three people were killed and scores more injured in the latest violence on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s interior ministry said separately that 37 officers had been injured in the unrest, which broke out on the day opposition leaders in parliament unsuccessfully attempted to pass constitutional changes stripping President Viktor Yanukovych of some of his powers.