Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has described today’s events in Kiev as a “coup”.

The Ukrainian president has today left Kiev, with his presidential offices left unguarded. Protesters have converged on the empty government district and taken over the office.

Yanukovych labelled the day’s rapidly unfolding events  - which have seen protesters take over the seemingly abandoned presidential offices – as “vandalism, banditry and a  coup.”

The pre-recorded interview (below) was broadcast at 16.00 local time (14.00 Irish time).