More than 60 protesters dead in Kiev

More than 60 protesters have died from gunshot wounds in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, a medic who works with the opposition said.

"More than 60 protesters died today. They all have gunshot wounds," the EuroMiadan Medical Centre coordinator Svyatoslav Khanenko told AFP.

Ukraine's police force it used live munitions in self-defence.

"For the purpose of preserving the lives and wellbeing of law enforcement officials, a decision was taken ... to use weapons in self defence," the interior ministry said, adding that its staff "have the right to use firearms" if their lives or wellbeing are threatened.