Ukraine in Crisis: Senior Aide to Yanukovych says he is in the East of the country, and has not fled the nation

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has fled the capital Kiev, but a senior aide has stressed he remains in the country and is visiting a city in the East of Ukraine. 

The Presidential Offices in the capital have been virtually abandoned, with protesters 'in control' of the head quarters.

Protesters have taken full of the capital, after security forces and riot squads disappeared overnight.

Mr Yanukovych's close ally Hanna Herman told the Associated Press News Agency that the President, who our correspondents say is the role only in name and has no power, is 'visiting Kharkiv' a city in Ukraine's East which AP news agency says is the heart of his support.

The whereabouts of President Yanukovych are unknown. There were reports he had fled the country, but a senior security official told Reuters he still remained in Ukraine.