Sir Elton John last night pleaded with the people of Ukraine to stop homophobic violence in the country.

The legendary singer, who was performing at the AIDS benefit gig he helped to organise at Kiev's Independence Square, interrupted his set to express his disappointment over the number of recent attacks towards the Ukrainian gay community:

"Recently I read about violence against gay people in Ukraine. Beating up gay people is wrong. This for me does not symbolise Ukraine.

"I plead with you. Stop the violence against gay people."

A gay pride march in the capital was cancelled last month after one of its leaders was violently assaulted, while a gay rights activist had to receive hospital treatment after being beaten up in a homophobic attack last week.