KIEV, Jan. 25 – The Embassy of the United States in Kiev has issued a warning to U.S. citizens of the potential risks of traveling to Ukraine.

"The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the potential risks of travel to Ukraine due to the ongoing political unrest and violent clashes between police and protesters," the U.S. Embassy reported on its Web site on Saturday.

The alert reads that protest-related violence, particularly in Kiev, has escalated sharply since January 19, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of injuries.