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A UKRAINIAN coal miner has set himself on fire to protest wages in the mining sector.

Viktor Trifonov can be seen calmly turning to one side and pouring a liquid down his shirt before setting the flammable liquid on fire during a press conference.

The flames quickly take hold of Trifonov's shirt after he poured flammable liquid all over himself
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The flames quickly take hold of Trifonov's shirt after he poured flammable liquid all over himself
The man, in his 50s, had already been on a hunger strike to protest the wages in the mining sector
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The man, in his 50s, had already been on a hunger strike to protest the wages in the mining sector
The man was holding the bottle of liquid throughout the press conference before pouring it on himself
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The man was holding the bottle of liquid throughout the press conference before pouring it on himself

Trifonov took the drastic action during the conference in front of the country's Energy and Coal Mining Ministry, protesting the massive wage arrears in the country.

The man, in his 50s, was already on a hunger strike over the dispute and told media before setting himself on fire: "We've had enough of begging for our well-earned money to be given to us.

"I feel ashamed before my kids for being forced to do this."

The group had previously flagged they were determined to raise awareness of their cause with Ukraine broadcaster 112 reporting that Trifonov had earlier written to the Ukrainian Prime Minister and enery minister, saying he was "ready for extreme measures and will protest till the end".

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Trifonov, who can be seen holding a drink bottle throughout the press conference, was just one of the men standing out the front of the ministry to drive home their protest.

A video of the incident shows the man pouring the liquid over his shirt, with the flames quickly taking hold and flaring into his face as his fellow supporters desperately try to extinguish the flames.

Fellow protesters quickly try to beat out the flames, which caused burns to 12 per cent of Trifinov's body
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Fellow protesters quickly try to beat out the flames, which caused burns to 12 per cent of Trifonov's body
The man is now in intensive care after the dramatic protest
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The man is now in intensive care after the dramatic protest

His fellow protesters rip his shirt off in an attempt to save their friend.

Independent Miners Union of Ukraine chairman Mihaylo Volynets said Viktor had suffered burns to 12 per cent of his body including to the face and neck.

The desperate protest comes after industrial action and hunger strikes were unsuccessful.

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