Ukraine: Buildings Stormed As Protests Grow

Protesters have stormed government buildings in Ukraine amid continuing unrest in the country.

Demonstrators let off fire extinguishers against riot police as they forced their way into a regional administration office in the town of Vinnytsia, around 120 miles from the capital Kiev.

Earlier, about 100 anti-government activists rushed the country's energy ministry in Kiev, where clashes with police have continued.

President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leader Vitali Klitschko

Energy Minister Eduard Stavytsky said their actions had threatened the country's entire power supply.

Protesters also continue to occupy Kiev city hall, which they have turned into a makeshift headquarters.

Officials have warned police could storm the building to free two officers allegedly being held by demonstrators.

Until the past week, the protests had centred mainly in Kiev, with only smaller rallies elsewhere.

But following the latest clashes, a series of local government buildings have been seized in the west of the country, where support for President Viktor Yanukovych is weak.

The protest map tweeted by Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt

It is being reported Mr Yanukovych is holding new talks with the country's opposition.

He had previously announced concessions to demonstrators to try to restore calm.

Mr Yanukovych offered to reshuffle his government and to grant an amnesty to dozens of activists arrested during weeks of rioting that has left four protesters dead and dozens of police officers injured.

But opposition leader and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko said only Mr Yanukovych's resignation would mollify the protests.

The rallies in Kiev began in November last year after Mr Yanukovych scrapped a treaty with the European Union in favour of a bailout loan from Russia, following lobbying by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Political activists began by calling for stronger unification with Europe rather than a new alliance with Russia but the protests have since evolved to call for Mr Yanukovych's resignation and the scrapping of harsh anti-protest legislation.

Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt suggested Mr Yanukovych was losing control over his country. He posted a map of Ukraine on Twitter showing which regions had been hit by protests.

"If Kiev regime tries a military solution to this situation, it will be very bloody and it will fail," he tweeted.

:: Watch Sky News live on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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