Protests in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, have seen its most violent day thus far on Tuesday, with at least 18 people killed in clashes with the riot police. The protest escalated as opposition activist used fireworks and petrol bombs against the armed police forces, resulting in fires breaking out all over the Kiev metro.

Earlier on Tuesday protesters marched on parliament where MPs had been due to debate the proposed changes to Ukraine’s constitution. However the debate did not take place, leading to protesters throwing cobblestones at the police blocking them. The police retaliated with stun and smoke grenades and rubber bullets. It is still unclear who started the recent violence, with both parties blaming the other.

According to the BBC:

The BBC’s David Stern in Kiev says this is a key moment for the country and that many people are scared of further escalation. Although this does not necessarily mean a civil war – as some have previously suggested – Ukraine remains dangerously divided, our correspondent says.

Ukraine’s unrest began in November, when President Yanukovych rejected a trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

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On Tuesday evening security forces announced over loud speakers that they will commence “an anti-terror operation” on the mostly peaceful protest camp situated on Independence Square. The armed forces advanced using armoured vehicles, dismantling barricades and firing stun grenades and water cannons at the protesters’ camp. This caused the activist to retaliate violently, using fireworks and petrol bombs on the police.

[ Source : BusinessInsider , BBC , YouTube ]