Editor's note: Tim Holt ishead of Inform at Alert:24. This blog originally ranon WillisWire.

After a brief respite in violence, at least 77 people includinga number of police and journalists are reported to have been killedover the past few days in renewed violence in Ukraine's capitalKiev. This period of hostility was prompted when police reportedlystormed antigovernment protest camps in Independence Square on Feb.18.

The situation at present does not warrant a general evacuation,however, this could change and companies should be ready andprepared to move. Although not a specific target, foreign nationalsmay get caught up in collateral violence.

According to media and security reports, on several occasionsUkrainian riot police employed tear gas, stun grenades and watercannons in a series of violent clashes. Protesters responded bytargeting the police lines with Molotov cocktails, improvisedmissiles and fireworks and forcing the security services from theSquare.

In response, the Ukrainian authorities have blocked access tocentral Kiev, with key infrastructure including the main arterialroads and the metro system remaining closed. The situation remainstense in Independence Square where security forces continue tosurround the main barricades and protestors remain firmlyencamped.

After a night of tense talks between President Yanukovych,European ministers and members of the opposition movement, theannouncement was made that a deal would be signed at midday localtime. The parameters of the deal are not clear and its implicationsand effects on the persistent violence are yet to be assessed.Elements of the opposition movement have claimed they were notconsulted ahead of the truce suggesting it may fail.

Unpredictable

Key flashpoint areas remain Independence Square, City Hall, somehigh-profile government buildings and the streets in theirvicinity. Tensions will remain high in the environs of IndependenceSquare with further escalations and fatalities possible in thecoming days.

The situation is unpredictable and renewed violence could beprompted by further eviction attempts, government provocations orthe actions of more fundamentalist parts of the protestmovement.

Beyond the Capital

Whilst the violence is unprecedented and marks a significantescalation to the recent levels of hostility seen in Kiev, theprotests and their locations are consistent with the on-goingopposition movement's demonstrations in the past three months.

At present, it is unlikely that the violence will spread beyondKiev and its existing hotspots in the city centre. The securityservices have established a series of checkpoints in an attempt tolimit the number of activists entering the city and other regionalcentres.

However, regional administrative buildings may become targets oflocalised but limited protests if the security environmentdeteriorates further.

Sparked by Ukraine's renewed economic association with Russia,the demonstrators continue to demand the resignation of PresidentYanukovych, constitutional reform and the transfer of legislativepowers from the presidency to the parliament.

Despite some muted concessions from the government, violentdemonstrations will persist whilst the impasse continues and nopolitical settlement is reached.

Considerations

Businesses should ensure that there are several means of viablecommunication with employees living and traveling in Ukraine. Ontop of this, they should rehearse their evacuation plan and ensurethat assembly areas and embarkation points are clarified.