Ukraine sees militancy growing within protests

KIEV, Ukraine, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said Friday it suspected fringe activists may be resorting to terrorism during the country's ongoing political crises.

At least two people were injured Thursday when an explosion rocked a government building in Kiev. The Ukrainian government said the blast may have been the result a failed attempt at a larger terrorist attack.

"Right-wing radical groups are planning to shatter the world again and they are willing to use terrorism," a ministry statement published Friday by Russia's state-supported news agency RIA Novosti read.

Protests broke out in November when the government decided to suspend efforts to move closer to the European Union in order to protect its economic ties to Russia. Demonstrations turned violent in Kiev last month when the government backed a measure to curb demonstrations, though the measure has since been repealed.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said Friday the U.S. State Department has denied allegations made by Russia it was supporting militancy in Kiev.

Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, has been the source of a diplomatic tug-of-war between Western powers and Russia.

Members of the European Parliament this week said Russia should let the Ukrainian people determine their future.