Ukraine Politicians Scuffle Over Language Bill

A parliamentary debate in Ukraine has descended into chaos with politicians from opposing parties throwing punches in a violent scuffle.

The ministers had been discussing allowing the use of the Russian language in courts and hospitals in Russian-speaking regions.

The fight broke out on Thursday evening between members of the pro-Western opposition who want to take Ukraine out of Russia's shadow and politicians from President Viktor Yanukovych's party, which bases its support in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east.

Opposition politician Mykola Petruk, suffered an apparent blow to the head and was taken to the hospital with blood streaming down his face.

Politicians have frequently scuffled in the Ukrainian parliament.

In December 2010, a fierce fight saw at least six politicians end up in hospital. It started when members of Mr Yanukovych's party threw chairs and punched members of the opposition who had been blocking legislative work all day.

During a fight in April the same year, the parliament speaker hid behind an umbrella as opposition politicians threw eggs and smoke bombs to protest against a naval pact with Russia.

Ukraine is deeply divided into the Russian-speaking east and south, which favours close ties with Moscow, and the Ukrainian-speaking west, which wants Ukraine to join the Western club.

The opposition has demanded an investigation into Thursday's scuffle.