On Nov. 21, some 2,000 people gathered at Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square in Kyiv to protest the Ukrainian government's decision to turn back on the Ukraine-European Union association agreement. At least that was the trigger for a nation fed up with the corrupt rule of President Viktor Yanukovych. The initial gathering would grow to tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, then more than a million at some key protests. A tent city sprouted up in the city center and a vast grassroots operation evolved that drove Yanukovych out of power on Feb. 21 -- almost four years to the day after he took office. Before Yanukovych fled, he allegedly ordered the murders of more than 100 people by government-hired snipers.
On the first year anniversary of the start of the EuroMaidan Revolution, the Kyiv Post offers links to some of the most memorable stories and videos of the revolution.
Backstage at EuroMaidan as 100,000 people watch
Nov. 24, 2013
The political opposition was clearly elated. After years of rollbacks of freedoms under President Viktor Yanukovych and many unsuccessful attempts to call people out onto the streets to defend their rights, people were out massively again. Read the story.
Back to the Middle Ages on the way to Europe: Beaten Kyiv protesters take refuge in ancient church yard
Nov. 30, 2013
They gather in a circle and start singing the Ukrainian national anthem on St. Michael’s Square, on the site of the holy cathedral originally built in 1108 and then rebuilt after Soviets destroyed it. Read the story.
Volunteer with special needs helps EuroMaidan
Dec. 12
When frozen protesters at Independence Square grab plastic cups of hot tea, served constantly from the makeshift kitchen in the Trade Unions House that acts as the headquarters of the protest movement, they might notice that great care was taken to remove the tags from teabags for the comfort of drinkers. For that, they might thank Liza Shaposhnik. Read the story.
The sights and sounds of two Maidans
Dec. 16, 2013
They were less than a mile away, but they seemed worlds apart. Read the story.
Heroes Of EuroMaidan
Dec. 19, 2013
Heroes are born during momentous times and EuroMaidan is no exception. The Kyiv Post picked six out of the crowd. Read the story.
Foreigners join pro-European protests
Dec. 12, 2013
Many foreigners have been drawn to Kyiv’s pro-European rallies in admiration for the spirited people power that has been on display and capturing world headlines. Most hail from former Eastern bloc countries like Belarus, Poland and Georgia. But others have come from other European countries and from as far as North America. Read the story.
Women play integral roles at EuroMaidan
Jan. 24
She walks carefully on the iced ground of Hrushevskoho Street in Kyiv, the epicenter of Ukraine’s now bloody protest. Trying not to fall over cobblestones covered in a gray mix of snow and ash, she holds something in her hands as close to her heart as she can… A baby girl. Two months old. Read the story.
EuroMaidan inspires revolutionary artistry
Jan. 30
A photograph of artist Maksym Vegera standing by the fire line at Hrushevskoho Street with an easel went viral overnight. In sub-freezing temperatures, the artist worked for seven hours one day to create a painting, inspired by the atmosphere of a fight for freedom. Read the story.
Here are the top 10 EuroMaidan Revolution videos:
https://archive.kyivpost.com/guide/about-kyiv/euromaidan-revolutions-top-video-341162.html
Here are other links to sampling of best stories from November through start of Russian invasion of Crimea.
NOVEMBER 2013
Nov. 14 –– Rallies, grassroots actions mostly missing in EU drive
Nov. 21 – No Deal
Nov. 22 — Nine years after start of Orange Revolution, Kyivans take to streets in protest of scuttled EU deal
DECEMBER 2013
Dec. 9 — Awesome panoramic video, photos prove it really was a march of a million (VIDEO, PHOTO)
Dec. 12 – Katya Gorchinskaya: Birth of a nation
Dec. 19 – Heroes of EuroMaidan
JANUARY 2014
Jan. 29 – Katya Gorchinskaya: The ruling party’s view of EuroMaidan
FEBRUARY 2014
Feb. 13 – Guide to EuroMaidan
Feb. 21 – Bloodlust: At least 75 killed in week of carnage
Feb. 21 – Police camp outside parliament
Feb. 23 – Where is Viktor Yanukovych?
Feb. 28 — Wanted For Mass Murder: Viktor Yanukovych
MARCH 2014
March 11 – Crimea relies on mainland Ukraine for water, gas, electricity
March 28 – State Of War
March 30 – EuroMaidan Revolution’s top videos
APRIL 2014
April 7 – Surveillance camera catches Pshonka, Klymenko fleeing Ukraine