Ukraine on brink of civil war as vote crisis deepens

TEMPERS were rising as temperatures plummeted in Ukraine last night and talk of revolution was in the air after officials declared that Kremlin-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych had been elected president.

It sharpened a crisis sparked by the opposition candidate's allegations that the vote was rigged. The move prompted opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko to call for a nationwide strike to protest what his camp contends was brazen vote fraud.

"This decision puts Ukraine on the verge of civil conflict," Mr Yushchenko said, calling for a transport stoppage and other strike action.