Yanukovich claims narrow Ukraine win

In Russia, the source of the gas which flows through Ukraine's pipeline network to the West, the election was closely watched but state-controlled media avoided taking sides.

Ukraine's $120 billion economy has been battered by a decline in the value of vital steel and chemicals exports that has hammered the hryvnia currency, slashed budget revenues and undermined the domestic banking system.

Regardless of the outcome, political squabbling was set to continue, reflecting the country's broader divisions. Ukraine is divided almost equally between a Russian-leaning east and south and a Western-friendly centre and west.

With a Yanukovich victory, Tymoshenko can expect to be ousted as premier by a vote of no confidence in parliament. Yanukovich will then try to form a new coalition to get his own ally into the role, or call a snap parliamentary election.

(Additional reporting by Dmitry Solovyov, Sabina Zawadzki, Yuri Kulikov and Natasha Zinets in Kiev; Writing by Matt Robinson and Richard Balmforth; Editing by Peter Millership)