Three people have reportedly been killed in Ukraine’s capital Kiev during violent clashes between riot police and special forces.

Kiev is burning. A third day of clashes between police, special forces and rioters spiraled into chaos as police stormed barricades, fired stun grenades, rubber bullets and in an attempt to push protestors back

Thousands responsed by burning tires and hurling petrol bombs and chunks of pavement at police forces

The uptick in violence is in response to reports that two protestors were killed overnight and a third succumbed to injuries sustained during clashes days earlier.

Opposition and government leaders’s negociation to end the 2-month long standoff broke down Tuesday night.

The current unrest was sparked by a Ukrainian government decision to sign an economic deal with Russia rather than the EU.

The latest violent surge is in response to a series of new laws announced last week that includes a ban on public gatherings.

Referring to the rioters as "criminals and terrorists", Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov vowed on Wednesday they will answer for their actions

Hundreds have been wounded during the current explosive exchange. If there is no significant change on the ground, the expectation is there will be more casualties.