Editing History of Ukraine (section)

==== Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity ====
{{Main|Euromaidan|Revolution of Dignity}}

In late 2013, Ukraine faced a pivotal moment in its modern history. After years of negotiations, the government was expected to sign an [[Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement|Association Agreement with the European Union]]. However, on 21 November 2013, President [[Viktor Yanukovych]] abruptly suspended the signing, citing pressure from [[Russia]]. Instead, the government chose closer alignment with the Russian-led [[Eurasian Economic Union]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 Why is Ukraine in turmoil?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218180637/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 |date=18 December 2013 }}, [[BBC News]] (21 February 2014)</ref><ref name="aljVS291113">{{Cite web |title=Ukraine 'still wants to sign EU deal' &#124; News &#124; al Jazeera |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/ukraine-still-wants-sign-eu-deal-20131129111345619208.html}}</ref>

[[File: Anti-government protests in Kiev (13087651675).jpg|thumb|left|2013 [[Euromaidan]] protests in Kyiv]]
This decision sparked mass protests in [[Kyiv]]'s [[Maidan Nezalezhnosti|Independence Square]] (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), led by students, civic activists, and ordinary citizens who saw European integration as a path to democracy, justice, and modernization. The movement, soon known as [[Euromaidan]], quickly grew into a nationwide uprising.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26249330 Ukraine crisis: Police storm main Kyiv 'Maidan' protest camp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26249330 |date=1 December 2008 }}, [[BBC News]] (19 February 2014)</ref> Tensions escalated after riot police violently dispersed peaceful demonstrators on 30 November, leading to outrage and a wave of solidarity protests across Ukraine. In Kyiv, protesters built a large encampment in Maidan, while demonstrations spread to other major cities, including [[Lviv]], [[Kharkiv]], [[Cherkasy]], [[Ternopil]], [[Ivano-Frankivsk]], [[Odesa]], [[Donetsk]] and others.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 Ukraine protests timeline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603193226/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 |date=3 June 2014 }}, [[BBC News]] (21 February 2014)</ref>

Political opposition played a key role in organizing the movement. Three major parties stood against Yanukovych's rule: [[Batkivshchyna]] (Fatherland), led by [[Arseniy Yatsenyuk]]; [[UDAR]], led by boxing champion [[Vitali Klitschko]]; and the nationalist [[Svoboda (political party)|Svoboda]], led by [[Oleh Tyahnybok]]. These parties supported the protests and sought political reforms, including the return to a parliamentary-presidential republic.<ref name=19janKPlive>{{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}}</ref>

In January 2014, the government passed harsh anti-protest laws, further fueling unrest. [[2014 Hrushevsky Street protests|Violent clashes broke out]] in central Kyiv, particularly on [[Hrushevsky Street (Kyiv)|Hrushevskyi Street]]. Protesters formed self-defense units, while police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and, eventually, live ammunition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 January 2014 |title=15 Journalists Injured in Clashes on Hrushevskoho Street |language=en |work=Interfax-Ukraine |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/186657.html |access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

[[File:The earthly ways of the Heavenly Hundred 20.jpg|thumb|Faces of deceased protestors in an exhibition at the [[Kyiv History Museum]]]]
The crisis culminated between 18–20 February, when [[Revolution of Dignity|government snipers opened fire on demonstrators]]. Around 100 protesters were killed, later honored as the “[[Maidan casualties|Heavenly Hundred]]” (Небесна Сотня). The violence drew international condemnation, prompting the EU and U.S. to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sandford Daniel |date=19 February 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: Renewed Kyiv assault on protesters |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26252679 |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=21 February 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: Yanukovych announces 'peace deal' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26284505 |access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref>

On 21 February 2014, President Yanukovych signed an EU-mediated agreement with opposition leaders to hold early elections and restore the 2004 Constitution. However, amid mounting pressure, mass defections from his party, and the loss of support from law enforcement, Yanukovych fled Kyiv that same night. He traveled by helicopter and a car convoy toward [[Eastern Ukraine]], ultimately crossing into Russia. A few days later, he resurfaced in the Russian city of [[Rostov-on-Don]], where he held a press conference.<ref>{{cite news |author=Taylor, Charles |date=28 February 2014 |title=Profile: Ukraine's ousted President Viktor Yanukovych |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182830 |access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref>

On 22 February 2014, the [[Verkhovna Rada]] voted to remove Yanukovych from office, citing his abandonment of constitutional duties. Parliament also voted to release [[Yulia Tymoshenko]] from prison. That same day, [[Volodymyr Rybak (politician, born 1946)|Volodymyr Rybak]], the parliamentary speaker and Yanukovych ally, resigned, and was replaced by [[Oleksandr Turchynov]], a close associate of Tymoshenko. Turchynov was appointed Acting [[President of Ukraine]] until new elections could be held.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 February 2014 |title=Profile: Olexander Turchynov |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26316268 |access-date=25 February 2014}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Spoilt.exile_23.02.2014_(12756747354).jpg|Maidan from the top
File:Київ Місце бойових дій та масової загибелі громадян в районі Інститутської 8.jpg|Memorial to protesters killed in the Maidan massacre in Kyiv
File:Opposition leaders by the Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday.jpg|Opposition leaders [[Oleh Tyahnybok]], [[Arseniy Yatsenyuk]] and [[Vitali Klitschko|Vitalii Klychko]] addressing demonstrators
File:SState flag of Ukraine carried by a protester to the heart of developing clashes in Kyiv, Ukraine. Events of February 18, 2014.jpg|State flag of Ukraine behind a wall of anonymous protesters in Kyiv, Ukraine. Events of February 18, 2014
</gallery>