Euromaydan (2013-2014)

Maidan uprising – mass protests of the Ukrainian people against the sharp refusal of the government of Prime Minister Azarov and President Yanukovych from the European course and the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. The government wanted to join the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russian-controlled organization. Peaceful protests began on November 21, 2013 in the central square of the country in Kyiv – Independence Square (Maydan Nezalezhnosti). Later, after an attempt by the special forces of the police “Berkut” to violently disperse the protesting students, the people were indignant at the unprovoked aggression of the police. So the peaceful protest turned into an armed confrontation between the forces of law and order and the strikers, called the “Revolution of Dignity”

The central square of Kyiv – Independence Square (Maydan Nezalezhnosti) turned into a huge besieged camp, fenced with barricades during the confrontation. He had his own headquarters, Maidan self-defense forces, voluntary squads, doctors, and a field kitchen. The people warmly supported the rebels, supplying the camp with everything necessary. The protest grew into a fight for Ukraine’s European choice and its unwillingness to be under the influence of Russia. The protesters were armed with sticks, shields taken from the police, construction and old Soviet helmets.

Russia continued to try to coax the government into an extremely violent crackdown on the protest by supplying the police with crippling weapons. Russian FSB officers coordinated communication between Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin continued to put pressure on President Yanukovych, demanding that he disperse the protests by any means necessary and quickly sign a treaty with Russia.

After bloody clashes in January 2014, a wave of popular indignation swept across Ukraine, and self-defense units seized government buildings in many cities.

After violent clashes in Kyiv on February 18-20, 2014, the authorities agreed to sign an agreement with the opposition to establish an interim government. Without waiting for the implementation of these agreements, the top government, top army and security forces, and President Yanukovych fled to Russia.

The clashes left 106 protesters and 13 policemen dead.

The Kremlin did not accept the will of the Ukrainian people, calling the events a “coup”, and called all subsequent authorities a “military junta.” In the spring of 2014, the Putin took advantage of a period of anarchy in Ukraine, when the old government and security forces fled, and new authorities have not yet been created – then Russia annexed the Crimea, and occupied part of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

The Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine was signed on March 21, 2014 and fully entered into force on September 1, 2017.

At the moment (March 2022), Ukraine is fighting for the right to become a member of the EU.

Anti-Maidan

The ruling Party of Regions, headed by President Viktor Yanukovych, tried to organize its own “anti-Maidan” with speeches in support of the Russian vector of the country’s development. They hired participants for black cash, who, in principle, are not interested in slogans. If only there was enough fee for beer and cigarettes. The photographs below show typical representatives of hired support groups. Another large category of participants are state employees. Refusal to participate in the rally could lead to dismissal. Their arrival was organized by local authorities for budget money.

Police

At first, the police did not intervene. She guarded government buildings and separated protesters from opposite camps.

On the Maidan there was an atmosphere of spiritual uplift, universal unity, the desire to achieve a common goal – to return Ukraine to the European course.