Euromaidan#Protests across Ukraine

File:Anti-government protests in Kiev (13087651675).jpg, 29 December 2013]]

The demonstrations began on the night of 21 November 2013, when protests erupted in the capital Kyiv. The protests were launched following the Ukrainian government's suspension of preparations for signing the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement in favour of closer economic relations with Russia and rejection of draft laws which would have allowed the release of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.{{cite news |title=Ukraine drops EU plans and looks to Russia |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html |access-date=24 November 2013 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=21 November 2013 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062021/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html |url-status=live }} The shift away from the European Union (EU) was preceded by a campaign of threats, insults and preemptive trade restrictions from Russia.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-14 |title=Russia seeks to derail Ukraine's trade deal with E.U., deploying taunts and insults |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-seeks-to-derail-ukraines-trade-deal-with-eu-deploying-taunts-and-insults/2013/09/21/85930d4e-22e3-11e3-ad1a-1a919f2ed890_story.html |access-date=14 September 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232318/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-seeks-to-derail-ukraines-trade-deal-with-eu-deploying-taunts-and-insults/2013/09/21/85930d4e-22e3-11e3-ad1a-1a919f2ed890_story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Russia's Medvedev warns Ukraine over joining EU trade bloc |language=en-US |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-russia-ukraine-trade/russias-medvedev-warns-ukraine-over-joining-eu-trade-bloc-idUKBRE9880NN20130909 |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=14 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914105249/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-russia-ukraine-trade/russias-medvedev-warns-ukraine-over-joining-eu-trade-bloc-idUKBRE9880NN20130909 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Russia threatens Ukraine with bankruptcy over plans to sign EU agreement |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10327027/Russia-threatens-Ukraine-with-bankruptcy-over-plans-to-sign-EU-agreement.html |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=22 September 2013 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232318/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10327027/Russia-threatens-Ukraine-with-bankruptcy-over-plans-to-sign-EU-agreement.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=EU: Russia to blame for failure of Ukraine deal |url=https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2013/11/30/eu-russia-to-blame-for-failure-of-ukraine-deal/47628491/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=The Herald-Times |language=en-US |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232820/https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2013/11/30/eu-russia-to-blame-for-failure-of-ukraine-deal/47628491/ |url-status=live }}

After a few days of demonstrations, an increasing number of university students joined the protests.[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/26/students-in-ukraine-threaten-indefinite-national-strike/ Students in Ukraine threaten indefinite national strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223517/http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/26/students-in-ukraine-threaten-indefinite-national-strike/ |date=2 December 2013 }}, Euronews (26 November 2013) The Euromaidan has been characterised as an event of major political symbolism for the European Union itself, particularly as "the largest ever pro-European rally in history."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/12/12/does-europe-need-ukraine/ukraine-offers-europe-economic-growth-and-more|title=Ukraine Offers Europe Economic Growth and More|newspaper=The New York Times|date=12 December 2013|access-date=21 January 2014|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128093724/https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/12/12/does-europe-need-ukraine/ukraine-offers-europe-economic-growth-and-more|url-status=live}}

The protests continued despite heavy police presence,{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Kyiv |date=2013-12-01 |title=EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine - Nov. 29 coverage - Dec. 01, 2013 |url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/euromaidan/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-nov-29-coverage-332729.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Kyiv Post |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232820/https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/euromaidan/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-nov-29-coverage-332729.html |url-status=live }}[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/27/protests-continue-in-kyiv-ahead-of-vilnius-eu-summit/ Protests continue in Kyiv ahead of Vilnius EU summit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202204956/http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/27/protests-continue-in-kyiv-ahead-of-vilnius-eu-summit/ |date=2 December 2013 }}, Euronews (27 November 2013) regular sub-freezing temperatures, and snow. Escalating violence from government forces in the early morning of 30 November caused the level of protests to rise, with 400,000–800,000 protesters demonstrating in Kyiv on the weekends of 1 and 8 December, according to Russia's opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25290959|title=Ukraine's capital Kiev gripped by huge pro-EU demonstration|work=BBC News|date=8 December 2013|access-date=8 December 2013|archive-date=11 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411023244/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25290959|url-status=live}} In the preceding weeks, protest attendance had fluctuated from 50,000 to 200,000 during organised rallies.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BL09220131222|first1=Olzhas|last1=Auyezov|first2=Jack|last2=Stubbs|title=Ukraine opposition urges more protests, forms political bloc|work=Reuters|date=22 December 2013|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=26 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226005103/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BL09220131222|url-status=live}}[http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-idUKBREA0B0KE20140112 Ukraine pro-Europe protesters hold first big rally of 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726033551/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-idUKBREA0B0KE20140112 |date=26 July 2020 }}, Reuters (12 January 2014) Violent riots took place on 1 December and from 19 January through 25 January in response to police brutality and government repression.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/no-looting-or-anarchy-in-this-euromaidan-revolution-335296.html|title=No Looting or Anarchy in this Euromaidan Revolution|newspaper=Kyiv Post|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005022056/http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/no-looting-or-anarchy-in-this-euromaidan-revolution-335296.html|url-status=live}} Starting 23 January, several Western Ukrainian oblast (province) government buildings and regional councils were occupied in a revolt by Euromaidan activists. In the Russophone cities of Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk, protesters also tried to take over their local government buildings and were met with considerable resistance from both police and government supporters.

According to journalist Lecia Bushak, writing in the 18 February 2014 issue of Newsweek magazine,

EuroMaidan [had] grown into something far bigger than just an angry response to the fallen-through EU deal. It's now about ousting Yanukovych and his corrupt government; guiding Ukraine away from its 200-year-long, deeply intertwined and painful relationship with Russia; and standing up for basic human rights to protest, speak and think freely and to act peacefully without the threat of punishment.{{cite news|title=Kiev's Minstrel of the Street Revolution|url=http://mag.newsweek.com/2014/02/21/kiev-s-minstrel-street-revolution.html |website=Newsweek |first=Lecia |last=Bushak |date=18 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304021040/http://mag.newsweek.com/2014/02/21/kiev-s-minstrel-street-revolution.html |archive-date=4 March 2014 |access-date=19 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Late February marked a turning point when many members of the president's party fled or defected, causing it to lose its majority in the Verkhovna Rada, the country's national parliament. A sufficient number of opposition members remained to form the necessary quorum, allowing parliament to pass a series of laws that removed police from Kyiv, canceled anti-protest operations, restored the 2004 constitution, freed political detainees, and removed President Yanukovych from office. Yanukovych then fled to Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv, refusing to recognise the parliament's decisions. The parliament assigned early elections for May 2014.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Max |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/02/20/ukraines-parliament-just-threw-president-yanukovych-under-the-bus-thats-great-news/ |title=Ukraine's parliament just threw President Yanukovych under the bus. That's great news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=20 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232826/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/02/20/ukraines-parliament-just-threw-president-yanukovych-under-the-bus-thats-great-news/ |url-status=live }}

In early 2019, a Ukrainian court found Yanukovych guilty of treason. Yanukovych was also charged with asking Vladimir Putin to send Russian troops to invade Ukraine after he had fled the country. The charges have had little practical effect on Yanukovych, who has lived in exile in the Russian city of Rostov since fleeing Ukraine under armed guard in 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/25/ukraine-ex-president-viktor-yanukovych-found-guilty-of-treason|title=Ukraine's ex-president Viktor Yanukovych found guilty of treason|last=Roth|first=Andrew|date=25 January 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 February 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531205903/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/25/ukraine-ex-president-viktor-yanukovych-found-guilty-of-treason|url-status=live}}

The term "Euromaidan" was initially used as a hashtag on Twitter after a Twitter account named Euromaidan was created on the first day of the protests.{{cite web|title=Євромандай|trans-title=Euromaidan|url=https://www.twitter.com/euromaidan/status/403636218065211393|publisher=Twitter|access-date=10 December 2013|date=21 November 2013|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409124611/https://twitter.com/euromaidan/status/403636218065211393|url-status=live}} The title soon became popular across international media.{{cite news|last=Chervonenko|first=Vitalii|title=Ukraine's EU options 'still open'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25087160|access-date=2 December 2013|date=25 November 2013|agency=BBC News|archive-date=23 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723183422/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25087160|url-status=live}}

The name is composed of two parts: "Euro", which is short for Europe, reflecting the pro-European aspirations of the protestors, and "maidan", referring to Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), a large square in downtown Kyiv where the protests mostly took place. The word "Maidan" is a Persian word meaning "square" or "open space". It is a loanword in many other languages and was adopted into the Ukrainian language during the period of Ottoman Empire influence on Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2013-12-02 |title=Ukraine's Euromaidan: What's in a name? |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-c920a5f8b5c343f4b888a36bad899091 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102031004/https://apnews.com/general-news-c920a5f8b5c343f4b888a36bad899091 |url-status=live }} During the protests, the word "Maidan" acquired the meaning of the public practice of politics and protest.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/mar/20/fascism-russia-and-ukraine/ |title=Fascism, Russia, and Ukraine |author=Timothy Snyder |magazine=The New York Review of Books |date=20 March 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |quote=But a maidan now means in Ukrainian what the Greek word agora means in English: not just a marketplace where people happen to meet, but a place where they deliberately meet, precisely in order to deliberate, to speak, and to create a political society. During the protests the word maidan has come to mean the act of public politics itself, so that for example people who use their cars to organize public actions and protect other protestors are called the automaidan. |archive-date=27 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127154227/https://nybooks.com/articles/2014/03/20/fascism-russia-and-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}

When Euromaidan first began, media outlets in Ukraine dubbed the movement Eurorevolution{{Cite web |date=2013-12-03 |title=Anders Aslund: Euro revolution in Ukraine |url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/anders-aslund-euro-revolution-in-ukraine-332865.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Kyiv Post |archive-date=13 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513173101/https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/anders-aslund-euro-revolution-in-ukraine-332865.html |url-status=live }} ({{langx|uk|Єврореволюція}}, Russian: Еврореволюция).{{Cite journal |last=Portnov |first=Andriy |date=2015-05-04 |title=Ukraine's "Eurorevolution": Chronology and Interpretations |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10611940.2015.1053782 |journal=Russian Politics & Law |language=en |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=6–27 |doi=10.1080/10611940.2015.1053782 |s2cid=142538039 |issn=1061-1940 |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115043948/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10611940.2015.1053782 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}{{Cite book |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/event/UpheavalUkraine.pdf |title=Upheaval in Ukraine: Shape and Significance of a Revolution |publisher=Wilson Center |year=2014 |series=Religion & Society in East and West |volume=42 |language=en |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232817/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/event/UpheavalUkraine.pdf |url-status=live }} The term "Ukrainian Spring" was also occasionally used during the protests, echoing the term Arab Spring.{{cite web |date=6 December 2013 |title=Kerry in Moldova Supports Ukrainian 'Spring' |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/174877 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207232344/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/174877 |archive-date=7 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |website=Israel National News}}{{cite web |last=Verger |first=Rob |date=9 December 2013 |title=Photo Essay: The Ukrainian Spring |url=http://www.newsweek.com/photo-essay-ukrainian-spring-224218 |access-date=3 March 2014 |work=Newsweek |archive-date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303233420/http://www.newsweek.com/photo-essay-ukrainian-spring-224218 |url-status=live }}

{{main|Ukraine–European Union relations|Russia–Ukraine relations}}

On 30 March 2012, the European Union (EU) and Ukraine initiated an Association Agreement;[http://www.ceps.eu/system/files/simplenews/2011/05/NWatch80.pdf European Neighbourhood Watch Issue 80] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913190204/http://www.ceps.eu/system/files/simplenews/2011/05/NWatch80.pdf |date=13 September 2014 }}, Centre for European Policy (March 2012) however, EU leaders later stated that the agreement would not be ratified unless Ukraine addressed concerns over a "stark deterioration of democracy and the rule of law", including the imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuriy Lutsenko in 2011 and 2012.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-jailed-tymoshenko-calls-off-hunger-strike-316252.html Ukraine's jailed Tymoshenko calls off hunger strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125105245/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-jailed-tymoshenko-calls-off-hunger-strike-316252.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Kyiv Post (16 November 2012){{#tag:ref|On 7 April 2013 a decree by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych freed Yuriy Lutsenko from prison and exempted him from further punishment.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22061269 Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych pardons Yulia Tymoshenko allies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120015412/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22061269 |date=20 January 2016 }}, BBC News (8 April 2013)|group=nb}} In the months leading up to the protests, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych urged the parliament to adopt laws so that Ukraine would meet the EU's criteria.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/175853.html "EU Commissioner Fule expects Rada to pass European integration bills on November 21"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125091913/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/175853.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (20 November 2013){{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=Ukrainian president asks for laws to be passed to facilitate EU association agreement {{!}} Euronews |url=http://www.euronews.com/2013/09/03/ukranian-president-asks-for-laws-to-be-passed-to-facilitate-eu-association-/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117165954/http://www.euronews.com/2013/09/03/ukranian-president-asks-for-laws-to-be-passed-to-facilitate-eu-association-/ |archive-date=17 November 2020 }} On 25 September 2013, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Rybak expressed confidence that parliament would pass all the laws needed to fulfill the EU's criteria since, except for the Communist Party of Ukraine, "[t]he Verkhovna Rada has united around these bills."[http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=446824 EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to be signed, Ukraine to go to Europe – speaker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118200106/http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=446824 |date=18 January 2015 }}, Interfax (25 September 2013) According to Pavlo Klimkin, one of the Ukrainian negotiators of the Association Agreement, initially "the Russians simply did not believe [the association agreement with the EU] could come true. They didn't believe in our ability to negotiate a good agreement and didn't believe in our commitment to implement a good agreement."[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/klimkin-russia-trying-to-force-renegotiation-of-minsk-deals-377709.html Klimkin: Russia trying to force renegotiation of Minsk deals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124003659/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/klimkin-russia-trying-to-force-renegotiation-of-minsk-deals-377709.html |date=24 January 2016 }}, Kyiv Post (18 January 2015)

In mid-August 2013, Russia changed its customs regulations on imports from Ukraine[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182691.html Eased Russian customs rules to save Ukraine $1.5 bln in 2014, says minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125113824/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182691.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013) such that on 14 August 2013, the Russian Customs Service stopped all goods coming from Ukraine[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-employers-federation-russias-customs-service-halts-all-ukrainian-imports-328360.html Ukraine's Employers Federation: Russia's customs service halts all Ukrainian imports] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628034354/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-employers-federation-russias-customs-service-halts-all-ukrainian-imports-328360.html |date=28 June 2014 }}. Kyiv Post. 14 August 2013. and prompted politicians[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/russia-sets-off-trade-war-to-prevent-ukraine-from-signing-agreement-with-eu-says-udar-328366.html Russia sets off trade war to prevent Ukraine from signing agreement with EU, says UDAR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224173137/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/russia-sets-off-trade-war-to-prevent-ukraine-from-signing-agreement-with-eu-says-udar-328366.html |date=24 February 2014 }}. Kyiv Post. 14 August 2013.
{{cite news|title=Ukraine Leader Ignores Putin Warning on EU Path|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/reu-ukraine-ignores-putin-warning-eu/1736436.html|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=Voice of America|date=24 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055619/http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-ukraine-ignores-putin-warning-eu/1736436.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Russia hits at Ukraine with chocolate war|url=http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/russia-hits-ukraine-chocolate-wa-news-529804|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=EurActiv|date=14 August 2013|archive-date=7 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907075902/http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/russia-hits-ukraine-chocolate-wa-news-529804|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Trading insults|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21583998-trade-war-sputters-tussle-over-ukraines-future-intensifies-trading-insults|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=The Economist Newspaper|date=24 August 2013|archive-date=1 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901172041/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21583998-trade-war-sputters-tussle-over-ukraines-future-intensifies-trading-insults|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Putin warns Ukraine against EU pact|url=http://euobserver.com/foreign/121189|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=euobserver|date=23 August 2013|archive-date=27 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827160310/http://euobserver.com/foreign/121189|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Ukraine PM tells Russia to accept "reality" of EU trade deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-russia-azarov-idUSBRE97R0JM20130828|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=Reuters|date=28 August 2013|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116195427/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-russia-azarov-idUSBRE97R0JM20130828|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Putin 'deserves medal' for pushing Ukraine towards EU|url=http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/putin-deserved-medal-pushing-ukr-news-530038|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=Euractiv|date=30 August 2013|archive-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902052257/http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/putin-deserved-medal-pushing-ukr-news-530038|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=О комплексе мер по вовлечению Украины в евразийский интеграционный процесс|trans-title=On a set of measures to involve Ukraine in the Eurasian integration process|url=http://gazeta.zn.ua/internal/o-komplekse-mer-po-vovlecheniyu-ukrainy-v-evraziyskiy-integracionnyy-process-_.html|access-date=1 September 2013|newspaper=Зеркало недели. Украина|date=16 August 2013|archive-date=30 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830084935/http://gazeta.zn.ua/internal/o-komplekse-mer-po-vovlecheniyu-ukrainy-v-evraziyskiy-integracionnyy-process-_.html|url-status=dead}}
[https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/08/does-russia-have-a-secret-plan-for-ukraine/278894/ Does Russia Have a Secret Plan for Ukraine?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313214937/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/08/does-russia-have-a-secret-plan-for-ukraine/278894/ |date=13 March 2017 }}, The Atlantic (21 August 2013)
[http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/86079 Caught in a Zeitnot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210013156/http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/86079 |date=10 February 2016 }}, The Ukrainian Week (6 August 2013) and media[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25051141 Ukraine media see Kremlin pressure over EU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129020530/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25051141 |date=29 November 2018 }}, BBC News (22 November 2013)
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 Q&A: Stand-off in Ukraine over EU agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218180637/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 |date=18 December 2013 }}, BBC News (29 December 2013)
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25401179 Analysis: Russia's carrot-and-stick battle for Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123193709/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25401179 |date=23 November 2018 }}, BBC News (17 December 2013)[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182691.html Eased Russian customs rules to save Ukraine $1.5 bln in 2014, says minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125113824/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182691.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013)
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182651.html Russia to lift restrictions on Ukrainian pipe imports – Ukrainian ministry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920012527/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182651.html |date=20 September 2020 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013)
[https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-ukraine-customs-idUSL6N0GG17S20130815 Russia tightens customs rules to force Ukraine into union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127191435/https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-ukraine-customs-idUSL6N0GG17S20130815 |date=27 November 2021 }}, Reuters (15 August 2013)[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25411118 Russia cuts Ukraine gas price by a third] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617125946/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25411118 |date=17 June 2019 }}, BBC News (17 December 2013) to view the move as the start of a trade war against Ukraine to prevent the country from signing the Association Agreement with the EU. Ukrainian Industrial Policy Minister Mykhailo Korolenko reported on 18 December 2013 that the new Russian trade restrictions had caused Ukraine's exports to drop by $1.4 billion (or a 10% year-on-year decrease through the first 10 months of the year). In November 2013, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine recorded that in comparison with the same months of 2012, in 2013 industrial production in Ukraine had fallen by 4.9% in October, 5.6% in September, and 5.4% in August, with an year-total loss of 1.8% industrial output compared to 2012 levels.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/decline-in-industrial-production-in-ukraine-in-october-2013-slows-to-49-percent-332016.html Decline in industrial production in Ukraine in October 2013 slows to 4.9 percent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125230554/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/decline-in-industrial-production-in-ukraine-in-october-2013-slows-to-49-percent-332016.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Kyiv Post (18 November 2013)

On 21 November 2013, the Ukrainian government decree suspended preparations for the signing of the Association Agreement.{{cite web|title=ORDER OF THE CABINET OF MINISTERS OF UKRAINE|work=Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України |url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/905-2013-%D1%80/ed20131121#Text|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-date=2 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202033835/http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/905-2013-%D1%80/ed20131121#Text|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Ukraine drops EU plans and looks to Russia|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html|publisher=aljazeera.com|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062021/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-drops-eu-plans-looks-russia-20131121145417227621.html|url-status=live}}[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176135.html Cox-Kwasniewski mission to continue until Eastern Partnership Summit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729141721/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176135.html |date=29 July 2020 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (21 November 2013) The reason given was that in the previous months, Ukraine had experienced "a drop in industrial production and our relations with CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] countries".{{#tag:ref|On 20 December 2013 Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov stated that the public had not been given clear explanations by the authorities of the reason of the decree suspended preparations for signing of the association agreement.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/183315.html Azarov: Ukraine would face crisis if it signed Association Agreement with EU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224110226/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/183315.html |date=24 December 2013 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (21 December 2013)|group=nb}} The government also assured, "Ukraine will resume preparing the agreement when the drop in industrial production and our relations with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries are compensated by the European market."[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176144.html Ukraine to resume preparing agreement with EU when compensation for production drop found – Boiko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125114543/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/176144.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (21 November 2013) According to Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, "the extremely harsh conditions" of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan (presented by the IMF on 20 November 2013), which included big budget cuts and a 40% increase in gas bills, had been the last argument in favour of the government's decision to suspend preparations for signing the Association Agreement.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/23/world/europe/ukraine-blames-imf-for-collapse-of-accord-with-european-union.html|title=Ukraine Blames I.M.F. for Halt to Agreements With Europe|author=David M. Herszenhorn|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 November 2013|access-date=10 December 2013|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308162515/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/23/world/europe/ukraine-blames-imf-for-collapse-of-accord-with-european-union.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/10469065/Historic-defeat-for-EU-as-Ukraine-returns-to-Kremlin-control.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/10469065/Historic-defeat-for-EU-as-Ukraine-returns-to-Kremlin-control.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Historic defeat for EU as Ukraine returns to Kremlin control|author=Ambrose Evans-Pritchard|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 November 2013|access-date=10 December 2013}}{{cbignore}} On 7 December 2013, the IMF clarified that it was not insisting on a single-stage increase in natural gas tariffs in Ukraine by 40%, but recommended that they be gradually raised to an economically justified level while compensating the poorest segments of the population for the losses from the increase by strengthening targeted social assistance.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179958.html MF not insisting on single-stage increase in tariffs, says resident representative in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125145455/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179958.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (7 December 2013) The same day, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Jerome Vacher stated that this particular IMF loan was worth US$4 billion and that it would be linked with "policy, which would remove disproportions and stimulate growth".[http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/imf_links_loan_amount_to_ukraine_with_reforms_314404 IMF links loan amount to Ukraine with reforms] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125163213/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/imf_links_loan_amount_to_ukraine_with_reforms_314404 |date=25 January 2014 }}, Ukrinform (7 December 2013){{#tag:ref|On 10 December President Yanukovych stated "We will certainly resume the IMF negotiations. If there are conditions that suit us, we will take that path." However, Yanukovych also (once again) stated that the conditions put forward by the IMF were unacceptable "I had a conversation with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, who told me that the issue of the IMF loan has almost been solved, but I told him that if the conditions remained ... we did not need such loans."[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/180825.html Ukraine to resume talks with IMF soon, says Yanukovych] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125090634/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/180825.html |date=25 January 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (10 December 2013)|group=nb}}

President Yanukovych attended the 28–29 November 2013 EU summit in Vilnius, where the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement was originally planned to be finalised but the agreement was not signed.[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/ukraine-fails-to-sign-landmark-deal-at-eu-summit/ Ukraine fails to sign landmark deal at EU summit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413190006/http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/ukraine-fails-to-sign-landmark-deal-at-eu-summit/ |date=13 April 2020 }}, Euronews (29 November 2013)[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/ukraine-s-rejection-of-eu-deal-brings-rival-rallies-at-home/ Ukraine's rejection of EU deal brings rival rallies at home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726114705/https://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/ukraine-s-rejection-of-eu-deal-brings-rival-rallies-at-home |date=26 July 2020 }}, Euronews (29 November 2013) Both Yanukovych and high level EU officials signalled that they wanted to sign the Association Agreement at a later date.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/177747.html Barroso: EU to continue its dialog with Ukraine on principles of mutual respect, transparency and responsibility] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026043332/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/177747.html |date=26 October 2020 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (29 November 2013)[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/eu-and-ukraine-say-door-still-open-for-future-trade-pact/ EU and Ukraine say 'door still open' for future trade pact] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023010641/https://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/eu-and-ukraine-say-door-still-open-for-future-trade-pact |date=23 October 2020 }}, Euronews (29 November 2013)[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/yanukovich-says-ukraine-eu-deal-is-suspended-not-cancelled/ Yanukovych says Ukraine-EU deal is suspended, not cancelled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031111824/https://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/yanukovich-says-ukraine-eu-deal-is-suspended-not-cancelled |date=31 October 2020 }}, Euronews (29 November 2013) Yanukovych later explained to his entourage the decision was the result of an exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had allegedly threatened to occupy Crimea and a sizable part of southeastern Ukraine, including the Donbas, if he signed the EU agreement.{{cite book |last=Plokhy |first=Serhii |author-link=Serhii Plokhy |date=2023 |title=The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H2F_EAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT1 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-1-324-05119-0 |pages=94–95 |access-date=9 June 2024 |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602220908/https://books.google.com/books?id=H2F_EAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT1 |url-status=live }}

In an interview with American journalist Lally Weymouth for The Washington Post, Ukrainian billionaire businessman and opposition leader Petro Poroshenko stated:

{{Blockquote|text=From the beginning, I was one of the organizers of the Maidan. My television channel—Channel 5—played a tremendously important role. We gave the opportunity to the journalists to tell the truth.... On the 11th of December, when we had [U.S. Assistant Secretary of State] Victoria Nuland and [E.U. diplomat] Catherine Ashton in Kyiv, during the night they started to storm the Maidan. I put my car in front of the riot police.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interview-with-ukrainian-presidential-candidate-petro-poroshenko/2014/04/25/74c73a48-cbbd-11e3-93eb-6c0037dde2ad_story.html | title=Interview with Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=25 April 2014 | access-date=16 September 2018 | first=Lally | last=Weymouth | archive-date=4 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604095721/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interview-with-ukrainian-presidential-candidate-petro-poroshenko/2014/04/25/74c73a48-cbbd-11e3-93eb-6c0037dde2ad_story.html | url-status=live }}}}

On 11 December 2013, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced that he had asked for €20 billion (US$27 billion) in loans and financial aid to offset the cost of the EU deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/101265041 |title=EU talking to IMF, World Bank, others about Ukraine assistance |publisher=CNBC |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=15 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215212348/http://www.cnbc.com/id/101265041 |url-status=dead }} The EU was willing to offer €610 million (US$838 million) in loans with the condition of major reforms to Ukrainian laws and regulations while Russia was willing to offer US$15 billion in loans and cheaper gas prices with no legal reform preconditions.{{cite web |date=17 December 2013 |title=Ukraine leader seeks cash at Kremlin to fend off crisis |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2013/12/17/ukraine-leader-seeks-cash-at-kremlin-to-fend-off-crisis.html |access-date=3 March 2014 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808090926/https://www.cnbc.com/2013/12/17/ukraine-leader-seeks-cash-at-kremlin-to-fend-off-crisis.html |url-status=live }}

File:Opposition leaders.jpg, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Oleh Tyahnybok, addressing demonstrators, 27 November 2013]]

On 29 November, a formal resolution by protest organisers declared three demands:

1. The formation of a coordinating committee to communicate with the European community.
2. A statement indicating that the president, parliament, and the Cabinet of Ministers were not capable of carrying out a geopolitically strategic course of development for the state and demanding Yanukovych's resignation.
3. The cessation of political repression against EuroMaidan activists, students, civic activists and opposition leaders.

The resolution stated that on 1 December, on the 22nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence referendum, the group would gather at noon on Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) to announce their further course of action.

After the forced police dispersal of all protesters from Maidan Nezalezhnosti on the night of 30 November, the dismissal of Minister of Internal Affairs Vitaliy Zakharchenko became one of the protesters' main demands.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179588.html Ukraine's interior minister has no intention to resign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101191030/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179588.html |date=1 November 2020 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (5 December 2013) Ukrainian students nationwide also demanded the dismissal of Minister of Education Dmytro Tabachnyk after a draft law potentially increasing tuition fees was proposed.{{Cite news |date=2011-03-01 |title=Ukraine Students Demand Minister Quit |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine_students_demand_minister_resign/2323465.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618232821/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine_students_demand_minister_resign/2323465.html |url-status=live }} A petition to the United States' White House demanding sanctions against Viktor Yanukovych and Ukrainian government ministers gathered over 100,000 signatures in four days.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/more-than-100000-people-petition-obama-for-sanctions-against-yanukovych-332676.html More than 100,000 people petition Obama for sanctions against Yanukovych] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127100242/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/more-than-100000-people-petition-obama-for-sanctions-against-yanukovych-332676.html |date=27 November 2015 }}. Kyiv Post. 30 November 2013[http://www.unn.com.ua/en/exclusive/1278200-ssha-ne-rozglyadatime-petitsiyu-proti-v-yanukovicha-ale-stosunki-mizh-krayinami-pogirshatsya-o-garan The United States will not consider a petition against Yanukovych, but relations between the two countries deteriorate – O.Haran] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012350/http://www.unn.com.ua/en/exclusive/1278200-ssha-ne-rozglyadatime-petitsiyu-proti-v-yanukovicha-ale-stosunki-mizh-krayinami-pogirshatsya-o-garan |date=3 December 2013 }}. unn.com[http://zik.ua/en/news/2013/11/28/petition_for_sanctions_against_yanukovych_gathers_45000_votes_442802 Petition for sanctions against Yanukovych gathers 45,000 votes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202154925/https://zik.ua/en/news/2013/11/28/petition_for_sanctions_against_yanukovych_gathers_45000_votes_442802 |date=2 December 2020 }}. ZIK.

On 5 December, Batkivshchyna faction leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated,

Our three demands to the Verkhovna Rada and the president remained unchanged: the resignation of the government; the release of all political prisoners, first and foremost; [the release of former Ukrainian Prime Minister] Yulia Tymoshenko; and [the release of] nine individuals [who were illegally convicted after being present at a rally on Bankova Street on December 1]; the suspension of all criminal cases; and the arrest of all Berkut officers who were involved in the illegal beating up of children on Maidan Nezalezhnosti.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179477.html Yatseniuk: Current political crisis cannot be resolved through parliamentary methods] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207071857/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179477.html |date=7 December 2013 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (5 December 2013)

The opposition also demanded that the government resume negotiations with the IMF for a loan that they saw as key to helping Ukraine "through economic troubles that have made Yanukovych lean toward Russia".[http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-opposition-no-talks-unless-government-fired-1.2455476 Ukraine opposition: no talks unless government fired] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923165949/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-opposition-no-talks-unless-government-fired-1.2455476 |date=23 September 2020 }}, CBC News (7 December 2013)

{{multiple image

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{{Main|Timeline of the Euromaidan}}

The Euromaidan protest movement began late at night on 21 November 2013 as a peaceful protest. The 1,500 protesters were summoned following a Facebook post by a journalist, Mustafa Nayyem, calling for a rally against the government.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/opinion/ukraines-battle-for-europe.html|title=Ukraine's Battle for Europe|work=The New York Times |last=Kotsyuba |first=Oleh |date=29 November 2013|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=30 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130115515/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/opinion/ukraines-battle-for-europe.html}}{{cite news |url=http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/uprising-ukraine-how-it-all-began |title=Uprising in Ukraine: How It All Began |work=Open Society Foundations: voices |date=4 April 2014 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=18 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418221739/http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/uprising-ukraine-how-it-all-began}}

On 30 November 2013, protests were dispersed violently by Berkut riot police units.{{cite web|publisher=Kyiv-Mohyla Law and Politics Journal|url=https://kse.ua/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/52673-106429-1-SM.pdf|title=The Winter of Our Discontent: Emotions and Contentious Politics in Ukraine during Euromaidan|author=Ivan Gomza and Nadiia Koval|access-date=2 April 2019|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233321/https://kse.ua/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/52673-106429-1-SM.pdf|url-status=live}} On 1 December, more than half a million Kyivans joined the protests in order to defend the students "and to protect society in the face of crippling authoritarianism",{{cite book |last=Plokhy |first=Serhii |author-link=Serhii Plokhy |date=2023 |title=The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H2F_EAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT1 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-1-324-05119-0 |pages=95–96 |access-date=9 June 2024 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618225338/https://books.google.com/books?id=H2F_EAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT1 |url-status=live }} and through December, further clashes with the authorities and political ultimatums by the opposition ensued. This culminated in a series of anti-protest laws by the government on 16 January 2014 and further rioting on Hrushevskoho Street. Early February 2014 saw a bombing of the Trade Unions Building,{{cite web |author=T12:21+02:00 12:21 7 February 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/189212.html |title=Ukrainian Interior Ministry has questions about a Thursday blast at Trade Unions House in Kyiv |publisher=En.interfax.com.ua |date=20 October 2012 |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919194349/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/189212.html |url-status=live }} as well as the formation of "Self Defense" teams by protesters.{{cite news|title=Opposition leaders call for people to join self-defense teams to protect EuroMaidan|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/kyivs-weekly-sunday-rally-under-way-as-several-thousand-euromaidan-demonstrators-gather-336551.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=9 February 2014|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910213525/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/kyivs-weekly-sunday-rally-under-way-as-several-thousand-euromaidan-demonstrators-gather-336551.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|1 December 2013 Euromaidan protests}}

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{{main|11 December 2013 Euromaidan assault}}

{{main|2014 Hrushevskoho Street protests}}

On 19 January, up to 200,000 protesters gathered in central Kyiv to oppose the new anti-protest laws, dubbed the Dictatorship Laws.{{cite news|title=EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine (Jan. 19 live updates)|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-jan-19-live-updates-335218.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=19 January 2014|access-date=19 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119200703/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-jan-19-live-updates-335218.html|archive-date=19 January 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nst.com.my/latest/200-000-mass-in-ukraine-in-defiance-of-protest-curbs-1.466059 |title=200,000 mass in Ukraine in defiance of protest curbs |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=19 January 2014 |access-date=19 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119221436/http://www.nst.com.my/latest/200-000-mass-in-ukraine-in-defiance-of-protest-curbs-1.466059 |archive-date=19 January 2014 }} Many protesters ignored the face concealment ban by wearing party masks, hard hats and gas masks.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25798320 |title=Ukraine crisis: Clashes after thousands defy protest ban |work=BBC News |date=19 January 2014 |access-date=19 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119053902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25798320 |archive-date=19 January 2014}} They attempted to march from the Maidan to the parliament buildings. Fierce clashes broke out on Hrushevsky Street when the protest march was blocked by riot police. The violent standoff continued for three days, during which three protesters were shot dead by riot police.

{{main|Revolution of Dignity}}

The deadliest clashes were on 18–20 February, which saw the most severe violence in Ukraine since it regained independence.{{cite news |title=Europe's new battlefield |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2014/02/20/europes-new-battlefield |newspaper=The Economist |date=22 February 2014 |quote=It is the worst violence Ukraine has known in its 22 years as an independent country |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315015014/https://www.economist.com/briefing/2014/02/20/europes-new-battlefield |url-status=live }} Thousands of protesters advanced towards parliament, led by activists with shields and helmets, and were fired on by the Berkut and police snipers. Almost 100 were killed.{{cite news |title=Ukraine Health Ministry: Kyiv unrest death toll reaches 100 |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-health-ministry-kyiv-unrest-death-toll-reaches-100-338563.html/ |access-date=6 March 2014 |work=Kyiv Post}}

On 21 February, an agreement was signed by Yanukovych and leaders of the parliamentary opposition (Vitaly Klitschko, Arseny Yatsenyuk, Oleh Tyahnybok) under the mediation of EU and Russian representatives. There was to be an interim unity government formed, constitutional reforms to reduce the president's powers, and early elections. Protesters were to leave occupied buildings and squares, and the government would not apply a state of emergency. The United States supported a stipulation that Yanukovych remain president in the meantime, but Maidan protesters demanded his resignation. The signing was witnessed by Foreign Ministers of Poland, Germany and France.{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/891313-garantom-vyipolneniya-soglasheniya-ob-uregulirovanii-krizisa-v-ukraine-yavlyaetsya-narod-tombinskiy.html|title=Гарантом выполнения Соглашения об урегулировании кризиса в Украине является народ – Томбинский|trans-title=The guarantor of the implementation of the Agreement on the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine is the people - Tombinsky|work=unian.net|date=28 February 2014 |access-date=12 April 2015|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304051025/http://www.unian.net/politics/891313-garantom-vyipolneniya-soglasheniya-ob-uregulirovanii-krizisa-v-ukraine-yavlyaetsya-narod-tombinskiy.html|url-status=live}} The Russian representative would not sign the agreement.

The next day, 22 February, Yanukovych fled to Donetsk and Crimea and parliament voted to remove him from office.{{cite news|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26302277|title=Ukraine conflict: Tymoshenko speech ends historic day of revolution|date=22 February 2014|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213005700/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26302277|url-status=live}}{{cite web|work=Financial Times|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8faf984a-9bda-11e3-afe3-00144feab7de.html|title=Yanukovich toppled in new Ukrainian revolution|date=22 February 2014|author=Neil Buckley and Roman Olearchyk|access-date=22 October 2014|archive-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624092740/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8faf984a-9bda-11e3-afe3-00144feab7de.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/yanukovych-man-sparks-revolution-ukraine-193436462.html |title=Yanukovych: The man who sparks revolution in Ukraine |agency=Agence France-Presse |work=Yahoo! News |date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://news.yahoo.com/yanukovych-man-sparks-revolution-ukraine-193436462.html |archive-date=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead }} On 24 February, Yanukovych arrived in Russia.{{cite news|url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/387061.html|title=Yanukovych reveals, that when Parliament voted about his self-removal, he was in Donetsk|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=28 November 2016|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605213106/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/387061.html|url-status=live}}

A 24 November 2013 protest in Ivano-Frankivsk saw several thousand protestors gather at the regional administration building.{{cite news|last=Interfax-Ukraine|title=Lviv students want EU deal signed|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/lviv-students-want-eu-deal-signed-332427.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=25 November 2013|access-date=25 December 2013|archive-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121023652/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/lviv-students-want-eu-deal-signed-332427.html|url-status=live}} No classes were held in the universities of western Ukrainian cities such as Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Uzhhorod.{{cite news|last=Bershidsky|first=Leonid|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/Ukrainians-protest-rejection-of-EU-for-Russia---233505141.html|title=Ukrainians protest rejection of EU for Russia|work=Winnipeg Free Press|date=16 April 2010|access-date=27 November 2013|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202183831/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/Ukrainians-protest-rejection-of-EU-for-Russia---233505141.html|url-status=live}} Protests also took place in other large Ukrainian cities, such as Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro), and Luhansk. The rally in Lviv in support of the integration of Ukraine into the EU was initiated by the students of local universities. This rally saw 25–30 thousand protesters gather on {{ill|Liberty Avenue (Lviv)|lt=Liberty Avenue|uk|Проспект Свободи (Львів)}} in Lviv. The organisers planned to continue this rally until the 3rd Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 28–29 November 2013.{{cite web|url=http://zik.ua/en/news/2013/11/24/rally_in_lviv_grows_to_25000_441889|title=Rally in Lviv grows to 25,000|publisher=Zik.ua|date=24 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202153451/https://zik.ua/en/news/2013/11/24/rally_in_lviv_grows_to_25000_441889|url-status=dead}} A rally in Simferopol, which drew around 300, saw nationalists and Crimean Tatars unite to support European integration; the protesters sang both the Ukrainian national anthem and the anthem of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen.{{cite news|script-title=ru:В Крыму на Евромайдане спели гимн УПА|url=http://vesti.ua/krym/26256-v-krymu-na-evromajdane-speli-gimn-upa-i-potrebovali-otstavki-azarova|newspaper=VESTI|date=24 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920005944/https://vesti.ua/krym/26256-v-krymu-na-evromajdane-speli-gimn-upa-i-potrebovali-otstavki-azarova|url-status=live}}

Seven people were injured after a tent encampment in Dnipropetrovsk was ordered cleared by court order on 25 November and it appeared that thugs had undertaken to perform the clearance.{{cite web|url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?cherez_pogromi_u_nametovomu_mistechku_dnipropetrovska_travmovani_7_lyudey&objectId=386489|script-title=uk:Через погроми у наметовому містечку Дніпропетровська травмовані 7 людей – Відео|language=uk|publisher=24tv.ua|date=11 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125161752/http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?cherez_pogromi_u_nametovomu_mistechku_dnipropetrovska_travmovani_7_lyudey&objectId=386489|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?yevromaydan_u_dnipropetrovsku_40_titushok_napali_na_nametove_mistechko_video&objectId=386434|script-title=uk:Євромайдан. У Дніпропетровську 40 "тітушок" напали на наметове містечко|language=uk|publisher=24tv.ua|date=11 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125162025/http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?yevromaydan_u_dnipropetrovsku_40_titushok_napali_na_nametove_mistechko_video&objectId=386434|url-status=live}} Officials estimated the number of attackers to be 10–15,{{cite web|url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?proti_titushkiv_yaki_rozgromili_dnipropetrovskiy_yevromaydan_vidkrito_kriminalne_provadzhennya&objectId=386557|script-title=uk:Проти "тітушків", які розгромили дніпропетровський Євромайдан, відкрито кримінальне провадження|language=uk|publisher=24tv.ua|date=11 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125153801/http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?proti_titushkiv_yaki_rozgromili_dnipropetrovskiy_yevromaydan_vidkrito_kriminalne_provadzhennya&objectId=386557|url-status=live}} and police did not intervene in the attacks.{{cite web|url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?yevromaydan_u_dnipropetrovsku_rozgromili_za_rishennyam_sudu_prote_militsiya_ne_vtruchalasya&objectId=386476|script-title=uk:Євромайдан у Дніпропетровську розгромили за рішенням суду, проте міліція не втручалася|language=uk|publisher=24tv.ua|date=11 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125163823/http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?yevromaydan_u_dnipropetrovsku_rozgromili_za_rishennyam_sudu_prote_militsiya_ne_vtruchalasya&objectId=386476|url-status=live}} Similarly, police in Odesa ignored calls to stop the demolition of Euromaidan camps in the city by a group of 30, and instead removed all parties from the premises.{{cite web|url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/miliciya-znesla-yevromaydan-v-odesi-321818.html|title=Євромайдан в Одесі – Міліція знесла Євромайдан в Одесі – Новини України на 1+1 – ТСН.ua|trans-title=Euromaidan in Odesa - Police demolished Euromaidan in Odesa - News of Ukraine on 1 + 1 - TSN.ua|publisher=Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn|date=25 November 2013|access-date=4 December 2013|language=uk|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130124048/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/miliciya-znesla-yevromaydan-v-odesi-321818.html|url-status=live}} 50 police officers and men in plain clothes also drove out a Euromaidan protest in Chernihiv the same day.{{cite web|url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/u-chernigovi-znesli-yevromaydan-a-obureniy-protestuvalnik-namagavsya-sebe-pidpaliti-zmi-321918.html|title=У Чернігові знесли Євромайдан, а обурений протестувальник намагався себе підпалити – ЗМІ – Новини України на 1+1 – ТСН.ua|trans-title=Euromaidan demolished in Chernihiv, and outraged protester tried to set himself on fire - mass media - News of Ukraine on 1 + 1 - TSN.ua|publisher=TSN|date=25 November 2013|access-date=4 December 2013|language=uk|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202073425/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/u-chernigovi-znesli-yevromaydan-a-obureniy-protestuvalnik-namagavsya-sebe-pidpaliti-zmi-321918.html|url-status=live}}

On 25 November, in Odesa, 120 police raided and destroyed a tent encampment made by protesters at 5:20 in the morning. The police detained three of the protesters, including the leader of the Odesa branch of Democratic Alliance, Alexei Chorny. All three were beaten in the police vehicle and then taken to the Portofrankovsk Police Station without their arrival being recorded. The move came after the District Administrative Court earlier issued a ban restricting citizens' right to peaceful assembly until New Year. The court ruling places a blanket ban on all demonstrations, the use of tents, sound equipment and vehicles until the end of the year.{{cite web|url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1385381658|title=Odessa EuroMaidan: Heavy-handed measures by police and their questionable back-up|publisher=khpg.org|date=25 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101191457/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1385381658|url-status=live}}

On 26 November, a rally of 50 was held in Donetsk.{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_evropa-grozit-ukraine-razvratom-russkij-blok-provel-v-donecke-antimajdan/528245|script-title=ru:Европа грозит Украине развратом – "Русский блок" провел в Донецке "антимайдан"|trans-title=Europe threatens Ukraine with debauchery - "Russian Block" held "anti-Maidan" in Donetsk|newspaper=Gazeta|date=26 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813143151/https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_evropa-grozit-ukraine-razvratom-russkij-blok-provel-v-donecke-antimajdan/528245|url-status=live}}

On 28 November, a rally was held in Yalta; university faculty who attended were pressured to resign by university officials.{{cite web|url=http://an.crimea.ua/page/news/52626/ |script-title=ru:В Ялте начали преследовать участников Евромайдана – Новости Крыма |trans-title=In Yalta began to persecute the participants of the Euromaidan – News of the Crimea |publisher=An.crimea.ua|date=25 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203071015/http://an.crimea.ua/page/news/52626/|archive-date=3 December 2013}}

On 29 November, Lviv protesters numbered some 20,000.[http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/20081107/ukraine-opposition-demands-leader-resign-after-eu-snub/ Ukraine opposition demands leader resign after EU snub], Seven News (30 November 2013) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204011730/http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/20081107/ukraine-opposition-demands-leader-resign-after-eu-snub/ |date=4 December 2013 }} Like in Kyiv, they locked hands in a human chain, symbolically linking Ukraine to the European Union (organisers claimed that some 100 people even crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border to extend the chain to the European Union).{{cite web|url=http://regionalna.tvp.pl/13153124/zywy-lancuch-poparcia-dla-protestujacych-na-ukrainie|title=Żywy łańcuch poparcia dla protestujących na Ukrainie – TVP Regionalna – Telewizja Polska S.A. |trans-title=A living chain of support for protesters in Ukraine - TVP Regionalna - Telewizja Polska S.A. |publisher=Regionalna.tvp.pl|date=29 November 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=pl|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125150749/http://regionalna.tvp.pl/13153124/zywy-lancuch-poparcia-dla-protestujacych-na-ukrainie|url-status=dead}}

File:Euromaidan in Lviv (24.11.2013) 11.JPG monument in Lviv]]

File:Euromaidan in Luhansk.jpg]]

On 1 December, the largest rally outside of Kyiv took place in Lviv by the statue of Taras Shevchenko, where over 50,000 protesters attended. Mayor Andriy Sadovy, council chairman Peter Kolody, and prominent public figures and politicians were in attendance.{{cite news|script-title=uk:Євромайдан Львів встановив кількісний рекорд |trans-title=Euromaidan Lviv set a quantitative record |url=http://lvivexpres.com/news/2013/12/01/55102-yevromaydan-lviv-vstanovyv-kilkisnyy-rekord|newspaper=Lviv Expres|date=1 December 2013|access-date=1 December 2013|language=uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011742/http://lvivexpres.com/news/2013/12/01/55102-yevromaydan-lviv-vstanovyv-kilkisnyy-rekord|archive-date=3 December 2013}} An estimated 300 rallied in the eastern city of Donetsk demanding that President Viktor Yanukovych and the government of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resign.{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|title=A rally of 300 in Donetsk demands Yanukovych's resignation|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/a-rally-of-300-in-donetsk-demands-yanukovychs-resignation-332735.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=1 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126063428/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/a-rally-of-300-in-donetsk-demands-yanukovychs-resignation-332735.html|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, thousands rallied with writer Serhiy Zhadan during a speech, calling for revolution. The protest was peaceful.{{cite news|script-title=ru:Жадан прошел по харьковскому Евромайдану "путь в Европу" |trans-title=Zhadan walked along the Kharkiv Euromaidan "the way to Europe" |url=http://kharkov.comments.ua/news/2013/11/30/195135.html|newspaper=Kharkiv Commentary|date=1 December 2013|access-date=2 December 2013|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206225957/http://kharkov.comments.ua/news/2013/11/30/195135.html|archive-date=6 February 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |script-title=uk:Сергій Жадан закликав студентів на революцію #Євромайдан #Харків |trans-title=Serhiy Zhadan called on students for the #Euromaidan #Kharkiv revolution |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAwTwWTov4Y |publisher=Monitoring Maidan |access-date=1 December 2013 |language=uk |date=December 2013 |archive-date=25 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125112318/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAwTwWTov4Y |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=# Yevromaydan Kharkiv |trans-title=# Euromaidan Kharkiv |date=1 December 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAwTwWTov4Ye| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125213438/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAwTwWTov4Ye| archive-date=2014-01-25 | url-status=dead|publisher=Maidan Monitor|access-date=2 December 2013}} Protesters claimed at least 4,000 attended,{{cite news|title=Харьковский Евромайдан заночует на площади Свободы|trans-title=Kharkiv Euromaidan will spend the night on Svobody Square|publisher=Vesti|url=http://vesti.ua/harkov/27340-harkovskij-evromajdan-dvinulsja-na-plowad-svobody|date=1 December 2013|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919193147/https://vesti.ua/harkov/27340-harkovskij-evromajdan-dvinulsja-na-plowad-svobody|url-status=dead}} with other sources saying 2,000.{{cite news|script-title=ru:На Евромайдан в Харькове вышли тысячи человек|trans-title=Thousands of people took to the Euromaidan in Kharkiv|url=http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/kharkiv/na-evromaydan-v-harkove-vyshli-tysyachi-chelovek--478971.html|newspaper=Segodnya|date=1 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618225340/https://www.segodnya.ua/regions/kharkov/na-evromaydan-v-harkove-vyshli-tysyachi-chelovek--478971.html|url-status=live}} In Dnipropetrovsk, 1,000 gathered to protest the EU agreement suspension, show solidarity with those in Kyiv, and demanded the resignation of local and metropolitan officials. They later marched, shouting "Ukraine is Europe" and "Revolution".{{cite news|script-title=ru:В Днепропетровске около 1000 человек требовали отставки виновных в разгоне Евромайдана|trans-title=In Dnipropetrovsk, about 1,000 people demanded the resignation of those responsible for dispersing the Euromaidan|url=http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/dnepr/v-dnepropetrovske-okolo-1000-chelovek-trebovali-otstavki-vinovnyh-v-razgone-evromaydana--478958.html|newspaper=Segodnya|date=1 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919204040/https://www.segodnya.ua/regions/dnepr/v-dnepropetrovske-okolo-1000-chelovek-trebovali-otstavki-vinovnyh-v-razgone-evromaydana--478958.html|url-status=live}} EuroMaidan protests were also held in Simferopol (where 150–200 attended){{cite web|url=http://an.crimea.ua/page/news/52653/|script-title=ru:Крымский Евромайдан извинился за жестокость "Беркута" в Киеве – Новости Крыма |trans-title=Crimean Euromaidan apologized for the brutality of "Berkut" in Kyiv – News of the Crimea |publisher=An.crimea.ua|date=1 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203090509/http://an.crimea.ua/page/news/52653/|archive-date=3 December 2013}} and Odesa.{{cite news|author=Vladimir Ivahnenko and Ярослав Шимов|newspaper=Радио Свобода|url=http://www.svoboda.org/content/article/25186433.html|script-title=ru:Хроника "Евромайдана"|trans-title=Chronicle of "Euromaidan"|publisher=Svoboda|date=2 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424091937/http://www.svoboda.org/content/article/25186433.html|url-status=live}}

On 2 December, in an act of solidarity, Lviv Oblast declared a general strike to mobilise support for protests in Kyiv,{{cite web|url=http://tsn.ua/politika/sogodni-u-bilshosti-oblrad-vidbudutsya-pozachergovi-sesiyi-cherez-situaciyu-v-ukrayini-323140.html|title=Сьогодні у більшості облрад відбудуться позачергові сесії через ситуацію в Україні – Політика – ТСН.ua|trans-title=Extraordinary sessions due to the situation in Ukraine will take place in most regional councils today - Politics - TSN.ua|publisher=TSN|date=2 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=uk|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130115852/https://tsn.ua/politika/sogodni-u-bilshosti-oblrad-vidbudutsya-pozachergovi-sesiyi-cherez-situaciyu-v-ukrayini-323140.html|url-status=live}} which was followed by the formal order of a general strike by the cities of Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk.{{cite news|script-title=uk:Три західні області оголосили страйк|trans-title=Three western oblasts went on strike|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/2/7004262/|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|date=2 December 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|language=uk|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128212606/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/2/7004262/|url-status=live}}

In Dnipropetrovsk on 3 December, a group of 300 protested in favour of European integration and demanded the resignation of local authorities, heads of local police units, and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).{{cite news|url=http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25188964.html|script-title=uk:У Дніпропетровську євромайданівці вимагають відставки місцевої влади|trans-title=In Dnipropetrovsk, Euromaidan activists demand the resignation of local authorities|publisher=Radiosvoboda.org|date=3 December 2013|access-date=4 December 2013|language=uk|newspaper=Радіо Свобода|last1=Свобода|first1=Радіо|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230032/http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25188964.html|url-status=live}}

On 7 December, it was reported that police were prohibiting those from Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk from driving to Kyiv.{{cite web|author=Новини|url=http://versii.if.ua/novunu/prikarpatska-militsiya-ne-puskaye-ivano-frankivskih-mitinguvalnikiv-do-kiyeva/|script-title=uk:Прикарпатська міліція не пускає Івано-Франківських мітингувальників до Києва|trans-title=Prykarpattia police do not allow Ivano-Frankivsk protesters to enter Kyiv|publisher=versii.if.ua|date=7 December 2013|access-date=15 December 2013|language=uk|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919203331/https://versii.if.ua/novunu/prikarpatska-militsiya-ne-puskaye-ivano-frankivskih-mitinguvalnikiv-do-kiyeva/|url-status=live}}

Protests on 8 December saw record turnout in many Ukrainian cities, including several in eastern Ukraine. in the evening, the fall of the monument to Lenin in Kyiv took place.{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/08/world/europe/ukraine-protests/ |title=Lenin statue toppled in Ukraine protest |work=CNN |date=8 December 2013 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223051814/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/08/world/europe/ukraine-protests/ |url-status=live }}

On 9 December, a statue of Vladimir Lenin was destroyed in the town of Kotovsk in Odesa Oblast.{{cite web|url=http://odessa.comments.ua/news/2013/12/09/114051.html|script-title=ru:Одесского Ленина сокрушили вслед за киевским|trans-title=Odesa's Lenin was crushed after Kyiv's|publisher=comments.ua|date=9 December 2013|access-date=15 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=13 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213153053/http://odessa.comments.ua/news/2013/12/09/114051.html|url-status=live}} In Ternopil, Euromaidan organisers were prosecuted by authorities.{{cite web|url=http://zn.ua/UKRAINE/v-ternopole-organizatory-evromaydana-podverglis-ugolovnomu-presledovaniyu-134650_.html|script-title=ru:В Тернополе организаторы Евромайдана подверглись уголовному преследованию – Украина|trans-title=In Ternopil, the organizers of the Euromaidan were prosecuted - Ukraine|publisher=zn.ua|date=9 December 2013|access-date=15 December 2013|language=ru|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920041253/https://zn.ua/UKRAINE/v-ternopole-organizatory-evromaydana-podverglis-ugolovnomu-presledovaniyu-134650_.html|url-status=live}}

The removal or destruction of Lenin monuments and statues gained particular momentum after the destruction of the Kyiv Lenin statue. The statue removal process was soon termed “Leninopad” (Ukrainian: Ленінопад, Russian: Ленинопад), literally meaning 'Leninfall' in English. Soon, activists pulled down a dozen monuments in the Kyiv region, Zhytomyr, Chmelnitcki, and elsewhere, or damaged them during the course of the Euromaidan protests into spring of 2014.{{cite web |url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/leninopad-trivaye-vozhdya-skinuli-v-kanevi-mikolayevi-hersoni-336067.html |title=Ленінопад триває: вождя скинули в Каневі, Миколаєві, Херсоні – Новини України на 1+1 – ТСН.ua |trans-title=Leninopad continues: the leader was overthrown in Kaniv, Mykolaiv, Kherson - News of Ukraine on 1 + 1 - TSN.ua |publisher=Tsn.ua |date=22 February 2014 |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-date=9 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309082614/http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/leninopad-trivaye-vozhdya-skinuli-v-kanevi-mikolayevi-hersoni-336067.html |url-status=live }} In other cities and towns, monuments were removed by organised heavy equipment and transported to scrapyards or dumps.{{cite news |author=Софія Середа |url=http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25225395.html |title=В Україні – Ленінопад: пам'ятники вождю падають один за одним |newspaper=Радіо Свобода |trans-title=In Ukraine - Leninopad: monuments to the leader fall one after another |publisher=Radiosvoboda.org |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222021239/http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25225395.html |url-status=live }}

On 14 December, Euromaidan supporters in Kharkiv voiced their disapproval of authorities fencing off Freedom Square from the public by covering the metal fence in placards.{{cite web|url=http://kharkov.comments.ua/news/2013/12/14/160422.html|script-title=ru:Харьковчане недовольны забором на площади Свободы (ФОТО) |trans-title=Kharkiv residents dissatisfied with fence on Freedom Square (PHOTOS) |publisher=comments.ua|date=14 December 2013|access-date=15 December 2013|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125130733/http://kharkov.comments.ua/news/2013/12/14/160422.html|archive-date=25 January 2014|url-status=dead}} From 5 December, they became victims of theft and arson.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/24/7008154/|title=In Kharkiv, the second burned car Euromaidan (У Харкові спалили другу машину Євромайдану)|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=24 December 2013|access-date=24 December 2013|language=uk|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128212210/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/24/7008154/|url-status=live}} A Euromaidan activist in Kharkiv was attacked by two men and stabbed twelve times. The assailants were unknown, but activists told the Kharkiv-based civic organisation Maidan that they believe the city's mayor, Gennady Kernes, to be behind the attack.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-euromaidan-organizer-attacked-stabbed-video-334218.html|author=Christopher J. Miller|title=Unknown assailants beat and stab Kharkiv EuroMaidan organizer|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=25 December 2013|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-date=5 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205181512/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-euromaidan-organizer-attacked-stabbed-video-334218.html|url-status=live}}

On 22 December, 2,000 rallied in Dnipropetrovsk.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/news/613773-v-dnepropetrovske-okolo-dvuh-tyisyach-chelovek-podderjali-veche-v-kieve.html|script-title=ru:В Днепропетровске около двух тысяч человек поддержали вече в Киеве|trans-title=In Dnipropetrovsk, about two thousand people supported the council in Kyiv|agency=UNIAN|date=22 December 2013|access-date=23 January 2014|language=ru|archive-date=25 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225010113/http://www.unian.net/news/613773-v-dnepropetrovske-okolo-dvuh-tyisyach-chelovek-podderjali-veche-v-kieve.html|url-status=live}}

File:ЄвроМайдан - Euromaydan - Гімн України. Новий Рік 2014.webm

In late December, 500 marched in Donetsk. Due to the regime's hegemony in the city, foreign commentators have suggested that, "For 500 marchers to assemble in Donetsk is the equivalent of 50,000 in Lviv or 500,000 in Kyiv."{{cite news|url=http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/alexander-j-motyl/free-donetsk|title=A Free Donetsk?|publisher=World Affairs|date=10 January 2014|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321063254/http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/alexander-j-motyl/free-donetsk|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=usurped}}{{better source needed|date=July 2021}} On 5 January, marches in support of Euromaidan were held in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kharkiv, the latter three drawing several hundred and Donetsk only 100.{{cite news |url=http://news.liga.net/news/politics/955054-v_donetske_dnepropetrovske_kharkove_odesse_vyshli_na_evromaydan.htm |script-title=ru:В Донецке, Днепропетровске, Харькове, Одессе вышли на Евромайдан |trans-title=In Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Odesa went to Euromaidan |date=5 January 2014 |access-date=23 January 2014 |language=ru |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019093803/http://news.liga.net/news/politics/955054-v_donetske_dnepropetrovske_kharkove_odesse_vyshli_na_evromaydan.htm |url-status=live }}

On 11 January 2014, 150 activists met in Kharkiv for a general forum on uniting the nationwide Euromaidan efforts. A church where some were meeting was stormed by over a dozen thugs, and others attacked meetings in a book store, smashing windows and deploying tear gas to stop the Maidan meetings from taking place.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/smashed-windows-tear-gas-accompany-euromaidan-forum-in-kharkiv-334870.html|author=Oksana Grytsenko|title=Smashed windows, tear gas accompany EuroMaidan forum in Kharkiv|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=11 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910233709/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/smashed-windows-tear-gas-accompany-euromaidan-forum-in-kharkiv-334870.html|url-status=live}}

File:Radically oriented protesters throwing Molotov cocktails in direction of Interior troops positions. Dynamivska str. Euromaidan Protests. Events of Jan 19, 2014-5.jpg

On 22 January in Donetsk, two simultaneous rallies were held – one pro-Euromaidan and one pro-government. The pro-government rally attracted 600 attendees, compared to about 100 from the Euromaidan side. Police reports claimed 5,000 attended to support the government, compared to only 60 from Euromaidan. In addition, approximately 150 titushky appeared and encircled the Euromaidan protesters with megaphones and began a conflict, burning wreaths and Svoboda Party flags, shouting, "Down with fascists!", but were separated by police.{{cite news|url=http://www.theinsider.com.ua/politics/52dfbb4e49bba/|script-title=uk:"Тітушки" вогнем розігнали Донецький Євромайдан |trans-title="Aunts" dispersed Donetsk Euromaidan by fire |agency=The Insider|date=22 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|language=uk|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124232725/http://www.theinsider.com.ua/politics/52dfbb4e49bba/|archive-date=24 January 2014}} Meanwhile, Donetsk City Council pleaded with the government to take tougher measures against Euromaidan protesters in Kyiv.{{cite news|url=http://www.theinsider.com.ua/politics/52dfd23a4650b/|title=Донецька міськрада просить Януковича вжити жорсткі заходи |trans-title=Donetsk City Council asks Yanukovych to take tough measures |agency=The Insider|date=22 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125135925/http://www.theinsider.com.ua/politics/52dfd23a4650b/|archive-date=25 January 2014}} Reports indicated a media blackout took place in Donetsk.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In Lviv, on 22 January, amid the police shootings of protesters in the capital, military barracks were surrounded by protesters. Many of the protesters included mothers whose sons were serving in the military, who pleaded with them not to deploy to Kyiv.{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/22/mothers-block-their-soldier-sons-from-serving-in-kyiv/#.UuBB9HgMj1U.twitter|title=Mothers block their soldier sons from serving in Kyiv|publisher=Euronews|date=22 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111163411/https://www.euronews.com/2014/01/22/mothers-block-their-soldier-sons-from-serving-in-kyiv#.UuBB9HgMj1U.twitter|url-status=dead}}

In Vinnytsia, on 22 January, thousands of protesters blocked the main street of the city and the traffic. Also, they brought "democracy in coffin" to the city hall, as a present to Yanukovych.{{cite news|url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?u_vinnitsi_aktivisti_perekrili_tsentralnu_vulitsyu_mista_ta_zablokuvali_oda&objectId=401391|script-title=uk:У Вінниці активісти перекрили центральну вулицю міста та заблокували ОДА|trans-title=In Vinnytsia, activists blocked the city's main street and blocked the regional state administration|publisher=24Tv.ua|date=23 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|language=uk|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201170111/http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?u_vinnitsi_aktivisti_perekrili_tsentralnu_vulitsyu_mista_ta_zablokuvali_oda&objectId=401391|url-status=live}}

On 23 January, Odesa City Council member and Euromaidan activist Oleksandr Ostapenko's car was bombed.{{Cite web |last=Украина |first=Комментарии |title=взрыв — последние новости {{!}} Комментарии Украина |trans-title=The car of the Odesa oppositionist was blown up |url=https://comments.ua/tag/vzryv |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=comments.ua |language=ru |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233434/https://comments.ua/tag/vzryv |url-status=live }} The Mayor of Sumy threw his support behind the Euromaidan movement on 24 January, laying blame for the civil disorder in Kyiv on the Party of Regions and Communists.{{cite news|url=http://lb.ua/news/2014/01/24/253044_mer_sum_fraktsiya_gorsovete.html|script-title=ru:Мэр Сум и его фракция в горсовете заявили о поддержке протестов|trans-title=The mayor of Sumy and his faction in the city council expressed support for the protests|newspaper=LB|date=24 January 2014|access-date=25 January 2014|language=ru|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920004710/https://lb.ua/news/2014/01/24/253044_mer_sum_fraktsiya_gorsovete.html|url-status=live}}

The Crimean parliament repeatedly stated that because of the events in Kyiv it was ready to join autonomous Crimea to Russia. On 27 February, armed men seized the Crimean parliament and raised the Russian flag.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/ukraine-crimea-russia-secession |title=Ukraine's Crimeans eye alliance with Russia |language=ru |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |last1=Kyiv |first1=Harriet Salem Shaun Walker in |last2=Harding |first2=Luke |archive-date=13 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213004910/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/ukraine-crimea-russia-secession |url-status=live }} 27 February was later declared a day of celebration for the Russian Spetsnaz special forces by Vladimir Putin by presidential decree.{{cite web|last1=Zmeyev|first1=Maxim|title=PUTIN CONGRATULATES RUSSIAN SPECIAL FORCES ON CRIMEA ANNIVERSARY|url=http://www.newsweek.com/putin-congratulates-russian-special-forces-crimea-anniversary-561760|website=Newsweek|access-date=20 November 2017|date=27 February 2017|archive-date=23 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123012302/http://www.newsweek.com/putin-congratulates-russian-special-forces-crimea-anniversary-561760|url-status=live}}

In the beginning of March, thousands of Crimean Tatars in support of Euromaidan clashed with a smaller group of pro-Russian protesters in Simferopol.{{Cite news |last1=Putilov |first1=Ivan |last2=Sindelar |first2=Daisy |date=2015-03-18 |title=One Year After Annexation, Remembering The Crimea That Fought Back |language=en |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/crimea-russia-annexation-fighting-back-tatars/26905890.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233615/https://www.rferl.org/a/crimea-russia-annexation-fighting-back-tatars/26905890.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2014-02-26 |title=Tensions high in Ukraine's Crimea as rival crowds gather |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-crimea-parliament-idUKBREA1P0PI20140226 |access-date=2023-11-15 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115084052/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-crimea-parliament-idUKBREA1P0PI20140226 |url-status=live }}

On 4 March 2014, a mass pro-Euromaidan rally was held in Donetsk for the first time. About 2,000 people were there. Donetsk is a major city in the far east of Ukraine and served as Yanukovych's stronghold and the base of his supporters. On 5 March 2014, 7,000–10,000 people rallied in support of Euromaidan in the same place.{{cite web |url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/219497/ |title=Новости Донбасса :: Митинг за мир и единство Украины в центре Донецка – все видео и фото до драки (обновлено) |trans-title=Donbas News :: Rally for peace and unity of Ukraine in the center of Donetsk – all videos and photos before the fight (updated) |publisher=Novosti.dn.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233612/https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/202573-mytyng-za-myr-y-edynstvo-ukrayny-v-centre-donecka-vse-vydeo-y-foto-do-draky |url-status=live }} After a leader declared the rally over, a fight broke out between pro-Euromaidan and 2,000 pro-Russian protesters.{{cite web |url=http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/03/05/195804.html |title=На площади Ленина пророссийские активисты напали на участников антивоенного митинга – Донецк.comments.ua |trans-title=On Lenin Square, pro-Russian activists attacked participants in an anti-war rally – Donetsk.comments.ua |publisher=Donetsk.comments.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308045217/http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/03/05/195804.html |archive-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}

{{main|2014 Euromaidan regional state administration occupations}}

Starting on 23 January, several Western Ukrainian oblast (province) government buildings and Regional State Administrations (RSAs) were occupied by Euromaidan activists. Several RSAs of the occupied oblasts then decided to ban the activities and symbols of the Communist Party of Ukraine and Party of Regions in their oblast.[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/01/thousands-mourn-ukraine-protester-amid-unrest-2014126185654320641.html Thousands mourn Ukraine protester amid unrest ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128044322/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/01/thousands-mourn-ukraine-protester-amid-unrest-2014126185654320641.html |date=28 January 2014 }}, Al Jazeera (26 January 2014) In the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa, protesters also tried to take over their local RSAs.{{Cite news |date=2014-01-26 |title=Ukraine protests 'spread' into Russia-influenced east |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25905031 |access-date=2023-03-10 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233435/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25905031 |url-status=live }}

File:Ukraine Demo München (12269462196).jpg]]

{{see also|International reactions to the Euromaidan#Solidarity demonstrations and protests}}

Smaller protests or Euromaidans have been held internationally, primarily among the larger Ukrainian diaspora populations in North America and Europe. The largest took place on 8 December 2013 in New York, with over 1,000 attending. Notably, in December 2013, Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science,{{cite web|url=http://tvnwarszawa.tvn24.pl/informacje,news,palac-kultury-w-kolorach-flagi-ukrainy,107683.html|title=Pałac Kultury w kolorach flagi Ukrainy|date=4 December 2013|trans-title=Palace of Culture in the colors of the Ukrainian flag|publisher=Tvnwarszawa.tvn24.pl|access-date=8 December 2013|language=pl|archive-date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206100242/http://tvnwarszawa.tvn24.pl/informacje,news,palac-kultury-w-kolorach-flagi-ukrainy,107683.html|url-status=live}} Cira Centre in Philadelphia,{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrfcu.com/News/Articles/3077|title=Blue and Yellow for Ukraine – Cira Centre lights up|publisher=Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union|access-date=14 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215034027/https://www.ukrfcu.com/News/Articles/3077|archive-date=15 December 2013}} the Tbilisi City Assembly in Georgia,{{cite news|title=Parliament Adopts Statement on Ukraine|url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=26777|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330174500/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=26777|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 March 2014|access-date=2 January 2014|newspaper=Civil Georgia|date=11 December 2013}} and Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border were illuminated in blue and yellow as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine.{{cite news |date=30 December 2013 |title=Niagara Falls was blue and yellow |publisher=iReport |url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1071422 |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101194820/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1071422 |archive-date=1 January 2014}}

{{main|Anti-Maidan}}

Pro-government rallies during Euromaidan were largely credited as funded by the government.{{Cite web |title=Maidan 2.0: A Protest With Reservations |url=https://www.interpretermag.com/maidan-2-0-a-protest-with-reservations/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=www.interpretermag.com |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813150215/https://www.interpretermag.com/maidan-2-0-a-protest-with-reservations/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Kyiv |title=EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine – Dec.9 |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/7680 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=KyivPost |date=10 December 2013 |language=en |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233436/https://www.kyivpost.com/post/7680 |url-status=live }} Several news outlets investigated the claims to confirm that by and large, attendees at pro-government rallies did so for financial compensation and not for political reasons, and were not an organic response to the Euromaidan. "People stand at Euromaidan protesting against the violation of human rights in the state, and they are ready to make sacrifices," said Oleksiy Haran, a political scientist at Kyiv Mohyla Academy in Kyiv. "People at Antimaidan stand for money only. The government uses these hirelings to provoke resistance. They won't be sacrificing anything."{{cite news|last=Rudenko|first=Olga|title=Protesters: Ukraine paying for pro-government rallies|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/16/ukraine-government-protests/5435315/|newspaper=USA Today|date=16 February 2014|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813143223/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/16/ukraine-government-protests/5435315/|url-status=live}}

{{main|Automaidan}}

AutomaidanWinter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (Motion picture). 9 October 2015.

was a movement within Euromaidan that sought the resignation of Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. It was made up mainly of drivers who would protect the protest camps and blockade streets. It organised a car procession on 29 December 2013 to the president's residence in Mezhyhirya to voice their protests at his refusal to sign the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement in December 2013. The motorcade was stopped a couple of hundred metres short of his residence. Automaidan was the repeated target of violent attacks by government forces and supporters.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

File:Radically oriented masked protesters armed with shovels, Dynamivska str., Euromaidan protests, events of Jan 19, 2014.jpg of the Maidan]]

On 30 November 2013, the day after the dispersion of the first major protests, Euromaidan activists, with the support of pro-Maidan political parties such as Svoboda, and aided by the Ukrainian politician and businessman Arsen Avakov,{{Cite web |title=Out in force: Ukraine's Self-Defense – DW – 03/20/2014 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/out-in-force-ukraines-self-defense/g-17509933 |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en |archive-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229184107/https://www.dw.com/en/out-in-force-ukraines-self-defense/g-17509933 |url-status=live }} created a self-defence group entitled “Self-Defence of the Maidan" or “Maidan Self-Defence” – an independent police force that aimed to protect protesters from riot police and provide security within Kyiv.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.thenation.com/article/178662/far-right-groups-infiltrate-kievs-institutions-student-movement-pushes-back |title="As Far-Right Groups Infiltrate Kiev's Institutions, the Student Movement Pushes Back" 4 Mar 2014 |magazine=The Nation |date=4 March 2014 |access-date=16 March 2014 |last1=Luhn |first1=Alec |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233618/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/far-right-groups-infiltrate-kievs-institutions-student-movement-pushes-back/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://blogs.pravda.com.ua/authors/parubiy/52c9757a27abd/ |script-title=uk:Закриваючи собою Майдан |trans-title=Closing the Maidan |publisher=Blogs.pravda.com.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |language=uk |archive-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308220047/http://blogs.pravda.com.ua/authors/parubiy/52c9757a27abd/ |url-status=live }} At the time, the head of the group was designated as Andriy Parubiy.{{cite web |url=http://espreso.tv/new/2014/02/13/parubiy_rozpoviv_pro_istoriyu_stvorennya_ta_strukturu_samooborony_maydanu |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140308194413/http://espreso.tv/new/2014/02/13/parubiy_rozpoviv_pro_istoriyu_stvorennya_ta_strukturu_samooborony_maydanu |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2014 |script-title=uk:Парубій розповів про історію створення та структуру самооборони Майдану |trans-title=Parubiy told about the history of creation and structure of Maidan self-defense |publisher=Espreso.tv |date=13 February 2014 |access-date=16 March 2014 |language=uk}}

“Self-Defence of the Maidan” adhered to a charter that “promoted the European choice and unity of Ukraine”, and were not officially allowed to mask themselves or carry weapons, although most men in the group did not adhere to such rules and groups of volunteers were mainly fractured under a centralised leadership. The group ran its headquarters from a former women’s shoe store in central Kyiv, organising patrols, recruiting new members, and taking queries from the public. The makeshift headquarters was run by volunteers from across Ukraine. After the ousting of President Yanukovych, the group took on a much larger role, serving as the de facto police force in Kyiv in early 2014, as most police officers abandoned their posts for fears of reprisal. Aiming to prevent looting or arson from tainting the success of Euromaidan, government buildings were among the first buildings to be protected by the group, with institutions such as the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine) and the National Bank of Ukraine under 24-hour supervision during this time.

“Self-defence” groups such as “Self-Defence of the Maidan” were divided up into sotnias (plural: sotni) or 'hundreds', which were described as a "force that is providing the tip of the spear in the violent showdown with government security forces". The sotni take their name from a traditional form of Cossacks cavalry formation, and were also used in the Ukrainian People's Army, Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and Ukrainian National Army.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/protesters-join-fight-in-kiev-100-at-a-time.html?smid=fb-share |title=Converts Join With Militants in Kiev Clash |author1=ANDREW HIGGINS |author2=ANDREW E. KRAMER |newspaper=The New York Times |date=20 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618234052/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/protesters-join-fight-in-kiev-100-at-a-time.html?smid=fb-share |url-status=live }}

Along with “Self-Defence of the Maidan”, there were also some "independent" divisions of enforcers (some of them were also referred to as sotnias and even as “Self-Defence” groups), like the security of the Trade Unions Building until 2 January 2014,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA3l0MCZVtg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/XA3l0MCZVtg| archive-date=2021-11-08 | url-status=live|title=Андрій Парубій на Hromadske.TV |trans-title=Andrew Parubiy on Hromadske.TV |publisher=Hromadske.TV |via=YouTube |date=3 January 2014 |access-date=16 March 2014|language=uk}}{{cbignore}} Narnia and Vikings from Kyiv City State Administration,{{cite web |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/02/17/7014136/ |script-title=uk:"Вікинги" і "Нарнія" штурмували КМДА, бо не мали куди йти |trans-title="Vikings" and "Narnia" stormed the Kyiv City State Administration because they had nowhere to go |publisher=Pravda.com.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |language=uk |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618234004/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/02/17/7014136/ |url-status=live }} Volodymr Parasyuk's sotnia from Conservatory building,{{cite web |url=http://nru.org.ua/news/mediafaily/videohalereia/498-vystup-sotnyka-volodymyra-parasiuka-22-liutoho-na-maidani |script-title=uk:Виступ сотника Володимира Парасюка 21 лютого на Майдані |trans-title=Speech by Captain Volodymyr Parasyuk on February 21 on the Maidan |publisher=Nru.org.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |language=uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316165730/http://nru.org.ua/news/mediafaily/videohalereia/498-vystup-sotnyka-volodymyra-parasiuka-22-liutoho-na-maidani |archive-date=16 March 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://grani.ru/people/2144/ |script-title=ru:Грани.Ру/Персоны/Владимир Парасюк |trans-title=Grani.Ru / Persons / Vladimir Parasyuk |publisher=Grani.ru |date=28 February 2014 |access-date=16 March 2014 |language=ru |archive-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316001755/http://grani.ru/people/2144/ |url-status=live }} although Andriy Parubiy officially asked such divisions to not term themselves as “Self-Defence” groups.{{cite web |url=http://www.samooboronaua.org/news.php/news/13/group/16 |title=Парубій підписав наказ "Про основні засади організації «Самооборони Майдану" – Новини – Самооборона Майдану |trans-title=Parubiy signs order on Maidan Self-Defense Principles - News - Maidan Self-Defense |publisher=Samooboronaua.org |access-date=3 August 2014 |archive-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316165910/http://www.samooboronaua.org/news.php/news/13/group/16 |url-status=live }}

Pravy Sektor coordinates its actions with Self-defence and is formally a 23rd sotnia,{{cite web |url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?struktura_protestu_yevromaydan_predstavlyayut_ponad_10_grup_riznih_organizatsiy&objectId=406486 |script-title=uk:Структура протесту: Євромайдан представляють понад 10 груп різних організацій |trans-title=Structure of the protest: Euromaidan is represented by more than 10 groups of different organizations |language=uk |publisher=24tv.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |date=7 February 2014 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618234059/https://24tv.ua/kyivnews/struktura_protestu_yevromaydan_predstavlyayut_ponad_10_grup_riznih_organizatsiy_n406486 |url-status=live }} although already had hundreds of members at the time of registering as a sotnia. Second sotnia (staffed by Svoboda's members) tends to dissociate itself from "sotnias of self-defence of Maidan".{{cite web |url=http://society.lb.ua/position/2014/02/08/254736_karas.html |title=Євген Карась: "Оголошення в розшук – помста за те, що ми зловили міліцейську спецгрупу, елітний "ескадрон смерті" – Хто не чув легенди – LB.ua |date=8 February 2014 |trans-title=Eugene Karas: "Announcement wanted - revenge for the fact that we caught a police task force, an elite" death squad "- Who has not heard the legend - LB.ua |publisher=Society.lb.ua |access-date=16 March 2014 |language=uk |archive-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221234058/http://society.lb.ua/position/2014/02/08/254736_karas.html |url-status=live }}

Some Russian citizens sympathetic to the opposition joined the protest movement as part of the Misanthropic Division, many of them later becoming Ukrainian citizens.

{{main|Maidan casualties}}

File:Ukrainian Red Cross Society volunteers administering first aid to a wounded Euromaidan protester. Events of Jan 19, 2014-5.jpg volunteers administering first aid to a wounded protester, 19 January 2014]]

Altogether, more than 100 people were killed and 2,500 injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-maidan-justice-victims-amnesty-fifth-anniversary/29779358.html|title=Amnesty International: Five Years After Euromaidan, Justice For The Victims 'Still Not Even In Sight'|date=19 February 2019|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|publisher=RFE/RL|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233940/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-maidan-justice-victims-amnesty-fifth-anniversary/29779358.html|url-status=live}} The death toll included 108 protesters and 13 police officers. Most of the deaths and injuries were during the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

In November 2015, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court released a legal analysis of the Maidan protests, concluding that: "violence against protesters, including the excessive use of force causing death and serious injury as well as other forms of ill-treatment, was actively promoted or encouraged by the Ukrainian authorities" under Yanukovych.

By June 2016, 55 people had been charged in relation to the deaths of Maidan protesters, including 29 former members of the Berkut special police, ten titushky and ten senior government officials.

{{see also|1 December 2013 Euromaidan riots|2014 Hrushevskoho Street riots}}

A number of attacks by law enforcement agents on members of the media and medical personnel have been reported. Some 40 journalists were injured during the staged assault at Bankova Street on 1 December 2013. At least 42 more journalists were victims of police attacks at Hrushevskoho Street on 22 January 2014.[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/01/22/7010845/ Only at Hrushevskoho suffered 42 journalists (Лише на Грушевського постраждали 42 журналісти)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123064416/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/01/22/7010845/ |date=23 January 2014 }}. Ukrayinska Pravda. 22 January 2014 On 22 January 2014, Television News Service (TSN) reported that journalists started to remove their identifying uniform (vests and helmets), as they were being targeted, sometimes on purpose, sometimes accidentally.[http://tsn.ua/kyiv/reporteri-v-centri-kiyeva-maskuyutsya-pid-prostih-demonstrantiv-zadlya-vlasnoyi-bezpeki-330788.html Journalists are disguising themselves as regular protesters for own safety] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919175524/https://tsn.ua/kyiv/reporteri-v-centri-kiyeva-maskuyutsya-pid-prostih-demonstrantiv-zadlya-vlasnoyi-bezpeki-330788.html |date=19 September 2020 }}. TSN. 22 January 2014 Since 21 November 2013, a total of 136 journalists have been injured.{{cite news|title=EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine (Feb. 4 live updates)|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-feb-4-live-updates-336225.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=4 February 2014|access-date=4 February 2014|archive-date=4 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204175005/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-feb-4-live-updates-336225.html|url-status=live}}

On 21 January 2014, 26 journalists were injured, with at least two badly injured by police stun grenades;{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/at-least-two-reporters-injured-by-stun-grenade-in-kyiv-335258.html|title=At least two reporters injured by stun grenade in Kyiv|newspaper=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=20 January 2014|access-date=22 January 2014|archive-date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120105511/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/at-least-two-reporters-injured-by-stun-grenade-in-kyiv-335258.html|url-status=live}} 2 others were arrested by police.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/watchdog-24-journalists-injured-in-protester-clashes-with-police-two-detained-335274.html|author=Mark Rachkevych|title=Watchdog: 26 journalists injured in police clashes, two detained|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=20 January 2014|access-date=22 January 2014|archive-date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120210934/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/watchdog-24-journalists-injured-in-protester-clashes-with-police-two-detained-335274.html|url-status=live}} On 22 January, a correspondent of Reuters, Vasiliy Fedosenko, was intentionally shot in the head by a marksman with rubber ammunition during clashes at Hrushevskoho Street.[http://belapan.com/archive/2014/01/22/676004/ Belarusian photocorrespondent in Kiev was shot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125121141/http://belapan.com/archive/2014/01/22/676004/ |date=25 January 2014 }}. Belapan. 22 January 2014[http://naviny.by/rubrics/disaster/2014/01/22/ic_news_124_431235/ Belarusian journalist suffered during the events in Kiev] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626132912/https://naviny.by/rubrics/disaster/2014/01/22/ic_news_124_431235 |date=26 June 2020 }}. naviny.by. 22 January 2014[http://www.belaruspartisan.org/politic/255030/ In Kiev sniper wounded a journalist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219081920/http://www.belaruspartisan.org/politic/255030/ |date=19 February 2014 }}. Belarusian partizan. 22 January 2014 Later, a journalist of Espresso TV Dmytro Dvoychenkov was kidnapped, beaten and taken to an unknown location, but later a parliamentarian was informed that he was finally released.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/police-assault-journalist-providing-live-video-for-espresso-tv-335379.html|author=Nataliya Trach|title=Police assault journalist providing live video for Espresso TV|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=22 January 2014|access-date=22 January 2014|archive-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121061203/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/police-assault-journalist-providing-live-video-for-espresso-tv-335379.html|url-status=live}} On 24 January, President Yanukovych ordered the release of all journalists from custody.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/187190.html Ukrainian president demands all detained reporters be released immediately] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919213907/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/187190.html |date=19 September 2020 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (24 January 2014) On 31 January, a video from 22 January 2014 was published that showed policemen in Berkut uniforms intentionally firing at a medic who raised his hands.[http://www.pravda.com.ua/photo-video/2014/01/31/7012297/ Berkut shoots at medic with raised hands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920013118/https://www.pravda.com.ua/photo-video/2014/01/31/7012297/ |date=20 September 2020 }}. Ukrayinska Pravda. 31 January 2014. (video no longer available) On 18 February 2014, American photojournalist Mark Estabrook was injured by Berkut forces, who threw two separate concussion grenades at him just inside the gate at the Hrushevskoho Street barricade, with shrapnel hitting him in the shoulder and lower leg. He continued bleeding all the way to Cologne, Germany for surgery. He was informed upon his arrival in Maidan to stay away from the hospitals in Kyiv to avoid Yanukovych's Berkut police capture (February 2014)[https://www.EuromaidanRevolution.com Photographic slideshow by Mark Estabrook of the EuroMaidan revolution in February 2014 in Kyiv] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618225340/https://www.euromaidanrevolution.com/ |date=18 June 2024 }} www.EuromaidanRevolution.com[https://www.mystatesman.com/news/local/wounded-austin-photographer-mark-estabrook-smuggled-out-kiev/ucRV0JeJywiGAFqfJOKcwK/ Austin photographer Mark Estabrook smuggled out of Kiev] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185522/https://www.mystatesman.com/news/local/wounded-austin-photographer-mark-estabrook-smuggled-out-kiev/ucRV0JeJywiGAFqfJOKcwK/ |date=13 April 2018 }} Austin American Statesman, www.mystatesman.com; 19 February 2014.[https://www.n-tv.de/mediathek/videos/politik/US-Fotograf-wird-zum-Dokumentator-der-Gewalt-article12370651.html German television network ntv interview with Mark Estabrook] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618233955/https://www.n-tv.de/mediathek/videos/politik/US-Fotograf-wird-zum-Dokumentator-der-Gewalt-article12370651.html |date=18 June 2024 }}, www.n-tv.de, 3 February 2014, Cologne, Germany.

File:Euromaidan 19 January 3.jpg

According to December 2013 polls (by three different pollsters), between 45% and 50% of Ukrainians supported Euromaidan, while between 42% and 50% opposed it.{{cite news|url=http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/11002.html|title=Poll reveals Ukrainian majority supports EuroMaidan|date=30 December 2013|access-date=22 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125085358/http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/11002.html|archive-date=25 January 2014|url-status=dead}} The biggest support for the protest was found in Kyiv (about 75%) and western Ukraine (more than 80%).[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7be62f26-70a2-11e3-9ba1-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2p4zYSJdQ Ukraine protesters take rally to Yanukovich's residence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618225342/https://www.ft.com/content/7be62f26-70a2-11e3-9ba1-00144feabdc0#axzz2p4zYSJdQ |date=18 June 2024 }}, Financial Times (29 December 2013) Among Euromaidan protesters, 55% were from the west of the country, with 24% from central Ukraine and 21% from the east.

In a poll taken on 7–8 December, 73% of protesters had committed to continue protesting in Kyiv as long as needed until their demands were fulfilled. This number had increased to 82% as of 3 February 2014.{{cite news|title=Poll discovers EuroMaidan evolution from dreamy to radical|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poll-discovers-euromaidan-evolution-from-dreamy-to-radical-336389.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=6 February 2014|access-date=6 February 2014|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118184847/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poll-discovers-euromaidan-evolution-from-dreamy-to-radical-336389.html|url-status=live}} Polls also showed that the nation was divided in age: while a majority of young people were pro-EU, older generations (50 and above) more often preferred the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia.{{cite web |url=http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/up-front/posts/2013/11/18-viktor-yanukovych-losing-europe-ukrainian-public-pifer-thoburn |title=Viktor Yanukovych: Losing Europe ... and Losing the Ukrainian Public? |publisher=Brookings Institution |date=18 November 2013 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422080206/http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/up-front/posts/2013/11/18-viktor-yanukovych-losing-europe-ukrainian-public-pifer-thoburn |url-status=live }} More than 41% of protesters were ready to take part in the seizure of administrative buildings as of February, compared to 13 and 19 per cent during polls on 10 and 20 December 2013. At the same time, more than 50 per cent were ready to take part in the creation of independent military units, compared to 15 and 21 per cent during the past studies, respectively.

According to a January poll, 45% of Ukrainians supported the protests, and 48% of Ukrainians disapproved of Euromaidan.{{cite news|title=Poll: More Ukrainians disapprove of EuroMaidan protests than approve of it|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/more-ukrainians-disapprove-of-euromaidan-protests-than-approve-of-it-poll-336461.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=7 February 2014|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911035029/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/more-ukrainians-disapprove-of-euromaidan-protests-than-approve-of-it-poll-336461.html|url-status=live}}

In a March poll, 57% of Ukrainians said they supported the Euromaidan protests.{{cite web |url=http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20April%205%20IRI%20Public%20Opinion%20Survey%20of%20Ukraine,%20March%2014-26,%202014.pdf |title=Public Opinion Survey, Residents of Ukraine — March 14–26, 2014 |page=100 |access-date=25 July 2014 |archive-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127182403/https://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20April%205%20IRI%20Public%20Opinion%20Survey%20of%20Ukraine,%20March%2014-26,%202014.pdf |url-status=live }}

A study of public opinion in regular and social media found that 74% of Russian speakers in Ukraine supported the Euromaidan movement, and a quarter opposed.{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/harvard-study-shows-russian-speaking-ukrainians-backing-kyiv/2476908.html|title=Harvard Study Shows Russian-speaking Ukrainians Backing Kyiv|date=8 October 2014|publisher=VOA|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022232503/http://www.voanews.com/content/harvard-study-shows-russian-speaking-ukrainians-backing-kyiv/2476908.html|url-status=live}}

File:Klitschko Tyahnybok Yatsenyuk Dec 8 2013.jpg

According to a 4 to 9 December 2013 study[http://rb.com.ua/eng/projects/omnibus/8840/ "EUROMAYDAN – 2013"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213064315/http://rb.com.ua/eng/projects/omnibus/8840/ |date=13 December 2013 }}, Research & Branding Group (10 December 2013) by Research & Branding Group, 49% of all Ukrainians supported Euromaidan and 45% had the opposite opinion. It was mostly supported in Western (84%) and Central Ukraine (66%). A third (33%) of residents of South Ukraine and 13% of residents of Eastern Ukraine supported Euromaidan as well. The percentage of people who do not support the protesters was 81% in East Ukraine, 60% in South Ukraine{{#tag:ref|According to the Financial Times, people in East Ukraine and South Ukraine "tend to be more politically passive than their western counterparts. Locals say they still feel part of Ukraine and have no desire to reunite with Russia – nor are they likely to engage in conflict with the west".[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/f4296e8e-868d-11e3-885c-00144feab7de.html#axzz2rWLsvjrR Ukraine Q&A: How protests turned violent and what comes next], Financial Times (26 January 2014)|group=nb}}, in Central Ukraine 27% and in Western Ukraine 11%. Polls have shown that two-thirds of Kyivans supported the ongoing protests.

A poll conducted by the Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Fund and Razumkov Center, between 20 and 24 December, showed that over 50% of Ukrainians supported the Euromaidan protests, while 42% opposed it.

Another Research & Branding Group survey (conducted from 23 to 27 December) showed that 45% of Ukrainians supported Euromaidan, while 50% did not.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/184540.html Half of Ukrainians don't support Kyiv Euromaidan, R&B poll], Interfax-Ukraine (30 December 2013) 43% of those polled thought that Euromaidan's consequences "sooner could be negative", while 31% of the respondents thought the opposite; 17% believed that Euromaidan would bring no negative consequences.

An Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation survey of protesters conducted 7 and 8 December 2013 found that 92% of those who came to Kyiv from across Ukraine came on their own initiative, 6.3% was organised by a public movement, and 1.8% were organised by a party.{{cite news|title=Poll: Over 70 percent of Euromaidan participants are ready to protest for as long as is needed|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poll-over-70-percent-of-euromaidan-participants-are-ready-to-protest-for-as-long-as-is-needed-333573.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=13 December 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}} 70% Said they came to protest the police brutality of 30 November, and 54% to protest in support of the European Union Association Agreement signing. Among their demands, 82% wanted detained protesters freed, 80% wanted the government to resign, and 75% want president Yanukovych to resign and for snap elections.{{cite news|last=Rachkevych|first= Mark|title=Survey: EuroMaidan is grassroots movement, in danger of being 'radicalized'|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/survey-euromaidan-is-grassroots-movement-in-danger-of-being-radicalized-333391.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post |date=10 December 2013|access-date=10 December 2013}} The poll showed that 49.8% of the protesters are residents of Kyiv and 50.2% came from elsewhere in Ukraine. 38% Of the protesters are aged between 15 and 29, 49% are aged between 30 and 54, and 13% are 55 or older. A total of 57.2% of the protesters are men.

In the eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv, 29% of the population believe "In certain circumstances, an authoritarian regime may be preferable to a democratic one."{{cite news|url=http://zn.ua/POLITICS/kazhdyy-pyatyy-ukrainec-hochet-zhit-v-avtoritarnom-gosudarstve-137102_.html|script-title=ru:Каждый пятый украинец хочет жить в авторитарном государстве|trans-title=Every Fifth Ukrainian Wants to Live in Sovereign State|date=21 January 2014|access-date=29 January 2014|language=ru}}{{cite web |url=http://www.razumkov.org.ua/eng/poll.php?poll_id=612 |title=Ukraine, poll: Attitudes of the population of Ukraine towards democracy and authoritarianism (recurrent, 2004–2012) // Razumkov Centre |publisher=Razumkov.org.ua |access-date=3 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219184612/http://www.razumkov.org.ua/eng/poll.php?poll_id=612 |archive-date=19 February 2014}}

According to polls, 11% of the Ukrainian population has participated in the Euromaidan demonstrations, and another 9% has supported the demonstrators with donations.{{cite web|url=http://24tv.ua/home/showSingleNews.do?v_aktsiyah_evromaydana_prinyali_uchastie_20_naseleniya__opros&objectId=510887&lang=ru |title=В акциях Евромайдана приняли участие 20% населения – опрос |date=13 November 2017 |trans-title=20% of the population took part in Euromaidan actions - poll |publisher=24tv.ua}}

According to a 4 to 9 December 2013 study by Research & Branding Group 46% of Ukrainians supported the integration of the country into EU, and 36% into the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Most support for EU integration could be found in West (81%) and in Central (56%) Ukraine; 30% of residents of South Ukraine and 18% of residents of Eastern Ukraine supported the integration with EU as well. Integration with the Customs Union was supported by 61% of East Ukraine and 54% of South Ukraine and also by 22% of Central and 7% of Western Ukraine.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

According to a 7 to 17 December 2013 poll by the Sociological group "RATING", 49.1% of respondents would vote for Ukraine's accession to the European Union in a referendum, and 29.6% would vote against the motion. Meanwhile, 32.5% of respondents would vote for Ukraine's accession to the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, and 41.9% would vote against.[http://ratinggroup.com.ua/en/products/politic/data/entry/14080/ The socio-political situation in Ukraine: December 2013], Sociological group "RATING" (25 December 2013)

According to an August 2013 study by a Donetsk company, Research & Branding Group,{{cite web|title=Большинство украинцев поддерживают ассоциацию с ЕС |trans-title=Most Ukrainians support association with the EU |url=http://zn.ua/POLITICS/bolshinstvo-ukraincev-podderzhivayut-associaciyu-s-es-128544_.html|publisher=Зеркало недели. Украина}} 49% of Ukrainians supported signing the Association Agreement, while 31% opposed it and the rest had not decided yet. However, in a December poll by the same company, only 30% claimed that terms of the Association Agreement would be beneficial for the Ukrainian economy, while 39% said they were unfavourable for Ukraine. In the same poll, only 30% said the opposition would be able to stabilise the society and govern the country well, if coming to power, while 37% disagreed.{{cite web |author=Авдотья СкворцоваИнтернет издание – Ваш день |url=http://rb.com.ua/rus/projects/omnibus/8836/ |title="ЕВРОМАЙДАН – 2013" |trans-title="EUROMAYDAN - 2013" |publisher=Rb.com.ua |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221232523/http://rb.com.ua/rus/projects/omnibus/8836/ |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Authors of the GfK Ukraine poll conducted 2–15 October 2013 claim that 45% of respondents believed Ukraine should sign an Association Agreement with the EU, whereas only 14% favoured joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, and 15% preferred non-alignment. Full text of the EU-related question asked by GfK reads, "Should Ukraine sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, and, in the future, become an EU member?"{{cite web |url=http://www.gfk.ua/imperia/md/content/gfkukraine/pressreleases/20131112_gfk_rel_integration_ukr.pdf |title=Українці обирають Євросоюз |trans-title=Ukrainians choose the European Union |access-date=26 March 2014 | archive-date=13 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113175817/http://www.gfk.ua/imperia/md/content/gfkukraine/pressreleases/20131112_gfk_rel_integration_ukr.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Another poll conducted in November by IFAK Ukraine for DW-Trend showed 58% of Ukrainians supporting the country's entry into the European Union.{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.de/a-17230854|title=DW-Trend: більшість українців – за вступ до ЄС |trans-title=DW-Trend: the majority of Ukrainians are in favor of joining the EU |work=Deutsche Welle|access-date=8 December 2013}} On the other hand, a November 2013 poll by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed 39% supporting the country's entry into the European Union and 37% supporting Ukraine's accession to the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poll-ukrainian-public-split-over-eu-customs-union-options-332470.html Poll: Ukrainian public split over EU, Customs Union options], Kyiv Post (26 November 2013)

In December 2013, then Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov refuted the pro-EU poll numbers claiming that many polls posed questions about Ukraine joining the EU, and that Ukraine had never been invited to join the Union,{{cite web|url=http://podrobnosti.ua/power/2013/12/27/950651.html |title=Азаров: Украину никто не приглашает вступать в ЕС |trans-title=Azarov: Nobody invites Ukraine to join the EU |publisher=Podrobnosti.ua |date= 27 December 2013|access-date=3 March 2014}} but only to sign the European Union Association Agreement (a treaty between the EU and another country, in this case Ukraine).{{cite web|url=http://censor.net.ua/news/265152/vopros_o_vstuplenii_ukrainy_v_es_bessmyslennyyi_azarov |title=срыв евроинтеграции: Вопрос о вступлении Украины в ЕС – бессмысленный, – Азаров – Азаров, Евросоюз, Срыв ассоциации с ЕС, срыв евроинтеграции (27.12.13 21:31) " Политика Украи |date=27 December 2013 |trans-title=failure of European integration: The issue of Ukraine's accession to the EU is meaningless, - Azarov - Azarov, European Union, Failure of association with the EU, failure of European integration (27.12.13 21:31) " Politics of Ukraine |publisher=Censor.net.ua |access-date=3 March 2014}}

The Financial Times said the 2013 protests were "largely spontaneous, sparked by social media, and have caught Ukraine's political opposition unprepared" compared to their well-organised predecessors.{{cite news|last=Olearchyk|first=Roman |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4005fa5a-5913-11e3-9798-00144feabdc0.html|title=Ukraine protests hampered by fragmenting of political opposition|newspaper=Financial Times|date=30 November 2013|access-date=1 December 2013}} The hashtag #euromaidan (Ukrainian: #євромайдан, Russian: #евромайдан), emerged immediately on the first meeting of the protests and was highly useful as a communication instrument for protesters.{{cite news|author=BBC Trending |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-25050141 |title=BBC News – European Square: Hashtag of Ukraine protest |website=BBC |date=22 November 2013 |access-date=3 March 2014}}

Paul Robert Magocsi illustrated the effect of the Orange Revolution on Euromaidan, saying,

Was the Orange Revolution a genuine revolution? Yes it was. And we see the effects today. The revolution wasn't a revolution of the streets or a revolution of (political) elections; it was a revolution of the minds of people, in the sense that for the first time in a long time, Ukrainians and people living in territorial Ukraine saw the opportunity to protest and change their situation. This was a profound change in the character of the population of the former Soviet Union.{{cite web|last=Magocsi|first=Paul Robert|title=EuroMaidan vs. Orange Revolution, PR Magocsi (ЄвроМайдан)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owr9a-Vo5qk| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207085622/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owr9a-Vo5qk&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2013-12-07 | url-status=dead|publisher=UkeTube|access-date=6 December 2013}}

Lviv-based historian Yaroslav Hrytsak also remarked on the generational shift,

This is a revolution of the generation that we call the contemporaries of Ukraine's independence (who were born around the time of 1991); it is more similar to the Occupy Wall Street protests or those in Istanbul demonstrations (of this year). It's a revolution of young people who are very educated, people who are active in social media, who are mobile and 90 percent of whom have university degrees, but who don't have futures.

According to Hrytsak: "Young Ukrainians resemble young Italians, Czech, Poles, or Germans more than they resemble Ukrainians who are 50 and older. This generation has a stronger desire for European integration and fewer regional divides than their seniors."[http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-protests-generational-divide/25182439.html In Ukraine, Protests Highlight 'Generational Rift'], Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (27 November 2013) In a Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll taken in September, joining the European Union was mostly supported by young Ukrainians (69.8% of those aged 18 to 29), higher than the national average of 43.2% support.{{in lang|uk}} [http://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=197&page=1 Which way Ukraine should go – which union should join?], Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (3 October 2013){{cite web|url= http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poll-ukrainian-public-split-over-eu-customs-union-options-332470.html|title=Poll: Ukrainian public split over EU, Customs Union options|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=26 November 2013 |access-date=1 December 2013}} A November 2013 poll by the same institute found the same result with 70.8% aged 18 to 29 wanting to join the European Union while 39.7% was the national average of support. An opinion poll by GfK conducted 2–15 October found that among respondents aged 16–29 with a position on integration, 73% favoured signing an Association Agreement with the EU, while only 45% of those over the age of 45 favoured Association. The lowest support for European integration was among people with incomplete secondary and higher education.{{cite web|title=Українці обирають Євросоюз |trans-title=Ukrainians choose the European Union |url=http://www.gfk.ua/public_relations/press/press_articles/011218/index.ua.html|publisher=GfK Ukraine|date=12 November 2013|access-date=8 December 2013|archive-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212085344/http://www.gfk.ua/public_relations/press/press_articles/011218/index.ua.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Hrushevskyi street - 2014 Jan 22 - 28.jpg

In the early stages of Euromaidan, there was discussion about whether the Euromaidan movement constituted a revolution. At the time many protest leaders (such as Oleh Tyahnybok) had already used this term frequently when addressing the public. Tyahnybok called in an official 2 December press release for police officers and members of the military to defect to 'the Ukrainian revolution'.{{cite web|last=Tyahnybok|first=Oleh|title=Oleh Tyahnybok: I appeal to law-enforcement agents who still have their honor – choose the side of the Ukrainian revolution!|url=http://en.svoboda.org.ua/news/comments/00008492/|newspaper=Svoboda|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125092724/http://en.svoboda.org.ua/news/comments/00008492/|archive-date=25 January 2014|url-status=dead}}

In a Skype interview with media analyst Andrij Holovatyj, Vitaly Portnikov, Council Member of the "Maidan" National Alliance and President and Editor-in-Chief of the Ukrainian television channel TVi, stated "EuroMaidan is a revolution and revolutions can drag on for years" and that "what is happening in Ukraine goes much deeper. It is changing the national fabric of Ukraine."{{YouTube|VDftfd8nhUA|UkeTube}}

On 10 December Yanukovych said, "Calls for a revolution pose a threat to national security."[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/12/20131210163821530248.html Ukraine president slams calls for revolution], Al Jazeera (10 December 2013) Former Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has described the movement as "the first geopolitical revolution of the 21st century".{{cite news|last=Saakashvili|first=Mikheil|title=Why the West Must Join the Ukraine Protesters |url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303553204579346560862388416|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=27 January 2014}}

Political expert Anders Åslund commented on this aspect,

Revolutionary times have their own logic that is very different from the logic of ordinary politics, as writers from Alexis de Tocqueville to Crane Brinton have taught. The first thing to understand about Ukraine today is that it has entered a revolutionary stage. Like it or not, we had better deal with the new environment rationally.{{Cite web |last=Åslund |first=Anders |date=2014-01-30 |title=Yanukovych's Time Is Up in Ukraine; the West Must Prepare |url=https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economic-issues-watch/yanukovychs-time-ukraine-west-must-prepare |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Peterson Institute for International Economics |language=en}}

During the annual World Economic Forum meeting at the end of January 2014 in Davos (Switzerland) Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov received no invitations to the main events; according to the Financial Times's Gideon Rachman because the Ukrainian government was blamed for the violence of the 2014 Hrushevskoho Street riots.[http://video.ft.com/3097180150001/Davos-leaves-Ukraine-PM-out-in-the-cold/world Davos leaves Ukraine PM out in the cold], Financial Times (23 January 2014)

A telephone call was leaked of US diplomat Victoria Nuland speaking to the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt about the future of the country, in which she said that Klitschko should not be in the future government, and expressed her preference for Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who became interim Prime Minister. She also casually stated "fuck the EU."{{cite news|title='Fuck the EU': US diplomat Victoria Nuland's phonecall leaked – video|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/feb/07/eu-us-diplomat-victoria-nuland-phonecall-leaked-video|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 February 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26079957 |title=Ukraine crisis: Transcript of leaked Nuland-Pyatt call |work=BBC News |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014}} German chancellor Angela Merkel said she deemed Nuland's comment "completely unacceptable".{{cite news|title=Angela Merkel: Victoria Nuland's remarks on EU are unacceptable|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/07/angela-merkel-victoria-nuland-eu-unacceptable|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 February 2014}} Commenting on the situation afterwards, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that Nuland had apologized to her EU counterparts{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/top-us-diplomat-europe-says-sorry-cursing-eu-212634089.html;_ylt=AwrTWfyAEfRSCGMAibHQtDMD/ |title=Top US diplomat for Europe sorry for cursing the EU |author=AFP |date=6 February 2014 |access-date=6 February 2014 |publisher=news.yahoo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302005254/http://news.yahoo.com/top-us-diplomat-europe-says-sorry-cursing-eu-212634089.html%3B_ylt%3DAwrTWfyAEfRSCGMAibHQtDMD/ |archive-date=2 March 2014}} while White House spokesman Jay Carney alleged that because it had been "tweeted out by the Russian government, it says something about Russia's role".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/06/us-russia-eu-victoria-nuland |title=US blames Russia for leak of undiplomatic language from top official |author=AFP |date=6 February 2014 |access-date=6 February 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

In February 2014 IBTimes reported, "if Svoboda and other far-right groups gain greater exposure through their involvement in the protests, there are fears they could gain more sympathy and support from a public grown weary of political corruption and Russian influence on Ukraine.""[http://www.ibtimes.com/euromaidan-dark-shadows-far-right-ukraine-protests-1556654 Euromaidan: The Dark Shadows Of The Far-Right In Ukraine Protests]", International Business Times, 19 February 2014. In the following late October 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election Svoboda lost 31 seats of the 37 seats it had won in the 2012 parliamentary election.[http://utr.tv/eng/news-from-www-ukrinform-ua/327072-poroshenko_bloc_to_have_greatest_number_of_seats_in_parliament_327072.html Poroshenko Bloc to have greatest number of seats in parliament] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110000000/http://utr.tv/eng/news-from-www-ukrinform-ua/327072-poroshenko_bloc_to_have_greatest_number_of_seats_in_parliament_327072.html |date=10 November 2014 }}, Ukrainian Television and Radio (8 November 2014)
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/233404.html People's Front 0.33% ahead of Poroshenko Bloc with all ballots counted in Ukraine elections – CEC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112000000/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/233404.html |date=12 November 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (8 November 2014)
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/233426.html Poroshenko Bloc to get 132 seats in parliament – CEC], Interfax-Ukraine (8 November 2014)[http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/eastweek/2012-11-07/after-parliamentary-elections-ukraine-a-tough-victory-party-regions After the parliamentary elections in Ukraine: a tough victory for the Party of Regions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317180048/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/eastweek/2012-11-07/after-parliamentary-elections-ukraine-a-tough-victory-party-regions |date=17 March 2013 }}, Centre for Eastern Studies (7 November 2012) The other main far-right party Right Sector won 1 seat (of the 450 seats in the Ukrainian parliament) in the same 2014 election. From 27 February 2014 till 12 November 2014 three members of Svoboda did hold positions in Ukraine's government.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/234059.html Svoboda party members in Ukrainian government resign – Deputy Premier Sych], Interfax-Ukraine (12 November 2014)

On 21 February, after negotiations between President Yanukovych and representatives of opposition with mediation of representatives of the European Union and Russia, the agreement "About settlement of political crisis in Ukraine" was signed. The agreement provided return to the constitution of 2004, that is to a parliamentary presidential government, carrying out early elections of the president until the end of 2014 and formation of "the government of national trust".{{cite web|url=http://ru.tvi.ua/new/2014/02/21/polnyj_tekst_soglasheniya_oppozicii_i_yanukovicha|title=Three leaders of opposition and the president of Ukraine signed the document on settlement of a political situation|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013009/http://ru.tvi.ua/new/2014/02/21/polnyj_tekst_soglasheniya_oppozicii_i_yanukovicha|archive-date=22 March 2014}} The Verkhovna Rada adopted the law on release of all detainees during protest actions. Divisions of "Golden eagle" and internal troops left the center of Kyiv. On 21 February, at the public announcement leaders of parliamentary opposition of conditions of the signed Agreement, representatives of "Right Sector" declared that they do not accept the gradualness of political reforms stipulated in the document, and demanded immediate resignation of the president Yanukovych—otherwise they intended to go for storm of Presidential Administration and Verkhovna Rada.{{cite web|url=http://euromaidan.rbc.ua/rus/-pravyy-sektor-nazval-soglashenie-s-yanukovichem-ocherednym-21022014160600|title="The Right Sector" is dissatisfied with the agreement with Yanukovych|access-date=28 November 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006113907/http://euromaidan.rbc.ua/rus/-pravyy-sektor-nazval-soglashenie-s-yanukovichem-ocherednym-21022014160600|url-status=dead}}

On the night of 22 February activists of Euromaidan seized the government quarter{{cite news |title=Protesters seize Ukraine president's office, take control of Kiev |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-protesters-take-control-of-kiev-seize-presidents-office/ |website=CBS News |date=22 February 2015 |access-date=9 October 2015}} left by law enforcement authorities and made a number of new demands—in particular, immediate resignation of the president Yanukovych.{{cite web|url=http://www.segodnya.ua/politics/pnews/maydan-polnostyu-kontroliruet-kiev-parubiy-497737.html|title=Майдан полностью контролирует Киев – Парубий |trans-title=Maidan fully controls Kyiv - Parubiy |work=segodnya.ua|date=11 July 2022 }} Earlier that day, they stormed into Yanukovych's mansion.{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Cullison |date=22 February 2014 |title=Ukrainians Flock to See Yanukovych's Mansion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303775504579399421625373560 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=10 October 2015}}

On 23 February 2014, following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, the Rada passed a bill that would have altered the law on languages of minorities, including Russian. The bill would have made Ukrainian the sole state language at all levels.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-western-nations-eu-russia |title=Western nations scramble to contain fallout from Ukraine crisis |date=24 February 2014 |work=The Guardian |first=Ian |last=Traynor}} However, on the next week 1 March, President Turchynov vetoed the bill.{{cite news|url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/world/europe/ukraine-turns-to-its-oligarchs-for-political-help.html?_r=0&referrer=|title=Ukraine Turns to Its Oligarchs for Political Help|author=Kramer, Andrew|newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 March 2014}}

Following the Protests, Euromaidan activists mobilized toward state transformation. Activists began to, "promote reforms, drafting and advocating for legislative proposals and monitoring reform implementations."{{cite journal|title=Civil Society in post-Euromaidan Ukraine: From revolution to consolidation|first1=Natalia|last1= Shapovalova |first2=Olga|last2=Burlyuk |date= 2018|journal=Civil Society |publisher=ibidem Press}}

The Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov, asked for 20 billion Euros (US$27 billion) in loans and aid from the EU The EU was willing to offer 610 million euros (838 million US) in loans, however Russia was willing to offer 15 billion US in loans. Russia also offered Ukraine cheaper gas prices. As a condition for the loans, the EU required major changes to the regulations and laws in Ukraine. Russia did not.

Moody's Investors Service reported on 4 December 2013 "As a consequence of the severity of the protests, demand for foreign currency is likely to rise" and noted that this was another blow to Ukraine's already poor solvency.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/179320.html Protests in Ukraine up risk of growth in foreign currency demand, says Moody's], Interfax-Ukraine (4 December 2013) First deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov stated on 7 December Ukraine risked a default if it failed to raise $10 billion "I asked for a loan to support us, and Europe [the EU] agreed, but a mistake was made – we failed to put it on paper."[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/179971.html Ukraine needs $10 bln to avoid default – deputy PM], Interfax-Ukraine (7 December 2013)

File:Petro Poroshenko addresses Euromaidan.jpg addresses Euromaidan on 8 December 2013]]

On 3 December, Azarov warned that Ukraine might not be able to fulfill its natural gas contracts with Russia.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/178908.html#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_tot=1&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=0 Ukraine might not be able to fulfill gas contracts with Russia, says Ukrainian premier], Interfax-Ukraine (3 December 2013) And he blamed the deal on restoring gas supplies of 18 January 2009 for this.

On 5 December, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov stated that "money to finance the payment of pensions, wages, social payments, support of the operation of the housing and utility sector and medical institutions do not appear due to unrest in the streets" and he added that authorities were doing everything possible to ensure the timely financing of them.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/179474.html Money for pensions, wages, social payments short due to actions of protesters, says Ukrainian premier], Interfax-Ukraine (5 December 2013) Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Natalia Korolevska stated on 2 January 2014 that these January 2014 payments would begin according to schedule.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/184723.html Korolevska: Payment of pensions in January to begin according to schedule], Interfax-Ukraine (2 January 2014)

On 11 December, the second Azarov Government postponed social payments due to "the temporarily blocking of the government".[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/181042.html Azarov: Full repayment of debt on social payments postponed until end of this year due to protests], Interfax-Ukraine (11 December 2013) The same day Reuters commented (when talking about Euromaidan) "The crisis has added to the financial hardship of a country on the brink of bankruptcy" and added that (at the time) investors thought it more likely than not that Ukraine would default over the next five years (since it then cost Ukraine over US$1 million a year to insure $10 million in state debt).[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BA04420131211 Ukraine protesters defy police, leaders reject talks with president], Reuters (11 December 2013)

Fitch Ratings reported on 16 December that the (political) "standoff" had led to "greater the risk that political uncertainty will raise demand for foreign currency, causing additional reserve losses and increasing the risk of disorderly currency movement". It also added "Interest rates rose sharply as the National Bank sought to tighten hryvnia liquidity."[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182225.html Fitch: Ukraine protests increase pressure on credit profile], Interfax-Ukraine (16 December 2013)

First Deputy Finance Minister Anatoliy Miarkovsky stated on 17 December the Ukrainian government budget deficit in 2014 could amount to about 3% with a "plus or minus" deviation of 0.5%.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182436.html Ukraine's budget deficit in 2014 expected at 3% of GDP – Finance Ministry], Interfax-Ukraine (17 December 2013)

On 18 December, the day after an economical agreement with Russia was signed, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov stated, "Nothing is threatening stability of the financial-economic situation in Ukraine now. Not a single economic factor."[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182569.html Nothing threatening Ukraine's economic, financial stability now – PM Azarov], Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013) However, BBC News reported that the deal "will not fix Ukraine's deeper economic problems" in an article titled "Russian bailout masks Ukraine's economic mess".[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25430980 Russian bailout masks Ukraine's economic mess], BBC News (18 December 2013)

On 21 January 2014, the Kyiv City State Administration claimed that protests in Kyiv had so far caused the city more than 2 million US dollars worth of damage. It intended to claim compensation for damage caused by all demonstrators, regardless of their political affiliation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140219174023/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-01/21/c_133063455.htm Protests cause multi-mln-USD damage to Ukrainian capital: official], Xinhua News Agency (21 January 2014)

On 5 February 2014, the hryvnia fell to a five-year low against the US dollar.[http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/06/eu-s-ashton-demands-more-urgency-from-ukraine-politicians/ EU's Ashton demands more urgency from Ukraine politicians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626133218/https://www.euronews.com/2014/02/06/eu-s-ashton-demands-more-urgency-from-ukraine-politicians |date=26 June 2020 }}, Euronews (6 February 2014)

File:Євромайдан 02 лютого 2014 Київ.JPG

On 21 February 2014, Standard & Poor's cut Ukraine's credit rating to CCC; adding that the country risked default without "significantly favourable changes".[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-21/ukraine-likely-to-default-credit-rating-cut-to-ccc-s-p-says.html Ukraine Bonds Rally as Factions Sign Peace Pact to End Crisis], Bloomberg News (21 February 2014) Standard & Poor's analysts believed the compromise deal of the same day between President Yanukovych and the opposition made it "less likely Ukraine would receive desperately needed Russian aid, thereby increasing the risk of default on its debts".[http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/21/sp-downgrades-ukraine-again-over-default-fears/ S&P downgrades Ukraine again over default fears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101193032/https://www.euronews.com/2014/02/21/sp-downgrades-ukraine-again-over-default-fears |date=1 November 2020 }}, Euronews (21 February 2014)

In Kyiv, life continued "as normal" outside the "protest zone" (namely Maidan Nezalezhnosti).[http://www.businessinsider.com/why-ukraine-is-so-important-2014-1 Why Ukraine Is So Important], Business Insider (28 January 2014){{Cite news |title='Life goes on' amid Kiev protests |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-25971830 |access-date=2023-06-15}}

Before the Euromaidan demonstrations happened, Ukrainians did not have a strong and unified understanding of what it meant to be Ukrainian. There was confusion on whether a person should be considered Ukrainian on a civic or ethnographic basis. Most citizens of Ukraine during the Euromaidan perceived the protests as a battle against the regime. Therefore, the social impact that Euromaidan had on Ukrainians is a stronger sense of national identity and unity. Results from a survey shows that the people who identified themselves as Ukrainian after the Euromaidan grew by 10% compared to the survey conducted before the protests.{{Cite journal |last=Kulyk |first=Volodymyr |date=2016-04-20 |title=National Identity in Ukraine: Impact of Euromaidan and the War |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09668136.2016.1174980 |journal=Europe-Asia Studies |language=en |volume=68 |issue=4 |pages=588–608 |doi=10.1080/09668136.2016.1174980 |s2cid=147826053 |issn=0966-8136|url-access=subscription }}

"Euromaidan" was named Word of the Year for 2013 by modern Ukrainian language and slang dictionary Myslovo,[http://gazeta.ua/articles/mova-zavtra/_evromajdan-slovo-roku-i-ne-tilki-v-ukrajini/535204 «Євромайдан»— слово року, і не тільки в Україні], Газета.ua, 14 January 2014 {{in lang|uk}} and the most popular neologism in Russia by web analytics company Public.ru.[http://gazeta.ua/articles/mova-zavtra/_evromajdan-i-titushko-neologizmi-roku-v-rosiji/533095 Євромайдан і Тітушко— неологізми року в Росії], Газета.ua, 14 January 2014 {{in lang|uk}}

According to a representative of the Kyiv History Museum, its collection in the Ukrainian House on the night of 18–19 February, after it was recaptured by the police from the protesters.{{cite web|url=http://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/accidents/neizvestnye-razgrabili-fondy-muzeya-istorii-kieva-v-ukrainskom-20022014132000 |title=Неизвестные разграбили фонды Музея истории Киева в Украинском доме |trans-title=Unknown people plundered the stock of the Museum of the History of Kyiv in the Ukrainian House |publisher=Rbc.ua |date=20 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014}} Eyewitnesses report seeing the police forces plundering and destroying the museum's property.{{cite web|url=http://society.lb.ua/culture/2014/02/19/256123_muzeynie_fondi_ukrainskom_dome.html |title=Фонды Музея истории Киева в Украинском доме полностью разгромлены (ДОПОЛНЕНО) |trans-title=The stock of the Museum of the History of Kyiv in the Ukrainian House are completely destroyed (UPDATED) |publisher=Society.lb.ua |date=19 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014}}

File:Protester Piano Extremist plays on the roof burned "Berkut" bus. The barricade across Hrushevskoho str. Kiev, 10.02.2014..jpg" bus. The barricade across Hrushevskoho str. Kyiv, 10 February 2014.]]

Leading Ukrainian performers sang the song "Brat za Brata" ({{langx|en|"Brother for Brother"}}) by Kozak System to support protesters. The song was one of the unofficial anthems of Euromaidan.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63YaFOWH0lE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/63YaFOWH0lE| archive-date=2021-11-08 | url-status=live|title=Brat za Brata (Брат за брата). |trans-title=Brother for Brother- Famous Ukrainian artists against the Regime.|date=1 December 2013|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Ukrainian-Polish band Taraka came up with a song dedicated to "Euromaidan" "Podaj Rękę Ukrainie" (Give a Hand to Ukraine). The song uses the first several words of the National anthem of Ukraine "Ukraine has not yet died".[http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/vsi-polski-telekanali-odnochasno-vvimknuli-pisnyu-na-znak-pidtrimki-ukrayini-332460.html All Polish TV channels simultaneously turned on a song in sign of support for Ukraine]. TSN. 2 February 2014[http://dt.ua/WORLD/v-efiri-polskih-tele-i-radiokanaliv-odnochasno-translyuvalasya-pisnya-na-znak-yednannya-z-ukrayinoyu-136689_.html All Polish TV channels simultaneously turned on a song in sign of support for Ukraine]. Mirror Weekly. 2 February 2014[http://www.polradio.pl/5/118/Artykul/161001,%D0%93%D1%83%D1%80%D1%82-Taraka-%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%83%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B2-%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86%D1%8F Band Taraka moved hearts]. Polskie Radio. 4 February 2014

Among other tunes, some remakes of the Ukrainian folk song "Aflame the pine was on fire" appeared ({{langx|uk|Горіла сосна, палала}}).[http://life.pravda.com.ua/culture/2014/01/29/150308/ Aflame the tire was on fire: new eurohit. Video]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 29 January 2014[http://espreso.tv/new/2014/02/07/pisnya_prysvyachena_maydanivcyam_horila_bochka_dymila New hit of the revolutionary Maidan: "Aflame the barrel was on smoke"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140211230211/http://espreso.tv/new/2014/02/07/pisnya_prysvyachena_maydanivcyam_horila_bochka_dymila |date=11 February 2014 }}. espreso TV. 4 February 2014

The Ukrainian band Skriabin created a song dedicated to the revolutionary days of Maidan.[http://espreso.tv/new/2014/01/23/skryabin_pidtrymav_ukrayinciv_i_zapysav_pisnyu Band Skriabin at night on 23 January wrote a song] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140211231452/http://espreso.tv/new/2014/01/23/skryabin_pidtrymav_ukrayinciv_i_zapysav_pisnyu |date=11 February 2014}}. espreso TV. 23 January 2014 Another native of Kyiv dedicated a song to titushky.[http://espreso.tv/new/2014/02/05/avtohonschyk_mochanov_zapysav_pisnyu_pro_titushek Race car driver Mochanov dedicated his song to titushky] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140211233026/http://espreso.tv/new/2014/02/05/avtohonschyk_mochanov_zapysav_pisnyu_pro_titushek |date=11 February 2014}}. espreso TV. 5 February 2014

DJ Rudy Paulenko created a track inspired by events on Maidan called "The Battle at Maidan".{{YouTube|M4K4kQg0PZ8|DJ Rudy Paulenko created this track after being inspired by events on Independence Square}} 4 March 2014

Belarusian rock band Lyapis Trubetskoy's song "Warriors of Light" (Voiny Svieta) was one of the unofficial anthems of Maidan.{{in lang|uk}} [http://tabloid.pravda.com.ua/photos/53fd8ad0bc801 Klitschko at concert "Lapis Trubetskoi" autographed and shook hands], Tablo ID (27 August 2014)

A compilation of short films about the 2013 revolution named Babylon'13 was created.[http://life.pravda.com.ua/culture/2013/12/24/146923/ Babylon'13: 35 films about the life of Euromaidan]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 24 December 2013

Polish and Ukrainian activists created a short film, "Happy Kyiv", editing it with the Pharrell Williams hit "Happy" and some shoots of Babylon'13.[http://www.belsat.eu/en/wiadomosci/wideo/m,14728,happy-kyiv-inspired-by-pharrell-williams-happy-eng-subs.html Happy Kyiv] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221181713/http://www.belsat.eu/en/wiadomosci/wideo/m%2C14728%2Chappy-kyiv-inspired-by-pharrell-williams-happy-eng-subs.html |date=21 February 2014}}. belsat. 10 February 2014

On 5 February 2014, a group of activist cinematographers initiated a series of films about the people of Euromaidan.[http://life.pravda.com.ua/culture/2014/02/5/151461/ Group of activists-cinematographers initiated series of films about people of Euromaidan]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 5 February 2014

The American filmmaker John Beck Hofmann made the film [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4052016/ Maidan Massacre], about the sniper shootings. It premiered at the Siena International Film Festival, receiving the Audience Award.{{citation |title=I vincitori del Terre di Siena International Film Festival |trans-title=The winners of the Terre di Siena International Film Festival |work=Antennaradioesse |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014 |url=http://www.antennaradioesse.it/i-vincitori-del-terre-di-siena-international-film-festival/}}

In 2014 Belarusian-Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa released the documentary Maidan. It was filmed by several cameramen instructed by Loznitsa during the revolution in 2013 and 2014 and depicts different aspects, from peaceful rallies to the bloody clashes between police and protesters.{{Cite web |date=2014-05-21 |title=Cannes 2014: Maidan review – an unblinking look at Ukraine's history in action |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/21/cannes-2014-maidan-film-review-ukraine1 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

In 2015 Netflix released the documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom about the Euromaidan protests. The documentary shows the protests from the start until the resignation of Viktor Yanukovych. The movie won the Grolsch People's Choice Documentary Award at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.{{cite web |last1=Rothmuller |first1=Sheryl |title=Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom |url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/honors/ninth/honoree6 |website=Television Academy |access-date=19 February 2019 |language=en}}

In 2016 the documentary Ukraine on Fire premiered at the Taormina Film Fest.{{Cite web |first=Salvatore |last=Giannavola |title=Taormina Film Fest: Oliver Stone e Igor Lopatonok presentano Ukraine on Fire |url=https://www.telefilm-central.org/taormina-film-fest-oliver-stone-e-igor-lopatonok-ukraine-on-fire/ |date=2016-06-17 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Telefilm Central |language=it |quote=Sono queste le keywords del docufilm di Igor Lopatonok e Oliver Stone che nella mattinata di ieri hanno presentato in anteprima nazionale ‘Ukraine on Fire’.}} The central thesis of the film is that the events that led to the flight of Yanukovych in February 2014 were a coup d'état led by the USA.{{Cite web |first=J |last=M |title=Oliver Stone zoekt de waarheid achter Oekraïnecrisis in nieuwe documentaire |language=nl |trans-title=Oliver Stone seeks truth behind Ukraine crisis in new documentary |url=https://focus.knack.be/entertainment/film/oliver-stone-zoekt-de-waarheid-achter-oekrainecrisis-in-nieuwe-documentaire/article-normal-723253.html |date=2016-06-30 |access-date=2022-06-18 |work=Knack Focus |publisher=Roularta Media Group}}

The Long Breakup premiered at the 2020 East Oregon Film Festival. This long term documentary about complex relationship between Ukraine and Russia tells about the Euromaidan and the Orange Revolution and moreover from the Crimea annexation and the Donbass War.{{cite web|access-date=2023-02-23|language=en|publisher=Letterboxd|title=The Long Breakup 2020|url=https://www.letterboxd.com/film/the-long-breakup/|website=letterboxd.com}}

File:Performance "Artist-fighter". .jpg

The protests attracted numerous photographers who documented everyday life and symbolic moments at Maidan.[http://life.pravda.com.ua/person/2014/02/11/151980/ Revolution through eyes of photograph. Hanna Hrabarska]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 11 February 2014[http://life.pravda.com.ua/person/2014/02/7/151581/ Revolution through eyes of photograph. Irakliy Dzneladze]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 7 February 2014[http://life.pravda.com.ua/person/2014/02/4/151333/ Revolution through eyes of photograph. Vladyslav Musiyenko]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 4 February 2014[http://life.pravda.com.ua/person/2014/01/30/150430/ Epeople: the best project about the faces of Euromaidan]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 30 January 2014 The Maidan protest also attract support by visual artists including illustrator Sasha Godiayeva[http://life.pravda.com.ua/person/2014/02/5/151482/ Illustrator Sasha Godiayeva. Emotional protest]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 5 February 2014 and the painter Temo Svirely.[https://shambhala130.rssing.com/chan-43511891/all_p1.html "Painting in the Sky" Obituary, Shambala Times, October 25, 2014]

Theatre

While many Ukrainian playwrights and directors had trained and worked in Russia during the 1990s and 2000s, for lack of opportunity in their home country, an increasing number of them - such as Natalia Vorozhbit and Maksim Kyrochkin - decided to return to Ukraine after the Euromaidan, to contribute to an emerging vibrant field of new drama, or Ukrainian New Drama.{{Cite book |last=Birksted-Breen |first=Noah |title=The watershed year of 2014: The 'birth' of Ukrainian New Drama |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=2020 |isbn=9781788313506 |location=London |pages=121–140 |language=English}} There was also a noticeable shift towards writing in Ukrainian after 2014, whereas some bilingual Ukrainian dramatists had used Russian prior to 2014 in order to serve a greater audience base. Vorozhbit wrote a highly significant play about the Euromaidan, The Maidan Diaries, which opened at the Franko National Theatre (one of Ukraine's two national theatres; Franko is the Ukrainian language national theatre).

The 2013–14 UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match of 20 February 2014 between FC Dynamo Kyiv and Valencia CF was moved by UEFA from Kyiv's Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex to the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, "due to the security situation in the Ukrainian capital".[http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/19/dynamo-to-play-valencia-in-cyprus/ Dynamo to play Valencia in Cyprus], Euronews (19 February 2014)[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0212-0e157017b055-705c391226f4-1000--dynamo-to-play-valencia-in-cyprus/ Dynamo to play Valencia in Cyprus], UEFA (19 February 2014)

On 19 February, the Ukrainian athletes competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics asked for and were refused permission by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to wear black arm bands to honour those killed in the violent clashes in Kyiv.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-idUSBREA1G0GL20140219 Hockey heartache for hosts, Ukraine violence shocks Games], Reuters (19 February 2014) IOC president Thomas Bach offered his condolences "to those who have lost loved ones in these tragic events".

On 19 February 2014, alpine skier Bohdana Matsotska refused to further participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in protest against the violent clashes in Kyiv.[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/sport/ukrainian-olympic-alpine-skier-quits-sochi-blames-yanukovych-for-deaths-on-euromaidan-337181.html Ukrainian Olympic alpine skier quits Sochi, blames Yanukovych for deaths on EuroMaidan], Kyiv Post (19 February 2014) She and her father posted a message on Facebook stating "In solidarity with the fighters on the barricades of the Maidan, and as a protest against the criminal actions made towards the protesters, the irresponsibility of the president and his lackey government, we refuse further performance at the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014."

On 4 March 2014, the 2013–14 Eurocup Basketball Round of 16 game between BC Budivelnyk Kyiv and JSF Nanterre was moved to Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania. On 5 March 2014, another Round of 16 game between Khimik Yuzhny and Aykon TED Ankara was moved to Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul.[http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/133328 Budivelinik, Khimik home games moved, Eurocupbasketball](3 March 2014)

File:Euromaidan coin r.jpg the Euromaidan, 2015.]]In mid-October 2014, President Petro Poroshenko stated that 21 November (Euromaidan started on 21 November 2013) will be celebrated as "Day of Dignity and Freedom".{{cite news | url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/234303.html | title=Ukrainians to celebrate Day of Dignity and Freedom on November 21, Unity Day on January 22 | publisher=Interfax-Ukraine | date=13 November 2014 | access-date=16 September 2018 }}
{{cite news | url=http://www.newsru.com/world/22nov2013/ukr.html | script-title=ru:Противники приостановки евроинтеграции Украины в ночи вышли на улицы Киева | trans-title=Opponents of suspension Ukraine's European integration in the night took to the streets of Kyiv | publisher=NEWSru | language=ru | date=22 November 2013}}

As of February 2019, the Ukrainian government has broken ground on a new Maidan memorial that will run the length of Instytutska Street, now also known as Avenue of the Heavenly Hundred.{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainians-rue-lack-of-justice-for-euromaidan-killings/29780996.html|title='It Was A Tragedy Then. We Have Another Tragedy Now.' Ukrainians Rue Lack Of Justice For Euromaidan Killings|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=20 February 2019 |language=en|access-date=23 February 2019|last1=Miller |first1=Christopher }}

On 10 January 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the protesters of the 2022 Kazakh protests had used "Maidan technologies".[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-10/putin-vows-to-defend-ex-soviet-allies-from-color-revolutions Putin Vows to Defend Ex-Soviet Allies from ‘Color Revolutions’], Bloomberg News (10 January 2022)
[https://www.sb.by/en/putin-we-won-t-allow-scenarios-of-so-called-colour-revolutions-to-be-played-out.html Putin: We won't allow scenarios of so-called colour revolutions to be played out], sb.by (10 January 2022)

File:Blue and yellow ribbon.svg

File:The rally on European Square in Kiev on Sunday, November 24, 2013 (cropped).jpg

File:Headquarters of the Euromaidan revolution.jpg, a twentieth century Ukrainian nationalist.]]

A chant that was commonly chanted among protesters was “Slava Ukraini! Heroiam slava!” - "Glory to Ukraine, Glory to Heroes!"{{cite web|author=Допис by Alexey Tarasoff. |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/02/27/7016440/ |title=Хокейні вболівальники Росії під час матчу кричали Слава Україні |trans-title=Russian hockey fans shout "Glory to Ukraine" during the match |publisher=Pravda.com.ua (Ukrainian Pravda) |date=27 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014}} The chant has extended beyond Ukrainians and has been used by Crimean Tatars and Russians.{{cite web |url=http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/557239/ |title=Crimean Tatars protest Crimean parliament's refusal to recognize new authorities |publisher=Nrcu.gov.ua |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310001901/http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/557239 |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}

The red-and-black battle flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is another popular symbol among protesters, and the wartime insurgents have acted as a large inspiration for Euromaidan protesters.{{cite news |title=Ukraine Radicals Steer Violence as Nationalist Zeal Grows |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-11/ukraine-radicals-steer-violence-as-nationalist-zeal-grows.html |agency=Bloomberg News |date=11 February 2014}} Serhy Yekelchyk of the University of Victoria says the use of UPA imagery and slogans was more of a potent symbol of protest against the current government and Russia rather than adulation for the insurgents themselves, explaining "The reason for the sudden prominence of [UPA symbolism] in Kyiv is that it is the strongest possible expression of protest against the pro-Russian orientation of the current government."{{cite web |url=http://www.nst.com.my/world/upa-controversial-partisans-who-inspire-ukraine-protesters-1.474365#ixzz2uUbUWYKi |title=UPA: Controversial partisans who inspire Ukraine protesters |work=New Straits Times |date=31 January 2014 |access-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303045230/http://www.nst.com.my/world/upa-controversial-partisans-who-inspire-ukraine-protesters-1.474365#ixzz2uUbUWYKi |archive-date=3 March 2014 }} The colours of the flag symbolise Ukrainian red blood spilled on Ukrainian black earth.{{cite web |url=http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/01/18/194557.html |title="Свободовцы" послали Лукьянченко красно-черный флаг |trans-title="Svobodovtsy" sent a red-black flag to Lukyanchenko |publisher=Donetsk.comments.ua |date=18 January 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201165257/http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/01/18/194557.html |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Domestic responses to the Euromaidan|International reactions to the Euromaidan}}

In a poll published on 24 February 2014 by the state-owned Russian Public Opinion Research Center, only 15% of those Russians polled said 'yes' to the question: "Should Russia react to the overthrow of the legally elected authorities in Ukraine?"{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/11952/putin-ukraine-crimea-russia/ |title=4 Reasons Putin Is Already Losing in Ukraine |magazine=Time |date=3 March 2014}}

Investigation about Euromaidan was ongoing since December 2013 following the initial dispersal of student gathering on the night of 30 November. On 13 December 2013 the President Viktor Yanukovych and government officials announced that three high-ranking officials will be brought to justice.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/13/7006722/ Янукович: до прийняття рішення про розгін причетні троє]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 13 December 2013[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/13/7006809/ За розгін Євромайдану відповідатимуть три високопосадовця – Лукаш]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 13 December 2013 The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine questioned a chairman of the Kyiv City State Administration Oleksandr Popov on 13 December and a Security Council secretary Andriy Klyuev on 16 December.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/16/7007240/ У ГПУ заявили, що Клюєв до зачистки Майдану не причетний]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 16 December 2013 The announcement about ongoing investigation became public at the so-called "round table" negotiations initiated by former Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/13/7006652/ Янукович прийде на "стіл Кравчука"]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 13 December 2013 On 14 December, both Sivkovych and Popov were officially temporarily relieved of their duties until conclusion of the investigation.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/14/7006860/ Янукович вже "відсторонив" Сівковича і Попова]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 14 December 2013

On 17 December, the Prosecutor General questioned an activist Ruslana Lyzhychko who informed that beside Popov under pre-trial investigation are Sivkovych, Koriak and Fedchuk.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/17/7007368/ Руслана після допиту: Виглядає як замовлення проти Попова, Сівковича й "Батьківщини"]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 17 December 2013 On request of parliamentary opposition, Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka read in Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) a report on investigation about dispersal of protesters on 30 November.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/20/7007798/ Пшонка визнав, що "Беркут" розігнав Майдан, щоб встановити "йолку"]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 20 December 2013 During the report the Prosecutor General acknowledged that members of public order militsiya "Berkut" "exceeded the use of force" after being provoked by protesters. Pshonka also noted that investigation has not yet determined who exactly ordered use of force.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/20/7007805/ Пшонка визнав, що "Беркут" розігнав Майдан, щоб встановити "йолку"]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 20 December 2013 Following the PG's report, the parliamentary opposition registered a statement on creation of provisional investigation committee in regards to actions of law enforcement agencies towards peaceful protests in Kyiv.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/20/7007810/ Після слів Пшонки опозиція хоче, щоб розгін Майдану розслідувала Рада]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 20 December 2013

Earlier, a separate investigation was started by the Security Service of Ukraine on 8 December 2013 about actions aimed at seizing state power in Ukraine.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/8/7005425/ СБУ РОЗСЛІДУЄ ЗАХОПЛЕННЯ ДЕРЖВЛАДИ]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 8 December 2013 In the context of the 1 December 2013 Euromaidan riots, the Prosecutor General informed that in calls for the overthrow of the government are involved member of radical groups.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/20/7007814/ Пшонка: До спроб скинути владу причетні радикальні угрупування]. (tr. "Pshonka: Radical groups are involved in attempts to overthrow the government") Ukrayinska Pravda. 20 December 2013 During the events at Bankova, the Ukrainian militsiya managed to detained 9 people and after few days the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that it considers Ukrainian organization Bratstvo (see Dmytro Korchynsky) to be involved in instigation of disorders, while no one out of the detained were members of that organization.[https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3274121-sud-kyeva-arestoval-dvukh-yz-deviaty-podozrevaemykh-v-besporiadkakh-na-bankovoi The Kyiv court arrested two out of 9 who are suspected in the Bankova disorders (Суд Киева арестовал двух из девяти подозреваемых в беспорядках на Банковой)]. korrespondent.net. 3 December 2013Viktoriya Guerra. [https://lb.ua/society/2013/12/04/244043_prestuplenie-poluchat.html There is such a crime as to get hit by a baton to the head (Есть такое преступление – получать кийком по голове)]. LB.ua. 4 December 2013

Ukrainian mass media reported the results of forensic examinations, according to which, the government police Berkut was implicated in the murders of maidan protesters since, according to these forensic examinations, matches were found between the bullets extracted from the bodies of maidan protesters and the weapons of the government police Berkut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2016/06/24/7112731/|title=Prosecutor General: Maidan Protesters Were Shot from the Guns ofby Berkut Weapons|website=Ukrayinska Pravda}}{{Cite web|url=https://censor.net/en/news/396136/examination_confirms_berkut_officers_involvement_in_execution_of_maidan_activists_pgo|title=Examination confirms Berkut officers' involvement in execution of Maidan activists, - PGO|date=5 July 2016|website=Censor.NET}}{{Cite web|url=https://hromadske.ua/en/posts/traces-of-the-euromaidan-revolution-bullets|title=Traces of the Euromaidan Revolution: Bullets|date=20 February 2020|website=hromadske.ua}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.net/society/1401851-ekspertiza-podtverdila-uchastie-berkutovtsev-v-ubiystvah-na-maydane-gpu.html|title=Экспертиза подтвердила участие "беркутовцев" в убийствах на Майдане - ГПУ|website=www.unian.net|date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=https://nv.ua/ukraine/politics/ekspertiza-podtverdila-uchastie-berkutovtsev-v-ubijstvah-na-majdane-gpu-164394.html|title=Экспертиза подтвердила участие беркутовцев в убийствах на Майдане – ГПУ|website=nv.ua}}{{Cite web|url=https://zmina.info/en/news-en/u_sudi_po_spravi_majdanu_jeksperti_rozkazali_jak_znajshli_kuli_berkutu-3/|title=Maidan trial: Experts tell how they find bullets from Berkut officers' guns | ZMINA|date=26 July 2016|website=zmina.info}} The experts explained why no match between the bullets and the weapons, which had been assigned to the Berkut special force, had been found as a result of the examination of the bullets held in January 2015, whereas the examination carried out in December of the same year had shown such a match.{{Cite web|url=https://tyzhden.ua/pro-shcho-rozpovidaiut-kuli-z-majdanu/|title=Про що розповідають кулі з Майдану - Український тиждень|date=27 July 2016}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|

• Maidan casualties, also known as the Heavenly Hundred
• Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
• 2014 Ukrainian Regional State Administration occupations
• Cold War II
• National Guard of Ukraine
• Orange Revolution
• Paul Manafort's lobbying for Viktor Yanukovych and involvement in Ukraine
• Politics of Ukraine
• Rise up, Ukraine!
• Russian military intervention in Ukraine (2014–present)
• Ukraine without Kuchma
• Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement
• 2011–2013 Russian protests
• List of protests in the 21st century
• Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes

}}

{{Reflist |group=nb}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Bachmann |first1=Klaus |last2=Lyubashenko |first2=Igor |title=The Maidan Uprising, Separatism and Foreign Intervention: Ukraine's Complex Transition |date=2014 |publisher=Peter Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften |isbn=978-3-631-65456-9 }}

• [https://commonslibrary.org/perspectives-on-ukrainian-civil-resistance/ Perspectives on Ukrainian Civil Resistance] The Commons Social Change Library. Links to articles about nonviolence and the Orange Revolution. 2022.
• {{Wiktionary-inline}}
• {{Commonscatinline}}
• [http://www.kyivpost.com/hot/euromaidan/ EuroMaidan] collected news and commentary at the Kyiv Post
• [http://www.ustream.tv/channel/euromajdan Webcam] on Maidan Nezalezhnosti
• {{cite web |last1=Estabrook |first1=Mark |title=Euromaidan Photographic Slideshow |url=https://www.EuromaidanRevolution.com |website=Euromaidan Revolution |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=February 2014|language=en-us}}: A dedicated website with hundreds of photographs taken by Mark Estabrook of the EuroMaidan Revolution in Kyiv.

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