As riots spread from Ukraine’s embattled capital to nearly half of the country, President Viktor Yanukovych promised yesterday to reshuffle his government and make other concessions.

Two people were shot dead early yesterday 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 spiralling into a more dangerous phase of violence.

Anti-government protesters in Ukraine are claiming victory after riot police backed down from a showdown in Kiev’s main square.