KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych said anti-government protesters had "crossed the limits" by taking to the streets to try to oust him from power, in an address to the nation Wednesday as deadly clashes raged in Kiev.

"The leaders of the opposition have disregarded the principle of democracy according to which we obtain power through elections and not on the street ...

they have crossed the limits by calling for people to take up arms," he said, adding those responsible would face the law.