This is a developing story. Mashable will be following the events as they unfold and will update this article throughout the day.
The Ukraine crisis took a turn for the worse overnight as two protesters were shot to death in clashes with police. A third died in a fall.
According to the English-language Kyiv Post, the general prosecutor’s office confirmed the gunshot deaths, but police denied that officers had fired on protesters.
See also: 9 Essential Twitter Sources for Ukrainian Conflict News
Crowds were reportedly growing at the scene of the recent clashes on Hrushevskoho Street, a few blocks from the center of the Euromaiden protests, with people chanting, “murderers” and “glory to Ukraine.”
#EuroMaidan right now clashes with riot police continue pic.twitter.com/1V4wmuNuba
— Anastasia Vlasova (@sia_vlasova) January 22, 2014
In a speech to his cabinet, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov took a hard line against the protests, according to Reuters, and seemed to suggest a crackdown. “Terrorists from the 'Maidan' seized dozens of people and beat them,” he said. “I am officially stating that these are criminals who must answer for their action."
There were other signs that the crisis was escalating. For the first time since the violence erupted on Sunday, army vehicles appeared on the scene.
Since those clashes began, police had been firing rubber bullets into the crowds. The deaths overnight indicate that police are now using conventional firearms.
Oleg Musiy, the coordinator of medical services for the demonstrations, told the Kyiv Post that one protester died from a gunshot wound to the heart; the other died from multiple gunshot wounds. “It is impossible” for those wounds to have been cause by rubber bullets, he said.
A protester throws a burning bottle during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine on Jan. 20, 2014. After a night of vicious streets battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed anew Monday in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades and police responded with tear gas.
Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades in central Kiev with the sound of stun grenades heard in the freezing air as police try to quell anti-government street protests.
Protesters attack a riot police bus in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.
Protesters clash with riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.
Protesters burn car tires as they clash with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.
Protesters scream during a clash with riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.
An elderly protestor prepares to throw a stone, during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles and other materials in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades were heard in the freezing air as police tried to quell anti-government street protests.
A protester stands on top of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.
Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles and other materials in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades can be heard in the freezing air as police try to quell anti-government street protests.
Pro-European Union activists stand in front of a barricade of their tent camp to protect it in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. About seventy people who oppose demonstrators in Kiev came to the protester's tent camp to destroy it. Ukraine’s president on Friday ignored sharp Western criticism and approved controversial anti-protest legislation aimed at quashing massive anti-government demonstrations which have rocked Kiev for nearly two months.
A pro-European Union activist stands in front of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A riot policeman picks up a stone while in front of him a police riot shield burns from a thrown petrol bomb in the main square of Ukraine's capital Kiev Monday Jan. 20 2014 as police and protesters clashed violently for a second day.
Riot police officers clash with anti-government protesters in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester runs during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic's political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.
Orthodox priests pray as they stand between pro-European Union activists and police lines in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester swings a baton towards a burning police bus, in front of him, during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic?s political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.
Protesters clad in improvised protective gear prepare for a clash with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. After a night of vicious streets battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed anew Monday in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and police responded with tear gas.
Pro-European Union activists restore barricades after night clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester throws a burning flare during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic's political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.
Seen through a vehicle torched by protesters overnight, police officers block a street during unrest in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades pierced the freezing air, after a night of rioting.
Protesters assist a wounded comrade, in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail during unrest in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. After a night of vicious streets battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed anew Monday in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades and police responded with tear gas.
A pro-European Union activist speaks to police officers as they block a street in central Kiev, Ukraine,Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.
A protester sprays fire in the direction of the riot police during clashes in the centre of Kiev on January 20, 2014. EU foreign ministers on January 20 deplored violent protests in Kiev, saying the government was at fault for passing a package of repressive laws in an effort to tame pro-EU demonstrations. In Kiev on January 20, protesters were locked in a tense stand-off with security forces after hours of unprecedented clashes deep into the night left dozens wounded and parts of the city centre resembling a battlefield.
Protesters wearing headbands reading "Help" shout slogans during an action entitled "Impose sanctions - stop the violence" in front of the European Union delegation in Ukraine in Kiev of January 20, 2014. Participants of the rally urged the European Union to immediately impose personal sanctions for those responsible for the use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists, as well as involved in the adoption of unconstitutional laws in Ukraine that violate fundamental human rights. Radical opposition protesters on January 20 battled Ukrainian police in new clashes after bloody fighting the day earlier wounded more than 200 people amid mounting fury over draconian new anti-protest laws.
Protesters clash with police in central Kiev on January 20, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday warned the bloody clashes between protesters and police threatened all of Ukraine as new fighting rocked the capital Kiev. The 63-year-old leader stressed that he had previously allowed protests against his decision to ditch a key pact with the EU to take place, but now his patience might be running out.
A protester smokes at the barricade in front of armour-clad security forces blocking access to the Verkhovna Rada parliament in Kiev on January 21, 2014 during clashing break of the opposition and the police. Russia on Tuesday warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev.
A woman takes a picture with a tablet of another demonstrator in front of the background of burned out police trucks after violent clashes in central Kiev on January 21, 2014. A new set of laws, which ban nearly all forms of protest in the ex-Soviet country and have enraged demonstrators, were officially published in the newspaper of the Ukranian parliament after a warning from President Viktor Yanukovych that the violence threatened the entire country.
A protester wrapped in Ukrainian flag walks between wreckages of a burnt trucks after violent clashes in central Kiev on January 21, 2014. A new set of laws, which ban nearly all forms of protest in the ex-Soviet country and have enraged demonstrators, were officially published in the newspaper of the Ukranian parliament after a warning from President Viktor Yanukovych that the violence threatened the entire country.
Protesters reinforce their barricade in Kiev on January 21, 2014 during clashing break of the opposition and the police. Russia on Tuesday warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev.