The Revolution of Dignity (Ukraine)
The Ukranian Revolution also known as the Euromaiden Revolution or the Revolution of Dignity took place between November 21st 2013 and Feb 22nd 2014. At the time there was a lack of confidence in the government and police and youth unemployment was high. The catalyst came when the then president Victor Yanukovych suspended the signing of the European Union Association Agreement. Instead he chose to accept a multi-million pound bail out package from Russia. A political shift from pro European to pro Russian caused thousands of demonstrators (predominently young students) to take to the streets in protest.
Protester Beatings
The Ukrainian special forces (Berkut) savagely beat the protesters who were gathered in Maiden Nezalezhnosti (Inpendence Square). The brutality against the students led to a national mobilisation of students. By the next day the protesters had swelled in number to hundreds of thousands. Barricades were built and a stage was erected. Activists gave speeches and Ukrainian bands performed to show their solidarity. Protest banners and EU flags were hung from the Christmas tree.
The “Dictatorship Laws”
On January 19th a series of laws were passed. These were nicknamed the “dictatorship laws”. They banned outdoor assembly and demonstrations. This led to more protests and violent clashes causing the death of 3 protesters. This led to a temporary truce.
On February 18th riot police stormed the protest camp, setting fire to tents and shooting at protesters with rubber bullets. Violence escalated and on February 20th riot police opened fire with live ammunition. Dozens died. Between 18th – 22nd eighty eight people were killed. In total 113 died. The protesters killed became known as the ‘heavenly hundred’.
EU leaders, the government and opposition leaders tried to broker a deal. The deal was denounced and protesters threatened to storm the parliament building the next morning. President Yanukovych secretely fled Kyiv during the night, eventually re -surfacing in Russia. The Ukrainian parliament voted 328 – 0 to remove him from office.
The revolution kickstarted other events. A few days later disguised Russian troops surrounded Ukrainian military bases in Crimea. It led to Russia annoying the Crimea.
It is frightening to think that this only happened 5 years ago and that so many, mainly young, people were murdered for peacefully protesting. Sometimes we take our democracy for granted.
Kyiv Free Tours
Kyiv Free Tours run a daily free Revolution Kiev Tour. It begins at 10.30am and the meeting point is the globe statue in Maidan Nezalezhnosti Sq – Independence Square. The guide will be holding a white umbrella. The tour will take you to the sights where major events happened. Also to the many memorials to those who died, they have not been forgotten. Our guide’s sister was involved in the protests, so for her it is a very personal and passionate subject.
For more details contact Kiev Free Tours.
