Pro-Russian activists have attacked the police headquarters in Ukraine's southern city of Odessa, forcing the release of several people held over deadly violence two days ago.
Friday's clashes led to more than 40 deaths. Most victims were pro-Russian separatists killed when the building they were in caught fire.
Ukraine's interim PM has accused police of failing to prevent the violence.
He was speaking as Ukrainian troops encircled Sloviansk in the east.
The army operation is trying to wrest control from separatists who have taken over a government buildings in a number of towns. Hundreds of people descended on the police headquarters on Sunday afternoon in an initially peaceful protest calling for the released of those detained.
"We've gathered here in a protest against the illegal government and to get our guys released, citizens of Odessa", said one woman.
"They call us separatists and pro-Russians, but we're just ordinary Russian Odessa citizens, we've actually always been more Russian."
The gathering turned violent as protesters - some wearing masks and carrying improvised weapons - broke windows and forced the gates.
There were chants of "Russia, Russia" and "Russians won't abandon their own".
A number of detainees were then released by the police, apparently in an attempt to pacify the crowds. Reuters, quoting police sources, put the number freed at 30. The interior ministry, in a statement quoted by the Associated Press, said 67 people were released.
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