Ukraine prosecutors: 2 dead men hit by live ammo

KIEV, Ukraine — Two people were shot to death early Wednesday in anti-government protests in Ukraine, the first fatalities in the increasingly heated clashes with police in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, raising concerns that the movement is spiraling into a more dangerous phase of violence.

Medics at the site said a third man died after he fell from a high point near a sports arena at the site of clashes, but Natalia Vishnevska, spokesman for the city health department, said that man survived the fall and was being treated in the hospital.

The protesters' deaths fueled fears that daily protests aimed at bringing down the government over its decision to shun the European Union for closer ties to Moscow and over human-rights violations could turn even more violent.

Prosecutors said the two men were shot with live ammunition, and have opened a criminal investigation to determine who was responsible.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said the police did not have live ammunition and charged that opposition leaders should be held responsible for the deaths.

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