Ukrainian Health Ministry officials on Thursday morning raised the death toll from clashes between police and protesters in the capital city this week to 28. According to (Ria Novosti) news agency, the Ukrainian health ministry said 287 people have been hospitalized, including 88 police officers, six journalists and four children. Police said more than 800 people in total were injured in the violence. Mass protests initially erupted in late November after the government backed away from deals to deepen political and economic cooperation with the European Union and instead opted for closer ties with Russia.