Violence and fires in Ukraine kill 43 people.

Most died in the fire, some died from gunshot wounds.

Dozens were killed in the fire, and many others were shot dead in clashes between separatist protesters and supporters of Ukrainian unity in the port city of Odessa.

Violence in Odessa (photo: Independent)

According to the Interfax news agency, the total death toll in Odessa has reached 43, including at least 31 who died when a union building caught fire. Crowds gathered outside the building to help those trying to escape the blaze by jumping out of windows.

Russian media also reported that clashes broke out last night near the town of Kramatorsk, south of Slaviansk. Eastern Ukraine, home to a large Russian-speaking community, is a focal point of concern for Western countries. US President Obama has stated that the next step could be sanctions targeting sectors of the Russian economy.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Russian President Putin declared that the attack by pro-Western authorities in Kyiv on the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine was "the final blow to the peace agreement."

Russia's envoy to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Andrei Kelin, also called on the organization to take action to prevent the aforementioned retaliatory attack.

According to VOV