Ukrainian MPs were involved in a mass brawl on Thursday evening, which left many injured and several hospitalised.
Chairs were thrown during the parliamentary session, which descended into violence after members of the ruling party charged the podium at the head of the chamber.
The podium had earlier been blocked off by members of the opposition party in protest at the corruption inquiry against opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Those loyal to current president Viktor Yanukovych stormed the blockade, sparking a 70-man brawl.
Tymoshenko, who left office in March 2010, is currently being investigated for allegedly misappropriating public finds, in particular the selling of carbon emission rights under the Kyoto protocol.
After losing the election in 2010, Tymoshenko claimed the election was rigged. She was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison for allegedly abusing her position while brokering a 2009 gas deal with Russia.
The European Union has condemned the conviction as politically motivated.
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(01 of07)
Open Image ModalAn opposition lawmaker Mykola Petruk receives first aid after fighting between pro-presidential and opposition factions in the parliament session hall in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, May 24, 2012. A violent scuffle has erupted in Ukraine's parliament over a bill that would allow the use of the Russian language in courts, hospitals and other institutions in the Russian-speaking regions of the country. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Maks Levin)
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(02 of07)
Open Image ModalDeputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. (Photo credit: STR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(03 of07)
Open Image ModalDeputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. (Photo credit: STR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(04 of07)
Open Image ModalDeputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. (Photo credit: STR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(05 of07)
Open Image ModalDeputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. (Photo credit: STR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(06 of07)
Open Image ModalDeputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. (Photo credit: STR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Ukrainian Parliament Session Fight(07 of07)
Open Image ModalLawmakers from pro-presidential and oppositional factions in the parliament session hall in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, May 24, 2012. A violent scuffle erupted in Ukraine's parliament over a bill that would allow the use of the Russian language in courts, hospitals and other institutions in the Russian-speaking regions of the country. (AP Photo/Maks Levin)
Here's a gallery of parliamentary punch-ups from around the world: