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Protesters clash with riot policemen outside the Ukrainian President's office in Kyiv.
Protesters clash with riot policemen outside the Ukrainian President's office in Kyiv.

Live Blog: Protests In Ukraine

Opposition leaders have called for massive protests and a general strike to challenge Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's decision not to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union.

Wednesday -- Barring major events, we will be providing more limited updates on the live blog today.

Long term protest strategy appears to be setting in. Protesters marching to various government buildings, including the central bank and the prosecutor general's office. In Independence Square, meanwhile, the barricades are continuing to grow and thousands still remain.

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Tuesday wrap-up (final post for the evening)

-- Early in the day, the Ukrainian parliament voted against holding a vote of no confidence in the government. They needed 226 votes, but only came up with 186.

-- Angry crowds chanted "shame" outside the parliament. By late afternoon, Independence Square had swelled to at least 10,000 protesters again and the leaders of the three main opposition parties led a crowd of thousands to the presidential administration building. Most, including the opposition leaders returned to Independence Square.

-- Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov, who survived a potential no-confidence vote this morning, apologized for violence against protesters, but also harshly condemned the continuing demonstrations and the occupation of government buildings. He said the actions are "unconstitutional" and "illegal."

-- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has arrived in China to begin a three day visit, which will be followed by a trip to Russia. Still, he has promised he remains committed to EU integration.

-- Until late November, Yanukovych had said he intended to sign a pact with Europe, but backed out after pressure from Moscow. He also refused to allow former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to leave prison for medical care in Germany -- a key European demand.

-- The encampment in Independence Square remains, with barricades meant to protect it from riot police continuing to grow and crowds of protesters camping out overnight. The city administration building and the trade union building are still occupied.

Glenn Kates

21:29 1.12.2013
Barricades have been set up in Independence Square. Interfax reports there are about 15,000 people still there.
21:06 1.12.2013
A Euronews cameraman attacked by riot police and a Reuters reporter saying police have broken more than one camera.


20:48 1.12.2013
A picture of a decapitated Lenin monument is not from Kyiv and is a hoax, but is floating around the Ukrainian Internet.

20:24 1.12.2013
20:13 1.12.2013
There is new tension beneath a statue of Lenin in Kyiv. Some are apparently preparing to deface the monument, while others are warning against further provocations. Lenin remains a controversial figure in Ukraine -- hated by many -- particularly among Ukrainian nationalists -- but still admired by some.

19:55 1.12.2013

19:51 1.12.2013
The Interior Ministry has posted photos of injured officers on its Facebook page.

19:39 1.12.2013
In a post on her Facebook wall, a press spokesperson for Viktor Yanukovych Jr., the son of the president who is a Duma deputy, says that she and a colleague, Aleksander Scherbakov, have resigned.

The spokesperson, Olga Ivakhno, says the authorities' actions towards protesters on Independence Square -- and the unwillingness of authorities to take responsibility -- were unacceptable.

"You need to turn 180 degrees, admit the mistake, and answer for it," she said.

Copy of the post below.

19:08 1.12.2013
19:03 1.12.2013
Ukrainian First Vice Premier Sergei Abruzov has said those responsible for today's violence will be punished.

"Believe me," he said. "If there are people who are responsible for this, they will be punished. This is without a doubt."

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