Ukrainians mark second anniversary of pro-European revolution
Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula following downfall of Yanukovich
Crowds have gathered in the Ukrainian capital to mark two years since the start of mass pro-European Union protests which toppled former Moscow-compliant president Viktor Yanukovych.
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The Maidan movement, which took its name from the central Kyiv square where demonstrators gathered in late 2013, was a response to then President Viktor Yanukovich rejecting a trade agreement with the European Union.
Anti-government protesters protect themselves with shields during clashes with riot police in Kyiv’s Independence Square, the epicenter of the country’s current unrest, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. (AP)
“Here are all my, all our people who gave their lives for those who are now sitting in their warm arm-chairs. They are not paid any attention. It was promised to place a big monument. No one is doing anything, two years have already passed,” said Kyiv resident Mykola Petlyovanyy.
In February 2014 more than 100 protesters were killed with Yanukovych fleeing to Russia soon after.
People lit candles and laid flowers to memorials in honour of the so-called ‘Heavenly Hundred’ as those killed became known in Ukraine.
People lay flowers to a memorial with the photos of the protesters who were killed during Euromaidan. (UNIAN Photo)
“Today is Maidan’s anniversary. We met with the boys last year because it was the beginning of the revolution, the beginning of changes, the beginning of everything. And it turned out that those boys who understood that they needed to stand at Maidan are here (pointing at memorial). There are their photographs. I did not know all of them, there were many people. I knew some of them – some of those who died,” said Kyiv resident Mikhail Savulchik.
More than 8000 people have been killed since Russia responded to the ouster of Yanukovych by annexing Crimea and waging war in southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.