PICHA 30,WIKI YA MACHOZI NA DAMU KWA TAIFA LA UKRAINE,HISTORIA IMEANDIKWA

Ukraine has experienced its bloodiest week in decades after days of deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and police which ended in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych.

For three months demonstrators have been involved in a stand-off with authorities in the capital Kiev.

But on February 18 violence escalated and the Health Ministry said the death toll between protesters and police had reached 82. The protesters put that figure at over 100.

Here are a selection of photographs which capture the devastation caused in Kiev's Independence Square.

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Fireworks explode near anti-government protesters during clashes with riot police at Independence Square in Kiev on February 18

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Activists pay respects to protesters who were killed in clashes with police in Independence Square, the epicentre of demonstrations in Kiev

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Anti-government protesters carry away a wounded man as riot policemen fire live bullets on them on Independence Square in downtown Kiev

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A woman lights candles in memory of the victims of clashes between police and protesters in Kiev, at the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow, Russia

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This image taken on February 18 shows an aerial view of central Kiev, with 'Maidan' dubbed Independence square (on the left) and smoke billowing from clashes between anti-government protestors and police (centre near the stadium)

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A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Explosive: A general view of Independence Square during protests in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Anti-government protesters are wounded after the clash with the police in Kiev on February 18

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Ukrainian riot police 18 February launched a massive assault on thousands of anti-government protesters on February 18 in central Kiev

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Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicentre of protests in Kiev

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Smoke from exploding fireworks and fires billows into the night sky as Ukrainians gather on Independence Square during continuing protest in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18

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Wounded men make their way to safety during clashes with police in central Kiev on February 18

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An anti-government protester shoots during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Armed: A protester uses a slingshot during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18

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Violence: Protesters put down barricades during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18

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An anti-government protester prepares to throw a Molotov's cocktail during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Anti-government protesters clash with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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An anti-government protester throws a stone during clashes with riot police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Interior Ministry members are on fire as they stand guard during clashes with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18

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Unrest: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18

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Anti-government protesters shield themselves and wear gas masks during a demonstration in Kiev on February 18

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Conflict: Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev on February 18

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Terrified: Wounded people are seen after clashes with riot police in central Kiev on February 18

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Anti-government demonstrators stand among the smoke of burning barricades during clashes with riot police in Kiev on February 18

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War: A protester holds a makeshft shield during clashes with police in Kiev on February 18

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Protesters clash with riot police during the continuing protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 18

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Anger: Anti-government protesters in Kiev, Ukraine stand in a line with shields on February 18

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An anti-government protester wrapped in the Ukrainian national flag stands by a barricade during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19

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Crisis: Anti-government protesters clash with the police in Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19

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An anti-government protester stands behind a barricade during clashes with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square on February 19

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Anti-government protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19

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Anti-government protesters gather stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19

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An anti-government protester gathers stones during a rally in central Kiev on February 19

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Riot police officers stand in line during on-going protests on Independence Square in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, on February 19

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Smoke rises above Independence Square during anti-government protests in central Kiev in the early hours of February 19

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An anti-government protester prepares to throw a cobblestone towards riot police during clashes on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19

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An anti-government protester uses a slingshot to throw stones towards riot police on Kiev's Independence Square on February 19

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An anti-government protester wears a gas