Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's ruling Party of Regions has claimed victory in the country's parliamentary elections.

With one-third of party list votes counted, it had gained more than 36 percent support, while the opposition party of Yulia Tymoshenko, who is in jail, had just over 21 percent.

In single mandate districts, which comprise half of all the seats, it appears that Mr Yanukovych's party is also ahead, the BBC reported.