Protests in Ukraine continue

Anti-government protesters in Ukraine remained defiant on Friday (December 20) continuing to camp on Kiev's Independence Square, almost four weeks after demonstrations against President Viktor Yanukovich first began.

Hundreds of protesters spent a further night sleeping in tents through the cold winter night, and spending their morning keeping warm by fires and preparing food as light snow began to fall.

Many of them took part in a religious service conducted from the stage and then stood to sing the country's national anthem, something which many have done on the hour, every hour, during the last few weeks.

In recent days Christmas trees have been set up throughout the encampment as the festive holiday approaches.

Protests began in November when people were angered by the decision of President Viktor Yanukovich to move away from a trade and association agreement with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Europe.