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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

18:51 1.12.2013
The Interior Ministry has posted photos of injured officers on its Facebook page.

18:39 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.

18:08 1.12.2013
18:03 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."
17:57 1.12.2013
The leader of the opposition "Fatherland" party has announced that protests will move to the Cabinet of Ministers tomorrow.

17:30 1.12.2013
According to the RIA Novosti news agency, a meeting in the currently occupied City Hall is about to take place to discuss the next steps.
17:06 1.12.2013
A group of automobiles numbering in the hundreds apparently attempted to drive to Yanukovych's presidential residence. Riot police buses have blocked the road, however. Some pictures of the scene on this Vkontakte page and below.

16:46 1.12.2013
16:39 1.12.2013
Our Ukrainian Service head is reporting from Kyiv's City Hall. One of the occupants defaced an official photo of Yanukovych, apparently drawing a Hitler mustache above his lip. The letters on the forehead spell out "zek" -- slang for convict. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the president spent time in prison for robbery and assault. He has attributed these events to youthful indiscretion.

16:26 1.12.2013
The "Kyiv Post" reports that police officials say their members have sustained about 100 injuries. They are currently "negotiating" the return of government buildings that have been occupied by activists.

A police spokesman told Interfax-Ukraine that officials are explaining that "their actions are illegal and asked to voluntary leave the buildings."

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