Victims of protest violence dragged and dropped on a stairwell in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

A group of men and women can be seen kicking and beating several youths who are already bloodied.

The scene is the latest as tensions mount between pro-Ukraine and pro-Russia supporters.

The escalating of violence and the takeover of government buildings by pro-Russia activists - seen here in Kramatorsk - have led Kiev to launch a full-scale anti-terrorist operation.

Acting Ukrainian President Oleksander Turchinov blames Russia.

(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) ACTING UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, OLEKSANDER TURCHINOV, SAYING:

"The blood of Ukrainian heroes has been shed in a war which the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine. The aggressor has not stopped and is continuing to sow disorder in the east of the country. It's not a war between Ukrainians, it's an artificially created situation of confrontation, the aim of which is the weakening and destruction of Ukrai