(Transcript from World News Radio)
Ukraine's government has increased its efforts to quell a pro-Russian insurgency, with fighting reported in several towns in the country's east.
In the Black Sea port of Odessa, hundreds are still mourning the deaths of more than 40 people, killed in fighting and a major fire on Friday,
Outrage over the mainly pro-Russian deaths had triggered the new violence, where a mob of protesters stormed police headquarters and freed dozens of their jailed allies.
Julia Calixto has the details.
There's been a day of unease following unrest in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa.
Hundreds of pro-Russian protesters had gathered outside the city's central police station, demanding the release of those arrested during Friday's fatal riot.
Pro-Russian protesters threw bricks at the building and forced their way inside a police courtyard.
Dozens of pro-Russian protesters were eventually released by Odessa's police force in a move aimed at easing the tensions.
But Ukraine's Interior Ministry criticised the move, saying they were not consulted.
They have accused the police of failing to carry out their duties.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk visited Odessa to try and defuse the mounting tensions.
He says Russia's influence on the unrest could spread through south-eastern Ukraine.
"This is a new war. With the military with no insignia on their uniforms, with agents that have a well-organised terrorist plot, network, with political and diplomatic pressure on Ukraine, with tough and rude Russian propaganda playing on Ukrainian sentiments and not only on Ukrainians, and with a real threat to global security."
The regional police chief in Odessa has been sacked and Mr Yatseniuk says the entire police force will be reorganised.
Hundreds of people supporting the decision rallied in the city's main square, cheering for their newly appointed police chief, Ivan Katerinchuk.
"We are not preventing anyone from holding peaceful gatherings and we are not stopping anyone from speaking their mind but we are against those who are propagating separatism and the division of Ukraine."
Both sides in Ukraine's conflict have traded recriminations over Friday's deaths.
Mr Yatseniuk says there will be a comprehensive and independent investigation, and all those who helped instigate the violence will be tracked down.
Meanwhile, concerns are mounting that Russia ultimately aims to take control of south-eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's Acting President, Oleksander Turchinov, says Ukraine is facing a colossal problem with police and security forces backing pro-Russian support of citizens in eastern Ukraine.
"Russian special forces aimed to destabilise many regions in the south east and even the centre of Ukraine. But at the same time they only achieved a real result in the east, in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. And first of all because there is a big number of people, let's be honest, residents of these regions that support separatists, or support even terrorists which makes the anti terrorist operation very difficult."
Russian President Vladmir Putin says he doesn't want to send in Russian troops but will, if necessary, to protect his country's interests.
The crisis comes as Ukraine seeks to regain control in the east ahead of presidential elections scheduled for May the 25th, and pro-Russian militants plan a May the 11th referendum in areas under their control.
Residents of Odessa are mourning victims of the clashes.
They've laid flowers and candles outside the remains of the building burned in the conflict.
Among them is Odessa resident Andrey Yusov.
"Right now the people of Odessa have come to make sure that the territory of Odessa remains part of the independent territory of Ukraine. You can see here respect for those who died on May 2. We came here to pay our respects to those who died on both sides and to take a stand against terrorism and against those who want to divide Ukraine."
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