2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine

none August 2024 Talk:2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine#Misleading image in the infobox the territories the unrests took place. Unrests were only occurring in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Odesa March 2026 January 2018 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine.png Map of disturbances by region, indicating its peak severity the Russo-Ukrainian War Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Odesa Russia's support of separatism, opposition to Euromaidan, success of the Revolution of Dignity and the pro-European outlook of the new governmenthttp://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/party-of-regions-communist-party-banned-in-ivano-frankivsk-and-ternopil-regions-335655.html Party of Regions, Communist Party banned in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions Kyiv Post 27 January 2014 10 April 2014 27 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140627220450/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/party-of-regions-communist-party-banned-in-ivano-frankivsk-and-ternopil-regions-335655.html live http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/activity-of-regions-party-communist-party-yanukovychs-portraits-banned-in-drohobych-337297.html Activity of Regions Party, Communist Party, Yanukovych's portraits banned in Drohobych Kyiv Post 21 February 2014 10 April 2014 29 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140629054337/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/activity-of-regions-party-communist-party-yanukovychs-portraits-banned-in-drohobych-337297.html live 23 February – 2 May 2014 (2 23 2014 5 2 2014) * Union with Russiahttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27369980 East Ukraine separatists seek union with Russia 12 May 2014 BBC News 12 May 2014 7 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220307075342/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27369980 live Federalizationhttp://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046 Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices NBC News 16 March 2014 17 March 2014 8 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160337/https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046 live Referendums on status for Eastern Ukraine and Southern Ukraine Establishment of Russian as a second official language in Ukrainehttp://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/202138.html Kharkiv regional council demands official status for Russian language Interfax-Ukraine News Agency 24 April 2014 25 April 2014 25 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210225053633/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/202138.html live Creation of Donetsk, Odesa, Kharkiv and Luhansk People's Republics * Protests Riots Armed insurgency Occupation of administrative buildings Covert operations by the Russian Federation * Escalation into the war in Donbas 48 people killed during the clashes in Odesa Establishment of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics From the end of February 2014, in the aftermath of the Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity, which resulted in the ousting of Russian-leaning Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, demonstrations by Russian-backed,3 March 2014 Pro-Russia protesters occupy regional government in Ukraine's Donetsk en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-protests-idUSBREA220XI20140303 5 August 2023 7 March 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230307123000/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-protests-idUSBREA220XI20140303 live Putin's Neo-Nazi Helpers https://khpg.org//en/1394442656 5 August 2023 Human Rights in UkraineMalyarenko Tetyana Galbreath David 2016 Paramilitary motivation in Ukraine: beyond integration and abolition Southeast European and Black Sea Studies 16 1 113–138 10.1080/14683857.2016.1148414 56351688 http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49008/1/Paramilitary_motivation_in_Ukraine2.pdf pro-Russian, and anti-government groups (as well as pro-government demonstrations) took place in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Odesa. The unrest, which was supported by the Russian military and intelligence services,MIKHEIEVA OKSANA Motivations of Pro-Russian and Pro-Ukrainian Combatants in the Context of the Russian Military Intervention in the Donbas 21 December 2021 http://dx.doi.org/10.7829/j.ctv26jp68t.8 67–82 5 August 2023 Central European University Press 10.7829/j.ctv26jp68t.8 9789633864203 245625967 subscription belongs to the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian war.https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf Lessons from Russia's Operations in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine Kofman Michael Migacheva Katya RAND Corporation Santa Monica 33–34 Nichiporuk Brian Radin Andrew Tkacheva Olesya Oberholtzer Jenny 2017 17 February 2022 28 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217091710/http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf liveMitrokhin Nikolay 2015 Infiltration, Instruction, Invasion: Russia's War in the Donbass https://spps-jspps.autorenbetreuung.de/files/07-mitrokhin.pdf Journal of Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society 1 1 220–221 16 March 2022 11 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210611213218/https://spps-jspps.autorenbetreuung.de/files/07-mitrokhin.pdf dead Wilson Andrew 20 April 2016 The Donbas in 2014: Explaining Civil Conflict Perhaps, but not Civil War https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2016.1176994 Europe-Asia Studies 68 4 631–652 10.1080/09668136.2016.1176994 148334453 0966-8136 subscription 6 May 2022 16 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220506102511/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09668136.2016.1176994 live During its first phase in February–March 2014, the Ukrainian territory of Crimea was invaded and subsequently annexed by Russia following an internationally unrecognized referendum, with the United Nations General Assembly voting in favor of Ukraine's territorial integrity.DeBenedictis Kent Russian 'hybrid warfare' and the annexation of Crimea : the modern application of Soviet political warfare 2021 Bloomsbury Publishing 978-0-7556-4002-7 London 1 1238134016 Concurrently, protests by anti-Maidan and pro-Russian groups took place across other parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Local separatists, some directed and financed by the Russian security services,Kuzio Taras Putin's war against Ukraine: revolution, nationalism, and crime 2017 CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 978-1-5432-8586-4 North Charleston, South Carolina 252 982267595 took advantage of the situation and occupied government buildings in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv oblasts in early March 2014. The Ukrainian government was able to quickly quell this unrest and removed the separatists by 10 March.https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf Lessons from Russia's Operations in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine Kofman Michael Migacheva Katya RAND Corporation Santa Monica 37–38 Nichiporuk Brian Radin Andrew Tkacheva Olesya Oberholtzer Jenny 2017 17 February 2022 28 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217091710/http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf live Eventually, Kharkiv, Odesa, and most parts of Donbas, including Mariupol, remained under Ukrainian government control. The Russia-controlled DPR and LPR were formed and took control of Donetsk and Luhansk.Puri Samir https://books.google.com/books?id=mGB7EAAAQBAJ&dq=Separatist+paramilitaries+attempted+to+take+control+of+army+bases+and&pg=PT106 Russia's Road to War with Ukraine: Invasion amidst the ashes of empires 25 August 2022 Biteback Publishing 978-1-78590-771-5 en Crucially, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Odessa all remained firmly under Ukrainian government control, which meant that the actual DPR and LPR lands were not especially big at all, even if they held the major cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. ... In the second phase from April 2014, armed Russian-backed groups seized government buildings across Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, together known as the Donbas, and launched a separatist insurgency in the region. To suppress this insurgency, the Ukrainian government began what it called an "Anti-Terrorist Operation" (ATO), sending in the armed forces to quell the unrest.D'Anieri Paul J. Ukraine and Russia : from civilized divorce to uncivil war 2019 Cambridge University Press 978-1-108-48609-5 Cambridge, United Kingdom 234 1097455586 Although dozens of dominantly pro-Russian protesters were killed, the unrest in Kharkiv and Odesa oblasts did not escalate into a full-scale armed conflict. Order was restored in these regions with the cooperation of the local civil authorities,https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf Lessons from Russia's Operations in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine Kofman Michael Migacheva Katya RAND Corporation Santa Monica 39 Nichiporuk Brian Radin Andrew Tkacheva Olesya Oberholtzer Jenny 2017 17 February 2022 28 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217091710/http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf live though pro-Russian disturbances, such as bombings, continued throughout the year.https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/odessa-bombings-show-separatists-limitations Odessa Bombings Show Separatists' Limitations Background After the 2004 Orange Revolution, Russia launched a decade-long effort to restore its political influence in Ukraine by playing on existing domestic fault lines and undermining the central government.The kremlin's worldview https://web.archive.org/web/20221004152451/https://www.understandingwar.org/report/how-we-got-here-russia-kremlins-worldview 4 October 2022 , By Nataliya Bugayova, March 2019, page 18 Despite a crackdown on political opponents in 2011–12 (including the arrest and imprisonment of two popular pro-European leaders and including a tightening of personal freedoms), the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) agreed in early 2013 to work towards fulfilling the requirements for joining the European Union, including legislative reform, protecting human rights, and releasing political prisoners.Parliament passes statement on Ukraine's aspirations for European integration https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/parliament-passes-statement-on-ukraines-aspirations-for-european-integration-320792.html 4 January 2023 Interfax Ukraine Kyiv Post 22 February 2013 27 November 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221127200200/https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/parliament-passes-statement-on-ukraines-aspirations-for-european-integration-320792.html live 16th EU-Ukraine Summit: Joint Statement Council of the European Union 25 February 2013 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/foraff/135667.pdf 4 January 2023 In response, Russia started pressuring Ukraine in August 2013 by applying customs regulations on imports from the country,Eased Russian customs rules to save Ukraine $1.5 bln in 2014, says minister https://web.archive.org/web/20140125113824/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182691.html 25 January 2014 , Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013) which culminated on 14 August 2013 with the Russian Custom Service halting goods coming from Ukraine.Ukraine's Employers Federation: Russia's customs service halts all Ukrainian imports https://web.archive.org/web/20140628034354/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-employers-federation-russias-customs-service-halts-all-ukrainian-imports-328360.html 28 June 2014 . Kyiv Post. 14 August 2013. This prompted politiciansRussia sets off trade war to prevent Ukraine from signing agreement with EU, says UDAR 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 24 February 2014 . Kyiv Post. 14 August 2013.Ukraine Leader Ignores Putin Warning on EU Path https://www.voanews.com/a/reu-ukraine-ignores-putin-warning-eu/1736436.html 1 September 2013 Voice of America 24 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055619/http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-ukraine-ignores-putin-warning-eu/1736436.html 4 March 2016 liveRussia hits at Ukraine with chocolate war http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/russia-hits-ukraine-chocolate-wa-news-529804 1 September 2013 EurActiv 14 August 2013 7 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130907075902/http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/russia-hits-ukraine-chocolate-wa-news-529804 liveTrading insults https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21583998-trade-war-sputters-tussle-over-ukraines-future-intensifies-trading-insults 1 September 2013 The Economist Newspaper 24 August 2013 1 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130901172041/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21583998-trade-war-sputters-tussle-over-ukraines-future-intensifies-trading-insults livePutin warns Ukraine against EU pact http://euobserver.com/foreign/121189 1 September 2013 EUobserver 23 August 2013 27 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130827160310/http://euobserver.com/foreign/121189 liveUkraine PM tells Russia to accept "reality" of EU trade deal https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-russia-azarov-idUSBRE97R0JM20130828 1 September 2013 Reuters 28 August 2013 16 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160116195427/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-russia-azarov-idUSBRE97R0JM20130828 livePutin 'deserves medal' for pushing Ukraine towards EU http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/putin-deserved-medal-pushing-ukr-news-530038 1 September 2013 Euractiv 30 August 2013 2 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130902052257/http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/putin-deserved-medal-pushing-ukr-news-530038 liveО комплексе мер по вовлечению Украины в евразийский интеграционный процесс On a set of measures to involve Ukraine in the Eurasian integration process http://gazeta.zn.ua/internal/o-komplekse-mer-po-vovlecheniyu-ukrainy-v-evraziyskiy-integracionnyy-process-_.html 1 September 2013 Зеркало недели. Украина 16 August 2013 30 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130830084935/http://gazeta.zn.ua/internal/o-komplekse-mer-po-vovlecheniyu-ukrainy-v-evraziyskiy-integracionnyy-process-_.html deadDoes Russia Have a Secret Plan for Ukraine? https://web.archive.org/web/20170313214937/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/08/does-russia-have-a-secret-plan-for-ukraine/278894/ 13 March 2017 , The Atlantic (21 August 2013)Caught in a Zeitnot https://web.archive.org/web/20160210013156/http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/86079 10 February 2016 , The Ukrainian Week (6 August 2013) and othersUkraine media see Kremlin pressure over EU https://web.archive.org/web/20181129020530/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25051141 29 November 2018 , BBC News (22 November 2013)Q&A: Stand-off in Ukraine over EU agreement https://web.archive.org/web/20131218180637/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 18 December 2013 , BBC News (29 December 2013)Analysis: Russia's carrot-and-stick battle for Ukraine https://web.archive.org/web/20181123193709/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25401179 23 November 2018 , BBC News (17 December 2013)Eased Russian customs rules to save Ukraine $1.5 bln in 2014, says minister https://web.archive.org/web/20140125113824/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182691.html 25 January 2014 , Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013)Russia to lift restrictions on Ukrainian pipe imports – Ukrainian ministry https://web.archive.org/web/20200920012527/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/182651.html 20 September 2020 , Interfax-Ukraine (18 December 2013)Russia tightens customs rules to force Ukraine into union https://web.archive.org/web/20211127191435/https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-ukraine-customs-idUSL6N0GG17S20130815 27 November 2021 , Reuters (15 August 2013)Russia cuts Ukraine gas price by a third https://web.archive.org/web/20190617125946/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25411118 17 June 2019 , BBC News (17 December 2013) to view the move as the start of a trade war against Ukraine to prevent Ukraine from signing a trade agreement with the European Union. When president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union on 21 November 2013,https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/world/europe/a-ukraine-city-spins-beyond-the-governments-reach.html A Ukraine City Spins Beyond the Government's Reach The New York Times 15 February 2014 30 October 2021 26 February 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20211030223352/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/world/europe/a-ukraine-city-spins-beyond-the-governments-reach.html live a protest movement dubbed Euromaidan soon developed into the largest democratic mass movement in Europe since 1989,Klaus Gestwa Klaus Gestwa Osteuropa-Historiker vs 8 Thesen zum Ukraine-Krieg Historian of Eastern Europe vs 8 theses on the Ukrainian War 19-20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqWDhHzRdo Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Philosophische Fakultät Institut für Osteuropäische Geschichte und Landeskunde 2 June 2024 2023 Der Euromaidan im Jahr 2013 / 2014 war kein von den USA organisierter und von ukrainischen Faschisten durchgeführter Putsch, wie dies einige hier in Deutschland mit Verweis auf die russischen Medien darstellen wollen. ... Es gibt eine große Zahl von sehr überzeugenden, geschichts-, kultur-, sozial- und politikwissenschaftlichen Studien dazu, dass der Euromaidan die größte demokratische Massenbewegung Europas seit dem Jahr 1989 gewesen ist. The Euromaidan in 2013 / 2014 was no coup organized by the US and carried out by Ukrainian faschists, as some people here in Germany want to present it with reference to the Russian media. ... There is a large number of very convincing studies from the fields of history, cultural science, social science, and political science showing that the Euromaidan was the largest democratic mass movement in Europe since 1989. 7 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240607135700/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqWDhHzRdo live culminating in the Revolution of Dignity, which removed Yanukovych from power following a majority vote in the Verkhovna Rada and led to the dismissal of his government.https://www.rferl.org/a/was-yanukovychs-ouster-constitutional/25274346.html Was Yanukovych's Ouster Constitutional? RFE/RL 23 February 2014 5 August 2023 5 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140305014619/http://www.rferl.org/content/was-yanukovychs-ouster-constitutional/25274346.html livehttps://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193220.html Rada dismisses previous government, to form new one https://web.archive.org/web/20230427151728/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193220.html 27 April 2023 Interfax-Ukraine 27 February 2014 5 August 2023 live Some people in largely Russophone Donbas, the traditional base of support for Yanukovych and his Party of the Regions, did not approve of the revolution, expressing their support for Russia instead.Ragozin Leonid 23 December 2013 Ukraine protests: The view from Moscow https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/12/23/ukraine-protests-the-view-from-moscow 4 January 2023 Al JazeeraDrachev Viktor 9 December 2013 This one map helps explain Ukraine's protests https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/12/09/this-one-map-helps-explain-ukraines-protests/ 4 January 2023 The Washington Post 31 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221031175107/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/12/09/this-one-map-helps-explain-ukraines-protests/ live Historian William Jay Risch notes the spread of rumors aimed against the new Ukrainian government spread on TV and social media by local elites and Russian state media in Donbas. Russia actively supported the separatism in Ukraine, including using its high-level actors, such as Kremlin advisers Vladislav Surkov and Sergey Glazyev, who organized some of the pro-Russian protests.David R. Marples https://books.google.com/books?id=NxdXEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22We+now+know+that+Kremlin+advisors+Vladislav+Surkov+and+Sergei+Glazyev+had+directed+efforts+to+coordinate+and+organize+these+protests+at+the+beginning+of+March+2014%22&pg=PA26 The War in Ukraine's Donbas: Origins, Contexts, and the Future 21 December 2021 Central European University Press 978-963-386-420-3 20–26 - "We now know that Kremlin advisors Vladislav Surkov and Sergei Glazyev had directed efforts to coordinate and organize these protests at the beginning of ..." The attendees of pro-Russian protests included Russian citizens from across the border who came to support the efforts of pro-Russian activists in Ukraine.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html From Russia, 'Tourists' Stir the Protests The New York Times 3 March 2014 10 April 2014 Roth, Andrew 4 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140304074020/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html live http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/southeastern-ukraine-invaded-by-pro-russian-protesters-338629.html Southeastern Ukraine gets invasion of Russian protesters Kyiv Post 7 March 2014 10 April 2014 15 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151115033731/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/southeastern-ukraine-invaded-by-pro-russian-protesters-338629.html live Donetsk Oblast governor Serhiy Taruta said that rallies in Donetsk included ex-convicts and others who traveled from Crimea.http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/doneckimi-separatistami-viyavilisya-kolishni-zeki-i-gastroleri-z-krimu-341899.html Донецькими сепаратистами виявилися колишні зеки і гастролери з Криму Більше читайте тут (Separatists in Donetsk were former prisoners) TSN 26 March 2014 10 April 2014 uk 29 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140329114656/http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/doneckimi-separatistami-viyavilisya-kolishni-zeki-i-gastroleri-z-krimu-341899.html live Ukraine's police and border guards denied entry to more than 8,200 Russians between 4 and 25 March 2014. On 27 March 2014, National Security and Defence Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said that between 500 and 700 Russians were being denied entry daily.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-russian-provocateur-believed-to-have-planned-raid-on-ukrainian-parliament-cabinet-341555.html SBU detains Russian provocateur believed to have planned raid on parliament, cabinet buildings Kyiv Post 31 March 2014 10 April 2014 4 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004115036/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-russian-provocateur-believed-to-have-planned-raid-on-ukrainian-parliament-cabinet-341555.html live Public opinion in Ukraine February 2025 A poll conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) from 8–18 February 2014 assessed support for union with Russia throughout Ukraine. It found that, overall, 12% of those polled preferred unification with Russia.http://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=236&page=1 HOW RELATIONS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA SHOULD LOOK LIKE? PUBLIC OPINION POLL RESULTS Kyiv International Institute of Sociology 4 March 2014 10 April 2014 23 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171223055352/http://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=236&page=1 live 68.0% said that Ukraine should remain independent and maintain friendly relations with Russia. Support for a union between Russia and Ukraine was found to be much higher in certain oblasts: 41.0% in Crimea; 33.2% in Donetsk Oblast; 24.1% in Luhansk Oblast; 24.0% in Odesa Oblast; 16.7% in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; 15.1% in Kharkiv Oblast; and 13.8% in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Another Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll the following April, of all of the oblasts of southern and eastern Ukraine except Crimea (which had already been annexed by Russia by that point), found majority opposition to secession from Ukraine and annexation by Russia in all of these oblasts—albeit only a slight majority in opposition to this in the Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts).http://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=258 News – the views and opinions of South-Eastern regions residents of Ukraine: April 2014 20 March 2021 28 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220228174100/https://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=258 live Opposition to secession from Ukraine and annexation by Russia (the combined percentage for the people opting for the options of "Rather, no" and "Certainly, no, I don't") had these percentages in various southern and eastern Ukrainian oblasts: 51.9% in Luhansk Oblast; 52.2% in Donetsk Oblast; 65.6% in Kharkiv Oblast; 78.8% in Odesa Oblast; 81.5% in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; 84.1% in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; 84.6% in Kherson Oblast; 85.4% Mykolaiv Oblast. thumb|upright=0.8|Euromaidan demonstration in Kyiv, January 2014 In an opinion poll conducted from 14 to 26 March by the International Republican Institute, 26–27% of those polled in southern and eastern Ukraine viewed the Euromaidan protests as a coup d'état. Only 5% of respondents in eastern Ukraine felt that Russian-speakers were 'definitely' under pressure or threat. 13% of respondents in southern Ukraine and 22% in eastern Ukraine viewed Russia's actions in Crimea as protecting Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine, with 37% and 30% viewing them as invasion and occupation, respectively. In the poll, 22% of those in southern Ukraine and 26% of those in eastern Ukraine supported the idea of federalization for the country; 69% of southerners and 53% of easterners supported Ukraine remaining as a unitary state; and only 2% of southerners and 4% of easterners supported separatism.http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20April%205%20IRI%20Public%20Opinion%20Survey%20of%20Ukraine,%20March%2014-26,%202014.pdf IRI Public Opinion Survey of Ukraine (14–26 March 2014) International Republican Institute 5 April 2014 10 April 2014 27 January 2022 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 live 59% of those polled in eastern Ukraine would have liked to join the Russian-led customs union, while only 22% were in favour of joining the European Union. 37% of southerners preferred to join this customs union, while 29% were in favour of joining the EU. 90% of those polled in western Ukraine wanted to enter an economic union with the EU, while only 4% favoured the customs union led by Russia. Among all the Ukrainians polled overall, 34% favoured joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, while 44% were against joining it. In eastern Ukraine and southern Ukraine, only 14% and 11% of the respondents, respectively, favour joining NATO, while 67% and 52% oppose joining it. 72% of people polled in eastern Ukraine thought that the country was going in the wrong direction, compared with only 36% in western Ukraine. A poll conducted by the Donetsk Institute of Social Research and Policy Analysis analysed the identities of Donetsk inhabitants.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/world/europe/ukraine-russia.html In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism The New York Times 9 April 2014 12 April 2014 10 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140410161550/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/world/europe/ukraine-russia.html?_r=0 live While support for separatism was low, just over a third of polled Donetsk inhabitants identified themselves as "citizens of Ukraine". More preferred were "Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine" or "residents of Donbas". The same poll determined that 66% of Donetsk residents that were polled supported remaining in a unified Ukraine, while 18.2% supported joining Russia, and 4.7% supported independence.http://novosti.dn.ua/details/222251/ ru:66% дончан видят будущее в единой Украине 66% of Donetsk denizens see a future in a united Ukraine ru News of Donbas 9 April 2014 9 April 2014 10 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140410105950/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/222251/ live A second poll conducted from 26 to 29 March showed that 77% of residents condemned the takeover of administrative buildings, while 16% supported such actions. Furthermore, 40.8% of Donetsk citizens supported rallies for Ukraine's unity, while 26.5% supported pro-Russian rallies.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/total-of-77-citizens-in-donetsk-condemn-administrative-buildings-takeover-342872.html Total of 77 percent of citizens in Donetsk condemn administrative buildings takeover Kyiv Post 10 April 2014 10 April 2014 25 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925050731/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/total-of-77-citizens-in-donetsk-condemn-administrative-buildings-takeover-342872.html live In another research poll conducted 8–16 April by KIIS, a vast majority disapproved of the seizure of administrative buildings by protesters.Babiak Mat Southeast Statistics http://ukrainianpolicy.com/southeast-statistics-of-ukraine-april-2014/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20190323093948/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/southeast-statistics-of-ukraine-april-2014/ 23 March 2019 25 March 2022 Ukrainian Policy 20 April 2014The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS). February 2025 45% of those polled in the south and east of Ukraine considered acting President Oleksandr Turchynov to be legitimate, while over 50% not. Most of those polled in the south and east of Ukraine believed that the disarmament and disbandment of illegal radical groups is crucial to preserving national unity. 19.1% of those polled in the south and east of Ukraine believed that Ukraine should be an independent state; 45.2% were for an independent state but with decentralization of the power to the regions, but most felt Russia and Ukraine should share open borders without visa restrictions; 8.4% were in favour of Ukraine and Russia uniting into a single state. 15.4% said they favoured secession of their region to join the Russian Federation, and 24.8% favoured Ukraine becoming a federation. Most of those polled said they found nothing attractive about Russia, but those who did did so for economic, and not cultural reasons. Those polled in southern and eastern Ukraine were generally split on the legitimacy of the present government and parliament, but a majority in all regions agreed that deposed president Viktor Yanukovych was not the legal president of the country. In all regions but the Donbas, pro-Euromaidan oligarch Petro Poroshenko dominated preliminary election polls. thumb|upright=0.8|Anti-Maidan in Kyiv, 14 December 2013 A comprehensive poll released on 8 May by the Pew Research Centre surveyed opinions in Ukraine on the subject of the unrest.http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/05/Pew-Global-Attitudes-Ukraine-Russia-Report-FINAL-May-8-2014.pdf Despite Concerns about Governance, Ukrainians Want to Remain One Country Pew Research Centre 8 May 2014 8 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140509001422/http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/05/Pew-Global-Attitudes-Ukraine-Russia-Report-FINAL-May-8-2014.pdf 9 May 2014 dead The poll was taken after the annexation of Crimea, but prior to the clashes in Odesa on 2 May. 93% of Westerners and 70% of Easterners polled said that they wanted Ukraine to remain united. Despite international criticism of the 16 March referendum on Crimean status, 91% of the Crimeans polled thought that the vote was free and fair, and 88% said that the Ukrainian government should accept the results. Anti-Maidan Anti-Maidan Titushky During the Euromaidan Revolution, there were widespread reports that pro-Yanukovych and pro-Russian anti-Maidan protesters were paid for their support.http://zp.comments.ua/news/2013/12/03/163349.html uk:Титушкой" можно стать за 200 гривен Zp.comments.ua 4 December 2013 uk 14 May 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190514023211/https://zp.comments.ua/news/2013/12/03/163349.html deadhttp://www.interpretermag.com/maidan-2-0-a-protest-with-reservations/ Maidan 2.0: A Protest With Reservations The Interpreter 25 November 2013 1 December 2013 13 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200813150215/https://www.interpretermag.com/maidan-2-0-a-protest-with-reservations/ deadhttp://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/regions-rally-333539.html Pro-government protesters: 'We will stay here until EuroMaidan leaves' Kyiv Post 12 December 2013 15 December 2013 26 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200626132434/https://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/regions-rally-333539.html/ livehttp://gazeta.ua/articles/life/_kozhnogo-privezenogo-na-stolichnij-antimajdan-oshukali-na-500-grn/531990 ru:Кожного привезеного на столичний "антимайдан" ошукали на 500 грн Gazeta 14 December 2013 15 December 2013 ru 13 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200813143109/https://gazeta.ua/articles/life/_kozhnogo-privezenogo-na-stolichnij-antimajdan-oshukali-na-500-grn/531990 live Oleksiy Haran, a political scientist at Kyiv Mohyla Academy in Kyiv, stated that people at anti-Maidan are only interested in money. The government uses these hirelings to provoke resistance. They won't be sacrificing anything."https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/16/ukraine-government-protests/5435315/ Protesters: Ukraine paying for pro-government rallies USA Today 16 February 2014 Rudenko Olga 13 August 2020 23 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20200813143223/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/16/ukraine-government-protests/5435315/ live Russian leader of the extremist Eurasian Youth Union Oleg Bakhtiyarov was arrested for, in part, recruiting rioters for US$500 each to assist in the storming of government buildings. On 13 April, the Internal Affairs Ministry stated that recruiters were found to be paying $500 to take part in the attacks and 500 UAH (roughly $40) to occupy buildings.http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/13/7022256/ Сепаратистам платять 500 доларів за штурм – джерело; Українська правда The separatists are paid $500 for the assault – the source; Ukrainian truth and Ukrainska Pravda 13 April 2014 28 April 2014 27 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201127134239/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/13/7022256/ live Reports of paid protesters were supported by Party of Regions member Volodymyr Landik"Landik accused in pogroms in Luhansk 'tourists of Putin' and former city government" https://web.archive.org/web/20140806052856/http://dt.ua/UKRAINE/landik-zvinuvativ-u-pogromah-u-lugansku-turistiv-putina-i-kolishnyu-vladu-mista-139304_.html 6 August 2014 . Mirror Weekly. 10 March 2014 and the First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema."Separatism in Ukraine is financed by Yanukovych – Yarema" https://web.archive.org/web/20140407035428/http://news.liga.net/news/politics/1243567-separatizm_v_ukraine_finansiruet_yanukovich_yarema.htm 7 April 2014 . Liga News. 4 April 2014November 2014 Media portrayal Media portrayal of the Russo-Ukrainian War Russian and Ukrainian sources differed greatly in the way they portrayed the pro-Russian demonstrators.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/world/europe/in-ukraine-russia-plays-a-weighted-word-game.html In Ukraine, Russia Plays a Weighted Word Game The New York Times 16 April 2014 2 May 2014 1 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190301155654/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/world/europe/in-ukraine-russia-plays-a-weighted-word-game.html?_r=0 live Militants who took over government buildings in the Donetsk Oblast were consistently labeled as "separatists" and "terrorists" by the Ukrainian government and the Western media, whilst Russian media and officials referred to the protesters as "supporters of federalization". Russian media and the militants themselves referred to the Ukrainian transitional government in Kyiv as "nationalist" and as "fascist".https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303678404579536792135231508?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303678404579536792135231508.html Ukraine Launches Offensive to Regain Slovyansk The Wall Street Journal 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 20 March 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170320155726/https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303678404579536792135231508?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303678404579536792135231508.html live https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/efforts-to-register-jews-in-ukraine-are-denounced-and-denied.html Demands That Jews Register in Eastern Ukraine Are Denounced, and Denied The New York Times 17 April 2014 2 May 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221934/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/efforts-to-register-jews-in-ukraine-are-denounced-and-denied.html live Russian news broadcasts also featured claims of foreign involvement on the side of the Ukrainian government.Binder Eva Odessa 2014: Alternative News and Atrocity Narratives on Russian TV 31 December 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783839446508-011 185–210 6 August 2023 transcript Verlag Kaltseis Magdalena 10.1515/9783839446508-011 9783839446508 In Priamoi ėfir of 5 May, invited experts repeatedly claimed involvement by the United States... Furthermore, alleged outside intervention was implied when Ukraine was referred to as a "hostage" (zalozhnitsa) in the Politika issue of 14 May, or when it was claimed that Ukraine had been supported by foreign specialists in Priamoi ėfir of 5 May. subscription free In the Ukrainian media, the derogatory term "Colorado beetle"uk колорадський жук koloradsʹkyy zhuk was used for the pro-Russian demonstrators and militants, in reference to the Ribbon of St. George they wore.https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-colorado-beetle-separatists/25365793.html What's Orange And Black And Bugging Ukraine? Voice of America 28 April 2014 3 May 2014 17 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140517181115/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-colorado-beetle-separatists/25365793.html live Starting in the Russian media, the wave of unrest came to be referred to in Russia and Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine as the "Russian Spring", a reference to both the Prague Spring of 1968 and the Arab Spring of 2010–2011.Pomerantsev Peter 7 August 2019 The Counteroffensive Against Conspiracy Theories Has Begun https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/08/evolution-protests-conspiracy-theories-disinformation/595639/ 26 June 2020 5 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211005043055/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/08/evolution-protests-conspiracy-theories-disinformation/595639/ live Remembering Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/remembering-ukraines-revolution-of-dignity/ 26 June 2020 openDemocracy 17 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220317065633/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/remembering-ukraines-revolution-of-dignity/ live Kuzio Taras Putin's war against Ukraine : revolution, nationalism, and crime 2017 CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 978-1-5432-8586-4 North Charleston, South Carolina 90 982267595http://rian.com.ua/analytics/20140303/340429692.html ru:"Русская весна" на Юго-Востоке Украины IMF promises to present a program for Ukraine no later than the beginning of May Russian News and Information Agency 3 March 2014 10 April 2014 ru 8 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140608041242/http://rian.com.ua/analytics/20140303/340429692.html live Timeline Timeline of the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine Unrest by region Crimea Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation thumb|Russian "little green men" during the seizure of Perevalne military base, 9 March 2014 Following the removal of Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February 2014, various protests and counter-protests were held in Crimea, including by anti-Maidan Russian nationalists who sought the peninsula's annexation by Russia and by Crimean Tatars who supported Ukrainian unity.https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf Lessons from Russia's Operations in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine Kofman Michael Migacheva Katya RAND Corporation Santa Monica 21 Nichiporuk Brian Radin Andrew Tkacheva Olesya Oberholtzer Jenny 2017 17 February 2022 28 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217091710/http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1400/RR1498/RAND_RR1498.pdf live26 February 2014 Russia puts military on high alert as Crimea protests leave one man dead http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/ukraine-new-leader-disbands-riot-police-crimea-separatism 14 March 2022 The Guardian en 27 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227000327/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/ukraine-new-leader-disbands-riot-police-crimea-separatism live Beginning on 26 February, unidentified militants,"Putin's crisis spreads https://web.archive.org/web/20220223210625/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/putins-crisis-spreads 23 February 2022 "http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/warning-shots-end-osce-crimea-entry-bid-20143815135639790.html Warning shots end OSCE Crimea entry bid – Europe Al Jazeera 11 March 2014 11 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140311091540/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/warning-shots-end-osce-crimea-entry-bid-20143815135639790.html live https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600 Ukraine crisis: Russia vows troops will stay BBC 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303092734/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600 live Jones Sam https://www.ft.com/content/a701f3e8-a527-11e3-8988-00144feab7de US scorns Russia's version of Crimean intervention Financial Times 21 February 2014 6 October 2025 28 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251028200647/https://www.ft.com/content/a701f3e8-a527-11e3-8988-00144feab7de live https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-osce-idUSBREA2B1C120140312 OSCE team say Crimea roadblock gunmen threatened to shoot at them Reuters 14 March 2014 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305172350/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-osce-idUSBREA2B1C120140312 live https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/world/europe/crimea-ukraine.html Gunmen Seize Government Buildings in Crimea The New York Times 27 February 2014 1 March 2014 Masked men with guns seized government buildings in the capital of Ukraine's Crimea region on Thursday, barricading themselves inside and raising the Russian flag after mysterious overnight raids that appeared to be the work of militant Russian nationalists who want this volatile Black Sea region ruled from Moscow. 28 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140228203724/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/world/europe/crimea-ukraine.html livehttps://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140228 https://web.archive.org/web/20140228160327/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140228 28 February 2014 Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Yanukovich reappears Reuters dead 1 March 2014Kelly Lidia Polityuk Pavel de Carbonnel Alissa Heritage Timothy Grey Stephen Graff Peter Kushch Lina Apps Peter 1 March 2014 Putin ready to invade Ukraine; Kiev warns of war Reuters Moscow/Kyiv Lyon Alistair https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis/putin-ready-to-invade-ukraine-kiev-warns-of-war-idUSBREA1Q1E820140301 1 March 2022 26 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222906/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis/putin-ready-to-invade-ukraine-kiev-warns-of-war-idUSBREA1Q1E820140301 livehttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/28/Telecom-services-sabotaged-in-Ukraines-Crimea-region/7611393621345/ Telecom services sabotaged in Ukraine's Crimea region United Press International 28 February 2014 28 February 2014 1 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140301033634/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/28/Telecom-services-sabotaged-in-Ukraines-Crimea-region/7611393621345/ live subsequently confirmed to be Russian troops by Vladimir Putin,https://nationalpost.com/news/world/vladimir-putin-admits-for-first-time-russian-troops-took-over-crimea-refuses-to-rule-out-intervention-in-donetsk Vladimir Putin admits for first time Russian troops took over Crimea, refuses to rule out intervention in Donetsk Yuras Karmanau Vladimir Isachenkov 17 April 2014 National Post Associated Press 10 May 2014 began to gradually take control of the Crimean Peninsula. During this time, the question of joining the Russian Federation was put to a referendum, which had an official turnout of 83 per cent and resulted in a 96% affirmative voteCrimea Applies to Join Russia https://web.archive.org/web/20140316210235/http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum-to-join-russia/1872380.html 16 March 2014 . Voice of America. Retrieved 1 May 2014. but has been condemned by European Union, American, Ukrainian, and Crimean Tatar officials and by the United Nations General Assembly as a violation of the Ukrainian constitution and international law.BBC News – Ukraine crisis: Russia isolated in UN Crimea vote https://web.archive.org/web/20140315173752/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26595776 15 March 2014 . BBC.com (15 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014.http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/voter_turnout_at_pseudo_referendum_in_crimea_was_maximum_30_40_percent___mejlis_318657 Voter turnout at pseudo-referendum in Crimea was maximum 30-40 percent - Mejlis ukrinform.ua 17 March 2014 2 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150626234753/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/voter_turnout_at_pseudo_referendum_in_crimea_was_maximum_30_40_percent___mejlis_318657 26 June 2015 dead On 17 March, the Crimean Parliament declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation.BBC News – Crimean parliament formally applies to join Russia https://web.archive.org/web/20200405143454/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26609667 5 April 2020 . BBC.com (17 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 18 March, Russia and Crimea signed a treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian Federation.Excerpts from Putin's speech on Crimea – Yahoo News https://web.archive.org/web/20220302000703/https://news.yahoo.com/excerpts-putins-speech-crimea-170614514.html 2 March 2022 . Yahoo!!!!!! News.com (18 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014.BBC News – Crimea crisis: Russian President Putin's speech annotated https://web.archive.org/web/20220326074820/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26652058 26 March 2022 . BBC.com (19 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 21 March, the accession treaty was ratified, and the establishment of two new constituent entities in the Russian Federation was marked by a 30-gun salute under an executive order of the Russian President."Executive Order on holding a celebratory gun salute in Moscow, Simferopol and Sevastopol" which was reported as "To celebrate the establishment of two new constituent entities in the Russian Federation – the Republic of Crimea and city of federal importance Sevastopol – the President ordered that a gun salute of 30 rounds will take place in Moscow, the Russian Federation's capital, and in Simferopol and Sevastopol on March 21, 2014 at 22.00.", Source: President of Russia official website (kremlin.ru) The U.N. General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution by 100 to 11 votes declaring that the referendum was invalid and that the incorporation of Crimea into Russia was illegal.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA2Q1GA20140327 U.N. General Assembly declares Crimea secession vote invalid Reuters 27 March 2014 30 March 2014 Charbboneau, Louis 1 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151001105549/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA2Q1GA20140327 live http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/725802 ITAR-TASS: Russia – Lavrov: West 'twisted arms' of 50 countries to get support for Ukraine resolution in UN Information Telegraph Agency of Russia 3 May 2014 8 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141108233408/http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/725802 live Around 3,000 people had fled Crimea by 1 April, and 80% of them were Crimean Tatars.http://www.osce.org/odihr/118476?download=true Human Rights Assessment Mission in Ukraine: Human Rights and Minority Rights Situation Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 9 May 2014 13 May 2014 21 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220221180656/http://www.osce.org/odihr/118476?download=true live Teams from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) assisted internally displaced persons who had resettled from Crimea in western Ukraine in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and the Chernivtsi Oblast. The number of refugees, primarily Crimean Tatars, continued to rise, and by 20 May the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that about 10,000 people had been displaced.http://www.unhcr.org/537b24536.html UNHCR says internal displacement affects some 10,000 people in Ukraine Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 20 May 2014 23 May 2014 28 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210928212654/https://www.unhcr.org/537b24536.html live Donetsk Oblast thumb|Pro-Russian protest in Donetsk, 6 April 2014. Pictured are flags of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Empire, and the Eurasian Youth Union. Donetsk People's Republic Pro-Russian protesters occupied the Donetsk regional state administration (RSA) building from 1 to 6 March, before being removed by the Security Service of Ukraine.http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukrainian-city-of-donetsk-epitomizes-countrys-crisis/ Ukrainian city of Donetsk epitomizes country's crisis CBS News 6 March 2014 7 March 2014 19 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140319222440/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukrainian-city-of-donetsk-epitomizes-countrys-crisis/ livehttp://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c427c7dc-a558-11e3-8070-00144feab7de.html Oligarch tries to stamp Kiev authority on restive east Financial Times 6 March 2014 7 March 2014 https://archive.today/20150507174950/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c427c7dc-a558-11e3-8070-00144feab7de.html%23axzz3ZTaMRhN9 7 May 2015 thumb|Pro-Russian protesters in Donetsk, 8 March 2014 The 13th of March was marked by violent clashes between pro-Maidan and anti-Maidan protesters in Donetsk. A large group of anti-Maidan protesters broke through a police cordon and began to attack a smaller pro-Maidan demonstration. In interviews with OSCE monitors, bystanders described how a group of around thirty pro-Maidan protesters "were forced to seek shelter in a police bus that was surrounded by attackers." The windows of the bus "were smashed, and irritant gas was dispersed inside, forcing the group to exit the bus, where they were then subjected to beatings and verbal abuse." A pro-Ukrainian protester was stabbed to death during the violence.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-idUSBREA2C20Z20140313 One dead in Ukraine clash in eastern city Reuters 13 March 2014 14 March 2014 4 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220404015145/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-idUSBREA2C20Z20140313 livehttp://www.euronews.com/2014/03/05/ukraine-donetsk-government-building-recaptured/ Ukraine: Donetsk government building recaptured Euronews 5 March 2014 10 April 2014 14 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140314170604/http://euronews.com/2014/03/05/ukraine-donetsk-government-building-recaptured deadhttp://www.euronews.com/2014/03/07/ukraine-police-on-alert-as-violence-erupts-at-pro-russia-demo/ Ukraine police on alert as violence erupts at pro-Russia demo Euronews 7 March 2014 10 April 2014 13 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140313023131/http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/07/ukraine-police-on-alert-as-violence-erupts-at-pro-russia-demo/ dead A report by the OSCE said that "police forces" failed "to take adequate measures to protect the pro-Maidan assembly" and "could be observed treating the anti-Maidan protesters in a favourable manner." After this day of violence, interviewees told the OSCE that residents of Donetsk had decided not to organize more peaceful pro-Maidan demonstrations, "out of fear for their safety." On Sunday, 6 April, pro-Russian protesters held a rally in Donetsk pushing for a referendum on independence.6 April 2014 Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 18 November 2020 20 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190820040710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 live A group of 1,000 protestors broke away from the crowd and stormed the RSA building, with the police offering little resistance.How 'eastern Ukraine' was lost https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/how-eastern-ukraine-was-lost/ 12 March 2022 openDemocracy en 30 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220330113819/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/how-eastern-ukraine-was-lost/ live They then occupied the building and raised the Russian flag over it while the people outside chanted, "Russia, Russia". 100 people proceeded to barricade themselves in the building. The separatists declared that if officials refused to hold an extraordinary session, announcing a referendum to join Russia, they would declare unilateral control by forming a "People's Mandate" at noon on 7 April, and dismiss all elected council members and MPs.http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/ ru:Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях ru novosti.dn.ua 6 April 2014 6 April 2014 7 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083141/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/ livehttp://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/ uk:Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ uk Ukrainska Pravda 6 April 2014 6 April 2014 24 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210224223904/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/ livehttp://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ ru:Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ ru novosti.dn.ua 6 April 2014 6 April 2014 7 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083422/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ live The people who voted within the RSA were not elected to the positions they assumed.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928 Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic' BBC News 7 April 2014 4 May 2014 28 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140428233001/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928 live According to the Information Telegraph Agency of Russia, the declaration was voted on by some regional legislators, however other reports say that neither the Donetsk city administration nor local district councils in city neighbourhoods delegated any representatives to the session.http://ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah The Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful actions NGO.Donetsk 7 April 2014 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20140408224544/http://www.ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah 8 April 2014Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement https://web.archive.org/web/20140408212832/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199512.html 8 April 2014 , Interfax-Ukraine (7 April 2014) According to the Ukrainian government, the seizure of RSA buildings by pro-Russian forces was part of "a script" that was "written in the Russian Federation" to destabilize Ukraine, carried out by "about 1,500 radicals in each region who spoke with clear Russian accents".https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-storm-idUSBREA350B420140407 Protests in eastern Ukraine aimed at bringing in Russian troops, warns PM Reuters 7 April 2014 7 April 2014 7 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407122604/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/07/us-ukraine-crisis-storm-idUSBREA350B420140407 live On 6 April, the leaders of the separatist group Donetsk Republic announced that a referendum on whether Donetsk Oblast should "join the Russian Federation" would take place "no later than May 11."http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779 Regional legislators proclaim industrial centre Donetsk People's Republic Information Telegraph Agency of Russia 7 April 2014 7 April 2014 8 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213918/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779 live Additionally, the group's leaders have appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region.In East Ukraine, Protesters Seek Russian Troops https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/08/world/europe/russia-crimea-ukraine-unrest.html 15 March 2022 The New York Times 7 April 2014 15 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220315200443/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/08/world/europe/russia-crimea-ukraine-unrest.html live The group has been banned in Ukraine since 2007. The group's leader, Andrei Purgin, had been arrested weeks prior on charges of separatism.https://archive.today/20140329134526/http://espreso.tv/new/2014/03/19/sbu_zatrymala_lidera_doneckoyi_respubliky SBU detained the leader of Donetsk Republic. Espreso. 19 March 2014 The political leader of the state was the self-declared People's Governor Pavel Gubarev,http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ "Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union Ukrainska Pravda 8 April 2014 require the release of its leader Paul Gubarev and other detained separatists; 11 April 2014 10 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140411230336/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ live a former member of the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine,http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140309/pro-russian-gubarev-symbol-east-ukraine-separatism Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism GlobalPost 10 March 2014 10 March 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140311065542/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140309/pro-russian-gubarev-symbol-east-ukraine-separatism 11 March 2014 who was also under arrest on charges of separatism.https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/crimean-referendum-was-electoral-farce Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea Snyder Timothy Timothy D. Snyder The New Republic 17 March 2014 In Donetsk Gubarov was known as a neo-Nazi and as a member of the fascist organization Russian National Unity. 4 March 2017 17 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140317211808/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117048/crimean-referendum-was-electoral-farce livehttps://iwpr.net/global-voices/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers Far-Right Recruited as Crimea Poll Observers Coynash Halya Institute for War and Peace Reporting 18 March 2014 Pavel Gubarev, a former member of the neo-Nazi, Russian chauvinist Russian National Unity movement 2 July 2015 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113132/https://iwpr.net/global-voices/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers live In response to these actions, acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov vowed to launch a major counter-terrorism operation against separatist movements in the country's eastern regions.Pro-Russian Group in Donetsk declare independence from Ukraine http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/pro-russian-group-in-donetsk-declare-independence-from-ukraine/ Indo-Asian News Service news.biharprabha.com 7 April 2014 9 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140409003902/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/pro-russian-group-in-donetsk-declare-independence-from-ukraine/ live Later that day, the SBU office in Donetsk was retaken by SBU Alpha Group.http://www.unian.net/politics/905156-v-donetske-v-rezultate-spetsoperatsii-osvobojdeno-zdanie-sbu.html ru:В Донецке в результате спецоперации освобождено здание СБУ ru Ukrainian Independent Information Agency 7 April 2014 8 April 2014 10 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140408094221/http://www.unian.net/politics/905156-v-donetske-v-rezultate-spetsoperatsii-osvobojdeno-zdanie-sbu.html livehttp://www.ukrinform.ua/ukr/news/sbu_v_donetsku_zvilneno_vid_separatistiv___syumar_1926482 uk:Спецназ вигнав сепаратистів з будівлі СБУ в Донецьку – Сюмар uk Ukrinform 7 April 2014 10 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140409190302/http://www.ukrinform.ua/ukr/news/sbu_v_donetsku_zvilneno_vid_separatistiv___syumar_1926482 9 April 2014 dead The Ukrainian special forces unit led by the Ukrainian vice prime minister for law enforcement, Vitaliy Yarema, that was supposed to restore control over the Donetsk RSA building, however, refused to storm it and remove the separatists. Turchynov offered amnesty to the separatists if they laid down their arms and surrendered, and also offered concessions that included devolution of power to regions, and the protection of the Russian language in law.https://www.voanews.com/a/prorussian-separatists-face-friday-deadline-in-eastern-ukraine/1891069.html Ukraine's PM Offers Concessions to Separatists in Donetsk Voice of America 11 April 2014 12 April 2014 20 March 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170320161235/http://www.voanews.com/a/prorussian-separatists-face-friday-deadline-in-eastern-ukraine/1891069.html live http://novosti.dn.ua/details/222329/ Новости Донбасса :: Турчинов готов освободить сепаратистов без криминала, если они сложат оружие Donbas News :: Turchynov ready to release separatists without crime if they lay down their arms Novosti.dn.ua 9 March 2014 28 April 2014 10 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160310175646/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/222329 live Many in Donetsk expressed disapproval toward the actions of the separatists.https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/donetsk-republic-ukraines-building-autonomy-23291058 https://web.archive.org/web/20140412062822/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/donetsk-republic-ukraines-building-autonomy-23291058 12 April 2014 Donetsk Republic: Ukraine's One-Building Autonomy ABC News 11 April 2014 12 April 2014 Government building seizures Siege of Sloviansk Battle of Kramatorsk thumb|right|Sloviansk city council under control of masked men armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles and RPG-26 rocket launchers As political scientist Taras Kuzio writes, "Russia transformed protestors in the Donbas into armed insurgents; this was never an organic process."Kuzio Taras https://books.google.com/books?id=IpBtzwEACAAJ Fascism and Genocide: Russia's War Against Ukrainians Jajecznyk-Kelman Stefan 2023 COLUMBIA University Press 978-3-8382-1791-8 11 en On 12 April, a group of masked militants, formed in Crimea and led by former officer of Russian security services Igor Girkin,ru:Командующий самообороной Славянска Игорь Стрелков: Задержанные наблюдатели – кадровые разведчики http://www.kp.ru/daily/26225.7/3107725/ 26 August 2014 Комсомольская правда 26 April 2014 ru 15 September 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140915180216/http://www.kp.ru/daily/26225.7/3107725/ live captured the executive committee building, the police department, and SBU office in Sloviansk, a city in the northern part of the Donetsk Oblast.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/armed-pro-russian-extremists-seize-police-stations-in-donetsks-slavyansk-shaktarysk-fail-to-take-donetsk-prosecutors-office-343195.html Armed pro-Russian extremists launch coordinated attacks in Donetsk Oblast, seize buildings and set up checkpoints Kyiv Post 12 April 2014 Rachkevych Mark 12 April 2014 12 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140412220946/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/armed-pro-russian-extremists-seize-police-stations-in-donetsks-slavyansk-shaktarysk-fail-to-take-donetsk-prosecutors-office-343195.html live Ukrainian Internal Affairs Minister Arsen Avakov labelled the gunmen "terrorists" and swore to use the Ukrainian special forces to retake the building.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-police-idUSBREA3B04O20140412 Armed men seize police department in east Ukraine: minister Reuters 12 April 2014 12 April 2014 4 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220404015147/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-police-idUSBREA3B04O20140412 live https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27000700 Gunmen seize Ukraine police station in Sloviansk BBC News 12 April 2014 12 April 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302124759/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27000700 live Seizures of police stations and other government buildings by armed separatist groups also occurred in other cities in Donetsk Oblast, including Donetsk City proper, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, Horlivka, Mariupol, and Yenakiieve.14 April 2014 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine http://www.osce.org/ukrainemonitoring/117777 https://web.archive.org/web/20140419044139/http://www.osce.org/ukrainemonitoring/117777 19 April 2014 16 April 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europehttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27011605 Ukraine to fight pro-Russia forces BBC News 13 April 2014 13 April 2014 21 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220321133849/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27011605 live https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27018199 Pro-Russian attack in Ukraine's Horlivka BBC News 14 April 2014 14 April 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302165539/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27018199 live Ukrainian transitional president Oleksandr Turchynov launched a full-scale 'anti-terror' military operation to reclaim the buildings. Vitaly Yarema said that Russian Special Forces units, including the 45th Parachute Guards Regiment usually stationed near Moscow, were operating on Ukrainian territory in the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. On 16 April, the number of Russian special forces troops was said to be 450.http://concorde.ua/en/research/daily/russian-forces-operating-in-two-cities-ukraine-minister-says-12371/ Russian forces operating in two Donetsk cities, Ukraine minister says :: Daily News :: Research :: Concorde Capital. IPO, M&A, research, sales and trading. IPO в Украине Concorde.ua 28 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140417014044/http://concorde.ua/en/research/daily/russian-forces-operating-in-two-cities-ukraine-minister-says-12371/ 17 April 2014 deadhttp://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114871,15808518,Ukraina__Zidentyfikowano_ludzi__ktorzy_pojawili_sie.html Ukraina: Zidentyfikowano ludzi, którzy pojawili się w Słowiańsku i Kramatorsku. To żołnierze rosyjscy pl Wiadomosci.gazeta.pl 16 April 2014 28 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140421085314/http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114871,15808518,Ukraina__Zidentyfikowano_ludzi__ktorzy_pojawili_sie.html 21 April 2014 dead thumb|Separatists block Ukrainian military near Sloviansk, April 2014 By 16 April, the 'anti-terror' operation being conducted by the Ukrainian government in Donetsk Oblast had hit some stumbling blocks.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27053500 Ukraine crisis: Military column 'seized' in Kramatorsk BBC News 16 April 2014 16 April 2014 28 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140428153559/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27053500 live Protesters seized Ukrainian armoured vehicles in Kramatorsk, and sent soldiers away in Sloviansk. During the night of 16 April, about 300 pro-Russian protesters attacked a Ukrainian military unit in Mariupol, throwing petrol bombs.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27065782 Putin cautious on 'right' to send troops into Ukraine BBC News 17 April 2014 17 April 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302001948/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27065782 live Internal Affairs Minister Arsen Avakov said that troops were forced to open fire, resulting in the killing of three of the attackers. The Geneva Statement of 17 April did not result in the end of the government building occupations in Donetsk Oblast. Two pro-Russian groups in Mariupol said that they 'felt betrayed' by the action taken in Geneva. A truce declared for Easter Sunday was broken by an attack upon a separatist checkpoint in Sloviansk, further inflaming tensions.http://news.sky.com/story/1245880/ukraine-five-killed-at-separatist-checkpoint Ukraine: 'Five Killed At Separatist Checkpoint' Sky News 20 April 2014 21 April 2014 20 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140420105958/http://news.sky.com/story/1245880/ukraine-five-killed-at-separatist-checkpoint live The situation remained tense on 23 April, with the occupation of government buildings ongoing throughout the region. OSCE monitors observed that the city administration building, SBU building, and police station in Sloviansk remained heavily fortified by armed groups of men with masks and automatic weapons. The city remained quiet, with no protests occurring. However, the monitors believed that the city remained under heavy surveillance, not only by people in uniforms and masks, but also by many figures in civilian clothing. One resident said that people in Sloviansk were afraid to discuss their opinions of the occupiers. thumb|Barricade in Sloviansk, 23 April 2014 On 24 April, Ukrainian forces made a series of 'probing attacks' into Sloviansk against the insurgents. The self-proclaimed separatist mayor of the city, Vyacheslav Ponomarev, declared in response that 'We will make Stalingrad out of this town.'http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/world-news/barricaded-city-a-tough-target-for-ukraine-forces.24054726 Barricaded city a tough target for Ukraine forces The Herald 25 April 2014 25 April 2014 4 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013959/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13157298.barricaded-city-tough-target-ukraine-forces/ live The Ukrainian government then stated on 25 April that it would 'fully blockade the city of Sloviansk,' and continue with the 'anti-terror' operation.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/as-ukraine-continues-its-anti-terrorist-operation-american-leaders-consider-providing-lethal-aid-prepare-additional-sanctions-on-russia-345156.html As Ukraine continues its anti-terrorist operation, American leaders consider providing lethal aid, prepare additional sanctions on Russia Kyiv Post 25 April 2014 25 April 2014 10 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150510072456/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/as-ukraine-continues-its-anti-terrorist-operation-american-leaders-consider-providing-lethal-aid-prepare-additional-sanctions-on-russia-345156.html live Amid the increasing tensions, separatists in Sloviansk detained seven international monitors on an OSCE military verification mission in Ukraine, who had been traveling into the city on a bus, along with the bus driver and five accompanying Ukrainian soldiers.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27162941 Ukraine crisis: 'International monitors seized' in Sloviansk BBC News 25 April 2014 25 April 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302003521/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27162941 live The journalists were being held at the occupied SBU building. Access to the city remained unrestricted despite the supposed Ukrainian army blockade, with separatist barricades guarded by fewer people than on previous days. Local residents said that the separatist administration in Sloviansk provided no administrative services to citizens. Leaflets released by the Donetsk People's Republic were distributed on 26 April, notifying citizens of a referendum on the question of whether or not they supported the proclamation of "state sovereignty" by the Republic to be held on 11 May. In the morning on the next day, two members of the OSCE special monitoring mission were held by a group of unarmed men from the Donbas People's Militia in Yenakiieve. They were taken to the occupied city hall, questioned, and then released after a letter sent by the mission's office in Kyiv confirmed the credentials of the monitors. A large pro-government rally in Donetsk city marched in protest against the violence in Donetsk Oblast and the attempted assassination of Kharkiv mayor Hennadiy Kernes on 28 April.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/world/europe/one-city-falls-to-pro-russian-militants-in-another-the-mayor-is-shot.html One City Falls to Pro-Russian Militants; in Another, the Mayor Is Shot The New York Times 28 April 2014 29 April 2014https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/14-people-wounded-in-clashes-in-donetsk-345491.html 14 people wounded in clashes in Donetsk Kyiv Post 28 April 2014 29 April 2014 10 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150510065106/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/14-people-wounded-in-clashes-in-donetsk-345491.html live The rally was swiftly and violently broken up by separatists armed with baseball bats, iron rods, firecrackers, and shields. Second counter-offensive Battle of Mariupol (2014) thumb|The barricade outside Donetsk RSA featuring anti-western slogans some of which read (in Russian): «Shame on Ukrainian churnalists, boycott Ukrainian media!» (ru Позор украинским журналюгам, бойкот украинским сми!) «Federation is not separatism!» A new counteroffensive by government forces on Sloviansk during the early morning of 2 May resulted in the downing of two government helicopters and casualties on both sides.http://www.dw.com/en/live-updates-on-ukraines-spreading-unrest/a-17606477 +Live updates on Ukraine's spreading unrest+ | DW.DE | 02.05.2014 Deutsche Welle 3 May 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221944/https://www.dw.com/en/live-updates-on-ukraines-spreading-unrest/a-17606477 live As a result, Ukrainian forces gained control of all separatist checkpoints and of half the city. President Oleksandr Turchynov said that "many insurgents" were "dead, wounded and arrested."https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27259614 'Many dead' in Ukraine offensive BBC News 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 20 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320130835/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27259614 live http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/fighting-resumes-in-slovyansk-ukrainian-pilot-killed-live-updates-345925.html Two Ukrainian soldiers, one insurgent killed in Sloviansk fighting; one protester killed in Odessa Kyiv Post 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 20 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150920022059/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/fighting-resumes-in-slovyansk-ukrainian-pilot-killed-live-updates-345925.html live In the early morning on the next day, the counteroffensive then targeted to Kramatorsk and Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast uk Андріївка (село, Волноваський район).https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27265927 Abducted OSCE observers freed BBC News 3 May 2014 3 May 2014 30 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191230043417/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27265927 live Serious fighting resulted in the recapture of the occupied buildings in Kramatorsk by government forces, and at least ten separatists were said to have been killed in Andriivka. All of the international military monitors who had been held in Sloviansk were released by Vyacheslav Ponomaryov on 3 May.http://www.osce.org/cio/118266 After release of abducted inspectors and Ukrainian hosts, Swiss CiO calls for enhancing cooperation and efforts towards political solution Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 3 May 2014 3 May 2014 Bern 27 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220227083628/https://www.osce.org/cio/118266 live On the same day, protesters in the city of Donetsk stormed and occupied the chairman of the regional government's private business office and the SBU building, smashing windows and ransacking files as an act of revenge for the clashes in Odesa.http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-at-least-42-killed-in-odesa-violence-1.2630813 At least 42 killed in Odesa violence CBC News 3 May 2014 4 May 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302000705/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-at-least-42-killed-in-odesa-violence-1.2630813 live Kramatorsk was reoccupied by militants on 4 May, and Sloviansk saw renewed fighting on 5 May, resulting in the deaths of four Ukrainian soldiers.http://www.unian.net/politics/914397-ukrainskie-voyska-vyishli-iz-kramatorska-smi.html Ukrainian troops withdrew from Kramatorsk Ukrainian Independent Information Agency 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140505020512/http://www.unian.net/politics/914397-ukrainskie-voyska-vyishli-iz-kramatorska-smi.html live https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27280814 Ukraine soldiers killed in renewed Sloviansk fighting BBC News 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 30 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191230050602/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27280814 live Fierce fighting took place in Mariupol starting 5 May.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27305245 Pro-Russians seize back Mariupol city hall BBC News 7 May 2014 7 May 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301223119/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27305245 live Posters plastered on the occupied city administration building read "OSCE get out" or "OSCE you cheat". As part of the counteroffensive, government forces recaptured the building on 7 May, but then left it, allowing the separatists to quickly re-occupy it. Occupied buildings in Donetsk had been heavily fortified by 6 May, and Donetsk International Airport was closed to all traffic.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118379 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine – based on information received up until 6 May 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 8 May 2014 8 May 2014 6 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150506190841/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118379 live The regional television broadcasting centre remained occupied by about thirty camouflaged insurgents with AK-47s. A BTR-70 was parked outside the building, along with barricades made of sandbags and tyres. A similar presence was observed at the RSA building. On 7 May, Russian president Vladimir Putin asked the separatists to delay the planned 11 May referendum on the status of Donetsk.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27314816 Russia's Putin 'backs 25 May election' BBC News 7 May 2014 8 May 2014 20 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211120225902/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27314816 live Denis Pushilin, the leader of the Donetsk People's Republic, refused.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27320806 Pro-Russia rebel vote to go ahead BBC News 8 May 2014 8 May 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302001946/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27320806 live In response, Ukrainian transitional prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk referred to Putin's words as "hot air" and vowed that the counter-offensive in Donetsk would continue. A large skirmish erupted in Mariupol on 9 May, when government troops launched an attack on a police station in the city, resulting in the killing of at least twenty people. These were described by the Ukrainian government as "militants" and "terrorists", though some local residents said that they were unarmed protestors.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10819874/Ukraine-crisis-over-20-killed-in-Mariupol-as-Putin-marks-victory-in-Crimea.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10819874/Ukraine-crisis-over-20-killed-in-Mariupol-as-Putin-marks-victory-in-Crimea.html 12 January 2022 subscription live 'Over 20 killed' in Mariupol as Putin marks victory in Crimea The Daily Telegraph 9 May 2014 9 May 2014At least 7 dead in southeastern Ukraine port city https://web.archive.org/web/20220221205735/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/601080/at-least-7-dead-in-southeastern-ukraine-port-city 21 February 2022 .http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/10/disputed-accounts-of-mariupol-violence-in-battle-for-southeast-ukraine/ Disputed accounts of Mariupol violence in 'battle for southeast Ukraine' Euronews.com 14 April 2014 13 May 2014 12 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214543/http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/10/disputed-accounts-of-mariupol-violence-in-battle-for-southeast-ukraine/ dead Referendum 2014 Donbas status referendums Federal State of Novorossiya The disputed referendum on the status of Donetsk Oblast was held on 11 May.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27360146 Ukraine rebels hold referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk BBC News 11 May 2014 11 May 2014 12 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211112125617/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27360146 live https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA400LI20140511 Rebels declare victory in East Ukraine vote on self-rule Reuters 11 May 2014 11 May 2014 22 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220222093442/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA400LI20140511 live According to representatives of the Donetsk People's Republic, 89% voted in favour of self-rule, and 10% voted against. Turnout was said to be 75%. OSCE monitors did not observe the referendum, as the situation in Donetsk after the skirmish in Mariupol was said to be "volatile", forcing them to restrict their operations in the region. After the results were announced, leader of the Republic Denis Pushilin said that "all Ukrainian military troops in the region would be considered occupying forces". In response to the perceived weakness of the Ukrainian army, some Ukrainians who opposed the insurgents formed the "Donbas Volunteer Battalion", modeled on the Ukrainian partisan groups that fought against both the German Reich and the Soviet Union during the Second World War.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/15/ukraine-civil-war-fears-mount-volunteer-units-kiev-russia Ukraine civil war fears mount as volunteer units take up arms The Guardian 15 May 2014 10 December 2016 1 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140701155906/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/15/ukraine-civil-war-fears-mount-volunteer-units-kiev-russia live thumb|Insurgent emplacement in Donetsk, also showing a road sign that points to major conflict areas: Sloviansk and Mariupol. Steelworkers and security guards from Metinvest, along with local police, began joint patrols in the city of Mariupol on 15 May.http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-pro-russian-insurgents-retreat-from-buildings-in-mariupol-1.2644943 Pro-Russian insurgents retreat from buildings in Mariupol CBC News 16 May 2014 16 May 2014 21 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220221172025/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-pro-russian-insurgents-retreat-from-buildings-in-mariupol-1.2644943 live http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118608 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 14 May Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 14 May 2014 16 May 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221956/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118608 live These groups forced the insurgents out of the buildings that they had been occupying. A representative of Mariupol supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Kuzmenko, was party to a deal that led to this vacation of buildings by the insurgents,http://www.metinvestholding.com/ru/press/news/show/2923 Мариупольские металлурги, городская власть, общественность Мариуполя и лидер ДНР подписали Меморандум о порядке и безопасности Mariupol metallurgists, the city authorities, the public of Mariupol and the leader of the DPR signed a Memorandum on order and security metinvestholding.com 27 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140517151339/http://www.metinvestholding.com/ru/press/news/show/2923 17 May 2014 dead but a local commander of those insurgents who had been occupying the building said that "someone is trying to sow discord among us; someone has signed something, but we will continue our fight" and that "everyone ran away". Steelworkers could be seen removing barricades from the city centre and also cleaning up the burnt city administration building. By the morning of 16 May, Associated Press journalists could find no trace of the insurgents in Mariupol city centre. On 16 May, however, it seemed that separatists were not banished from the city, as reporters from The Washington Post said that about a hundred pro-Russian activists gathered on the steps of the city administration building and that the separatist flag continued to fly over it.Kunkle, Frederick (16 May 2014) Steelworkers help keep uneasy calm in eastern Ukraine https://web.archive.org/web/20210914100848/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/steelworkers-help-keep-uneasy-calm-in-eastern-ukraine/2014/05/16/eea805b6-d4b2-4f8a-96c4-75a8372b13fb_story.html 14 September 2021 The Washington Post Rinat Akhmetov, oligarch and owner of Metinvest, called for non-violent protests against the separatists in Donbas on 19 May.https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-akhmetov-calls-for-peaceful-protests-against-separatists-donbas/25391219.html In Ukraine, Akhmetov Calls Peaceful Protest Against Separatists Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 23 May 2014 23 May 2014 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093848/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-akhmetov-calls-for-peaceful-protests-against-separatists-donbas/25391219.html live In response to this call, cars gathered in front of the Donetsk RSA building and continually honked their horns. OSCE monitors said that some elderly people threw stones and water bottles at the cars as they passed by the RSA. Another group of thirty people outside the RSA chanted the slogan "Akhmetov is an enemy of the people" while holding banners that said "Akhmetov is a thief and is a supporter of fascism" and "Are you a slave to Akhmetov?" The confederal state of Novorossiya was proclaimed by Pavel Gubarev on 22 May, incorporating both the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic.http://ukrainianpolicy.com/welcome-to-new-russia/ Welcome to New Russia Ukrainian Policy 22 May 2014 26 May 2014 8 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140608053925/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/welcome-to-new-russia/ live "New Russia" (ru Novorossiya) hearkens back to a term used by the Russian Empire to refer to modern eastern and southern Ukraine. A few days later, on 26 May, a heated battle broke out between separatist insurgents that had been in control of Donetsk International Airport, and Ukrainian government forces.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/27/ukraine-rebel-30-dead-donetsk-airport-air-strikes Ukraine says it controls Donetsk airport after fighting leaves dozens dead The Guardian 27 May 2014 29 May 2014 30 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140530015519/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/27/ukraine-rebel-30-dead-donetsk-airport-air-strikes live Around fifty insurgents were killed in the fighting, which resulted in their losing control of the airport. Chechen paramilitaries, along with others from Russia, fought Ukrainian forces during the battle.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/ukraine.html Russians Revealed Among Ukraine Fighters The New York Times 27 May 2014 29 May 2014 21 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220221211237/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/ukraine.html live According to Artur Gasparian, a member of the insurgent unit that had been holding the airport, the majority of the separatists' losses were due to friendly fire.http://www.svoboda.org/content/article/25452387.html ru:ДНР – фикция. Решения принимают другие 2014 Artur Gasparian Радио Свобода Radio Svoboda ru 24 April 2016 10 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160424061041/http://www.svoboda.org/content/article/25452387.html livehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/15/separatist-fighter-russia-eastern-ukraine-interview I was a separatist fighter in Ukraine The Guardian 15 July 2014 15 July 2014 Mumin Shakirov Artur Gasparyan 15 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715170319/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/15/separatist-fighter-russia-eastern-ukraine-interview live Members of the Vostok battalion, the pro-Russian insurgent group that fought Ukrainian forces at the airport, took control over the Donetsk RSA building on 28 May and removed the leaders of the Donetsk People's Republic.http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d077cbfa-e75b-11e3-8b4e-00144feabdc0.html Paramilitaries seize Donetsk rebels' HQ Financial Times 29 May 2014 29 May 2014 4 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013947/https://www.ft.com/content/d077cbfa-e75b-11e3-8b4e-00144feabdc0 live Participants in the action said that it was an "emergency measure" to halt "a sharp rise in looting and crime, as well as disorder within leadership."September 2026 neither quote in article They were seen removing barricades and rubbish that was left by those previously in control of the building. Continued fighting War in Donbas (2014–2022) thumb|Vostok Battalion members dismantling the barricade at Donetsk RSA on 3 June. Fighting continued through the month of June. As part of Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko's fifteen-point peace plan, a frequently broken ceasefire spanned from 20 June until the 30th. A renewed government offensive after the ceasefire broke down resulted in heavy losses for the separatists, forcing them to withdraw from northern Donetsk Oblast, including many cities that had been under their control since April, such as Sloviansk, Druzhkivka, Kostyantynivka, and Kramatorsk.http://news.liga.net/articles/politics/2373601-posle_peremiriya_v_pervyy_den_ato_ubito_bolshe_400_boevikov.htm Первые сутки возобновления АТО: потери, пленные, новое оружие The first day of the resumption of the ATO: losses, prisoners, new weapons News.liga.net 7 January 2014 7 July 2014 22 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171022193337/http://news.liga.net/articles/politics/2373601-posle_peremiriya_v_pervyy_den_ato_ubito_bolshe_400_boevikov.htm live https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28177020 Donetsk rebels in mass withdrawal BBC News 5 July 2014 5 July 2014 5 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140705195859/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28177020 live Ukraine reclaims rebel strongholds https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/business-spectator/ukraine-reclaims-rebel-strongholds/news-story/814c23b067c7704675d10569e9dd85ba 7 July 2014 The Australian 13 March 2026 Heavy fighting continued in the following months until the signing of the Minsk Protocol in early September, which established a ceasefire.http://www.osce.org/cio/123245 Chairperson-in-Office welcomes Minsk agreement, assures President Poroshenko of OSCE support Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 5 September 2014 1 October 2014 Bern 26 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210126004717/https://www.osce.org/cio/123245 live Attacks on journalists Separatists of the Donetsk region undertook numerous attacks on press members. On 10 April, protesters outside the Donetsk RSA attacked Belarusian journalists for speaking the Belarusian language, and not Russian; Ukrainian journalists were forced to speak Russian to avoid angering pro-Russian protesters. According to Kyiv Post, they also attacked reporters from Russia Today, but RT did not carry the story.http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/10/7022013/ Донецькі сепаратисти нападають на білоруських та російських журналістів – ЗМІ; Українська правда Donetsk separatists attack Belarusian and Russian journalists - media; Ukrainian Pravda Ukrainska Pravda 9 April 2014 28 April 2014 6 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140506000323/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/10/7022013/ live Days later on 12 April, a group of 150 people supported armed militants outside the police station in Sloviansk who were hostile to journalists, telling them to "go back to Kyiv".Rachkevych Mark Armed pro-Russian separatists launch coordinated attacks in Donetsk Oblast, seize buildings and set up checkpoints http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/armed-pro-russian-extremists-seize-police-stations-in-donetsks-slavyansk-shaktarysk-fail-to-take-donetsk-prosecutors-office-343195.html Kyiv Post 12 April 2014 12 April 2014 12 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140412220946/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/armed-pro-russian-extremists-seize-police-stations-in-donetsks-slavyansk-shaktarysk-fail-to-take-donetsk-prosecutors-office-343195.html live An unknown man set the car of the editor-in-chief of the News of Donbas ablaze. The editor had been receiving anonymous threats from the separatists.https://news.pn/en/politics/101495 In Donetsk separatists set fire to the car to the known journalist News.pn 12 April 2014 28 April 2014 2 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190702124525/https://news.pn/en/politics/101495 live On 19 April, the offices of local newspaper Pro Gorod in Torez, 80 km mi southeast of Donetsk, were set on fire.http://nr.news-republic.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=4&articleid=21887347 News Republic News Republic 19 April 2014 28 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20150703104403/http://nr.news-republic.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=4&articleid=21887347 3 July 2015 dead Separatists torched the offices of the newspaper Provintsia in Kostiantynivka on 23 April, after previously harassing newspaper staff and labeling them members of the 'Right Sector movement.'http://www.unian.net/politics/910864-separatistyi-na-donetchine-zabrosali-redaktsiyu-mestnoy-gazetyi-kokteylyami-molotova.html Сепаратисты на Донетчине забросали редакцию местной газеты "коктейлями Молотова" : Новости УНИАН Separatists in Donetsk region pelted local newspaper with Molotov cocktails : News from UNIAN Ukrainian Independent Information Agency 28 April 2014 26 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140426112415/http://www.unian.net/politics/910864-separatistyi-na-donetchine-zabrosali-redaktsiyu-mestnoy-gazetyi-kokteylyami-molotova.html live http://www.osce.org/fom/117985 New attacks on media in eastern Ukraine, warns OSCE representative Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 24 April 2014 24 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221952/https://www.osce.org/fom/117985 live Stepan Chirich, a Belarusian reporter with the Russian NTV channel, disappeared in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Another journalist, Evgenii Gapich, a photographer for the Reporter newspaper from Ivano-Frankivsk, disappeared in Horlivka; his whereabouts are unknown, but allegedly he has been held in detention by separatist forces in Sloviansk. Furthermore, Simon Ostrovsky, a journalist with Vice News, was captured by unidentified people in uniform in Sloviansk and released after four days. British journalist Graham Phillips was taken captive by both the separatists and the Ukrainian army.Max Seddon https://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/how-a-british-blogger-became-an-unlikely-star-of-the-ukraine#.vs68mYGvd How A British Blogger Became An Unlikely Star Of The Ukraine Conflict — And Russia Today BuzzFeed 20 May 2014 11 June 2021 8 May 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170508014955/https://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/how-a-british-blogger-became-an-unlikely-star-of-the-ukraine#.vs68mYGvd live A report by Human Rights Watch criticized the Ukrainian government for "the serial arrests of Russian journalists in Ukraine."https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/22/dispatches-merkel-shouldn-t-let-ukrainian-abuses-slide Merkel Shouldn't Let Ukrainian Abuses Slide Human Rights Watch 22 August 2014 23 August 2014 23 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141123031002/http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/22/dispatches-merkel-shouldn-t-let-ukrainian-abuses-slide live Luhansk Oblast thumb|Protesters around a statue of Taras Shevchenko on Heroes Square in Luhansk, waving both Russian and Ukrainian flags, 1 March 2014 In protest against the proposed cancelling of the regional language law, the regional administration of Luhansk Oblast voted to demand that the Russian language be given official language status. They also demanded the stopping of the persecution of former Berkut officers, the disarming of Maidan self-defence units, and the banning of a number of far-right political organizations, like Svoboda and UNA-UNSO. In the event that the authorities failed to comply with the demands, the Oblast administration reserved the "right to ask for help from the brotherly people of the Russian Federation".http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_oblsovet-luganska-ugrozhaet-razoruzhit-majdan-rukami-bratskoj-rossii/545140 Облсовет Луганская угрожает разоружить Майдан руками "братской" России The Luhansk regional council threatens to disarm the Maidan with the hands of "brotherly" Russia 2 March 2014 Gazeta.ua 2 March 2014 17 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140317032616/http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_oblsovet-luganska-ugrozhaet-razoruzhit-majdan-rukami-bratskoj-rossii/545140 live Government buildings in Luhansk have been occupied multiple times. A peaceful pro-Maidan demonstration on Heroes Square, outside the Luhansk city administration building, was attacked by anti-Maidan counter-demonstrators on 9 March. The attackers then stormed the building and occupied it but were swiftly removed by government forces.https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304250204579430980954177224?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304250204579430980954177224.html Ukraine in Control of Restless Eastern Cities, Says Premier The Wall Street Journal 10 March 2014 29 April 2014 20 March 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170320160159/https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304250204579430980954177224?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304250204579430980954177224.html live The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) local headquarters was occupied on 6 April, along with the SBU's armoury of over 300 machine guns.https://newrepublic.com/article/117298/ukrainian-parliament-fight-breaks-out-video-news-roundup-april-8 There's Violence on the Streets of Ukraine—and in Parliament A news roundup for April 8 The New Republic 8 April 2014 4 May 2014 8 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213325/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117298/ukrainian-parliament-fight-breaks-out-video-news-roundup-april-8 live Pro-Russian activists discussed plans for a "Luhansk Parliamentary Republic" on 8 April 2014.Сепаратисти в луганській СБУ вирішили стати парламентом | Українська правда https://web.archive.org/web/20140614012620/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021757/ 14 June 2014 . Pravda.com.ua (8 April 2014). Retrieved 2014-05-01. 1,500 were involved in the building's occupation.9 April 2014 http://www.unian.net/politics/906101-zdanie-luganskoy-sbu-uderjivayut-poltoryi-tyisyachi-voorujennyih-separatistov-jurnalist.html ru:Здание луганской СБУ удерживают полторы тысячи вооруженных сепаратистов – журналист : Новости УНИАН Luhansk SBU building is being held by 1,500 armed separatists - journalist : News UNIAN Ukrainian Independent Information Agency 28 April 2014 14 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140414183540/http://www.unian.net/politics/906101-zdanie-luganskoy-sbu-uderjivayut-poltoryi-tyisyachi-voorujennyih-separatistov-jurnalist.html live The occupiers referred to themselves as the Army of the South-East (ru Армия Юго-Востока).https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/12/east-ukraine-protesters-miners-donetsk-russia East Ukraine protesters joined by miners on the barricades | The Observer The Guardian 12 April 2014 13 April 2014 21 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021173008/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/12/east-ukraine-protesters-miners-donetsk-russia livehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/10/military-assaults-rumoured-eastern-ukraine-russian Military assaults against pro-Russian occupiers rumoured in eastern Ukraine The Guardian 10 April 2014 13 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222906/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/10/military-assaults-rumoured-eastern-ukraine-russian live According to The Guardian, the personnel include former members of the Berkut special police. The mood remained tense in Luhansk on 14 April. During the morning, up to 300 persons were observed at the entrance of the SBU building. There has been no indication that pro-Russian demonstrators in Luhansk would enact the terms of the Geneva Statement on Ukraine, and demonstrations have continued. Those occupying the SBU building told OSCE monitors on 20 April that they would demobilize once occupied buildings in Kyiv were vacated by Euromaidan supporters. The monitors also encountered a roadblock near the village of Rayhorodka, in Novoaidar Raion. It was guarded by about ten people in civilian clothes, including the local Orthodox priest. They stated that they set up the roadblock on 14 April to protect their village from any separatist incursions. A commander of the Ukrainian army indicated that no incidents had occurred at the roadblock so far, but that unknown armed individuals had been seen approaching it in the night. A rally outside the SBU building to elect a 'people's government' in Luhansk occurred on 21 April.http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/201534.html Luhansk prosecutors launch probes into federalization support rallies Interfax-Ukraine News Agency 21 April 2014 23 April 2014 29 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150629143648/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/201534.html live http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/ukraines-geneva-agreement-falters-301668 Ukraine's Geneva agreement falters EurActiv 22 April 2014 23 April 2014 Georgi 24 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151024072414/http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/ukraines-geneva-agreement-falters-301668 live At the rally, protesters called for an 11 May referendum on the status of Luhansk Oblast with three options: be part of a Ukrainian federation, join the Russian Federation, or remain part of a unitary Ukraine. Around 1,500 participants were observed at the peak of the rally. The leaders of the rally said that they were not separatists and sought a peaceful solution that would allow Luhansk to remain within Ukraine. The OSCE monitoring mission reported that the situation in Luhansk on 23 April was 'stable' and that the area around the occupied SBU building was 'quiet'. The monitors met with representatives of a non-governmental organization that said they had been held captive for six hours within the building on 21 April and that about 100 men in unmarked uniforms with machine guns were present inside it at the time. Escalation Luhansk People's Republic thumb|Destroyed house in Donbas, 22 July 2014 Several hundred protesters that had gathered outside the occupied SBU building proclaimed the "Luhansk People's Republic" on 27 April.http://en.itar-tass.com/world/729768 Federalization supporters in Luhansk proclaim people's republic Information Telegraph Agency of Russia 28 April 2014 28 April 2014 8 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141008154842/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/729768 live https://www.rferl.org/a/separatists-declare-luhansk-peoples-republic/25364894.html Separatists Declare 'People's Republic' In Ukraine's Luhansk Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 28 April 2014 28 April 2014 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103027/http://www.rferl.org/media/video/separatists-declare-luhansk-peoples-republic/25364894.html live They demanded that the Ukrainian government provide amnesty for all protesters, enshrine Russian as an official language, and hold a referendum on the status of the region. They issued an ultimatum that stated that if Kyiv did not meet their demands by 14:00 on 29 April, they would launch an insurgency in tandem with that of the Donetsk People's Republic.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118153 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 28 April 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 29 April 2014 14 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141014085817/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118153 live As these demands were not met, 2,000 to 3,000 protestors stormed the Luhansk RSA building on 29 April.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118186 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 29 April 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 30 April 2014 1 May 2014 8 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140608042555/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118186 live https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27206280 Pro-Russia activists seize Luhansk HQ BBC News 29 April 2014 29 April 2014 3 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140603234856/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27206280 live Previously, only the SBU building had been targeted. The building was unprotected on the exterior, but a group of riot police confronted the protesters in an inner courtyard of the building.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-luhansk-idUSBREA3S0IO20140429 Separatists seize another local government HQ in Ukraine Reuters 29 April 2014 29 April 2014 4 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220404015147/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-luhansk-idUSBREA3S0IO20140429 live A brief standoff resulted, but the police did nothing to stop the protesters. A Russian flag was raised over the building. Several other buildings, including a police station and the local prosecutor's office, were later seized. Twenty separatist gunmen fired machine guns at the police station to force the officers within to surrender.http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0429/613130-ukraine/ Russia warned over 'inviolable' NATO territory Raidió Teilifís Éireann 29 April 2014 29 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222938/https://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0429/613130-ukraine/ live President Oleksander Turchynov responded to the loss of the buildings by demanding the immediate resignation of police chiefs in Donetsk and Luhansk. By 2 May, however, pro-Russian protesters occupying the city council and the television centre had left, and the prosecutor's office was freed following negotiations between authorities and separatists.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27250026 Sloviansk rebels down army helicopters BBC News 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502075851/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27250026 live https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/pro-russian-rebels-leave-prosecutors-office-tv-centre-in-ukraines-luhansk-idUSBREA4109R/ Pro-Russian Rebels Leave Prosecutor's Office, TV Centre in Ukraine's Luhansk Reuters 2 May 2014 3 May 2014 The next day, however, separatist leader and self-proclaimed mayor of Luhansk Valeriy Bolotov announced the formation of a "South-Eastern Army" to march on Kyiv. Bolotov also declared a state of emergency, introduced a curfew, a ban on political parties, and a mandate that local law enforcement officials must take an oath of allegiance to him.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118294 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 4 May Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 6 May 2014 6 May 2014 16 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220316195353/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118294 live In a video statement, he said, "In case of not following this, you will be announced traitors of people of Luhansk, and wartime measures will be taken against you".http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/03/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html Amid continued defiance, Ukrainian official vows: 'We are not stopping' CNN 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221940/https://www.cnn.com/2014/05/03/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html live A GAZ Tigr heavy armoured vehicle emblazoned with the emblem of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia was seen parked outside the RSA building on 8 May, along with men in military gear and assault rifles.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118413 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 8 May 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 9 May 2014 9 May 2014 25 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220225010224/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118413 live http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118412 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 7 May 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 9 May 2014 9 May 2014 1 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210501073056/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118412 live Whilst speaking to OSCE monitors, the deputy governor of Luhansk Oblast said that the "security situation in the region is deteriorating due to activities of the separatists and criminal gangs." Members of the OSCE special monitoring mission were later stopped at an 'illegal' checkpoint near the village of Shchastya and held for three hours before being released.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118477 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received from 18:00, 9 May until 18:00, 11 May Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 12 May 2014 12 May 2014 16 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220316195856/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118477 live Referendum 2014 Donbas status referendums The disputed referendum on the status of Luhansk Oblast was held on 11 May. According to RIA Novosti, 96.2% voted in favour of self-rule.Kelly Lidia 12 May 2014 Results show 96.2 percent support for self-rule in east Ukraine region: RIA Reuters Moscow de Carbonnel Alissa https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-referendum-idUSBREA4B06Q20140512 26 December 2020 6 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306092001/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-referendum-idUSBREA4B06Q20140512 live Valeriy Bolotov, leader of the Republic, declared "martial law" on 22 May.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119021 Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received until 22 May, 18:00 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 23 May 2014 23 May 2014 25 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220325035753/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119021 live OSCE monitors said that around 70% of "shops, cafés, and banks" were closed in Luhansk city centre. Shops that remained open were sold out of various necessities, including fuel. Police were entirely absent. The confederal state of Novorossiya was proclaimed by Pavel Gubarev on 22 May, incorporating both the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. "Novorossiya" hearkens back to a term used by the Russian Empire to refer to modern eastern and southern Ukraine. Explosions struck the RSA building in Luhansk on 2 June, killing eight people and wounding twenty-eight.http://www.newsweek.com/separatists-eastern-ukraine-say-they-were-hit-airstrike-253098 Separatists in Eastern Ukraine Say They Were Hit by Airstrike Newsweek 2 June 2014 Reuters 3 June 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302001620/https://www.newsweek.com/separatists-eastern-ukraine-say-they-were-hit-airstrike-253098 live https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukraine-military-launches-offensive-rebels-23969311 https://web.archive.org/web/20140603115414/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukraine-military-launches-offensive-rebels-23969311 3 June 2014 Ukraine Military Launches Offensive Against Rebels ABC News 3 June 2014 Reuters 3 June 2014 Russian media reported that the explosions were Ukrainian airstrikes. Officials from Ukraine denied this stating instead that insurgents had fired an anti-aircraft missile at themselves. The next day, the OSCE special monitoring mission said that based on "limited observation", the "strikes were the result of non-guided rockets shot from an aircraft".https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27679626 'Heavy fighting' around Sloviansk BBC News 3 June 2014 3 June 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301224808/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27679626 live http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119479 Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 2 June (Kyiv time) OSCE 3 June 2014 17 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210917020248/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119479 live A CNN investigation found clear evidence that the detonations came from the air, and the pattern of the craters suggested use of standard equipment on the Su-25, a ground-attack fighter, and the Su-27—both combat aircraft operated by Ukraine.https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/03/world/europe/ukraine-luhansk-building-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_c1 Air attack on pro-Russian separatists in Luhansk kills 8, stuns residents CNN Diana Magnay Tom Lister 3 June 2014 4 June 2014 RadioLiberty headlined a report "Despite Denials, All Evidence For Deadly Explosion Points To Kyiv".Despite Denials, All Evidence For Deadly Explosion Points To Kyiv https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-unspun-luhansk-blast/25410384.html 4 May 2017 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 4 June 2014 22 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220222112659/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-unspun-luhansk-blast/25410384.html live Heavy fighting in the region continued over the following months, until the signing of the Minsk Protocol in early September, which established a ceasefire. Kharkiv Oblast Protests were also held in Kharkiv Oblast, and the regional state administration building there was occupied multiple times. thumb|Pro-Ukrainian protesters in Kharkiv, February 2014 Unrest first gripped Kharkiv city on 22 February 2014, when Euromaidan protesters occupied the Kharkiv regional state administration (RSA) building. Later that day, several thousand pro-Ukrainian protesters tried to topple a statue of Vladimir Lenin that stood opposite the RSA building in Freedom Square. Several taxi drivers defended the monument, injuring several of the protesters. By the next day, several thousand pro-Russian protesters had gathered in the square to protect the statue.Globe in Ukraine: In Kharkiv, revolution meets a Russophile resistance https://web.archive.org/web/20220319214221/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/globe-in-kharkiv-where-russia-is-close-to-the-heart/article17076303/ 19 March 2022 , The Globe and Mail (24 February 2014)Ukraine conflict: 'Raw anger' in divided Kharkiv https://web.archive.org/web/20170320160203/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26317218 20 March 2017 , BBC News (23 February 2014) They set up a perimeter fence around it. Then governor of Kharkiv Oblast Mykhailo Dobkin made a speech to the defenders of the statue, saying that the statue was "a symbol of our city... we will leave it here and we will defend it." Local police kept Euromaidan and Anti-Maidan protesters apart until 1 March.In The Shadow Of Lenin, Two Ukraines Face Off In Kharkiv , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (26 February 2014) On that day, pro-Russian activists stormed the RSA building, assaulted the Euromaidan activists who had been occupying it, and raised the Russian flag over the building.Ukraine: Violent clashes in Kharkiv leave dozens injured https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071857/http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/01/ukraine-violent-clashes-in-kharkiv-leave-dozens-injured/ 6 October 2014 , Euronews (1 March 2014) Some of the protesters were Russian citizens who had traveled to Kharkiv from Russia. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html From Russia, 'Tourists' Stir the Protests Andrew Roth The New York Times 4 March 2014 4 March 2014 26 February 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20140304074020/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html live https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-26435333 Russian site recruits 'volunteers' for Ukraine BBC News 4 March 2014 22 July 2018 21 June 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180722074502/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-26435333 live According to the local media, 2,000 Russians were brought by buses with Russian number plates to Kharkiv to take part in the storming of the RSA building.Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, divided over Russia's invasion of Crimea https://web.archive.org/web/20210112023703/https://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/pro-russian-kharkiv-338253.html/ 12 January 2021 , Kyiv Post (3 March 2014) Russian activist organizations confirmed that they sent Russians to "peacefully protest" in Kharkiv. Police regained control of the building by evening on the same day and replaced the Russian flag with that of Ukraine.http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/kharkiv_regional_administration_building_stormed_on_march_1_by_russian_tourists___activist_318009 Kharkiv regional administration building stormed on March 1 by Russian 'tourists' - activist National News Agency of Ukraine 3 March 2014 9 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140322025153/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/kharkiv_regional_administration_building_stormed_on_march_1_by_russian_tourists___activist_318009 22 March 2014 deadhttp://www.trust.org/item/20140304195551-n3lid/ Tide of opinion turns against Russia in Ukraine's east Reuters 5 March 2014 9 December 2014 25 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925134713/http://www.trust.org/item/20140304195551-n3lid/ dead Demonstrations by pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian activists in Kharkiv continued throughout the month of March. These included pro-Russian gatherings of up to 5,000 people.Pro-Russian rally draws 5,000 people in Ukraine's Kharkiv https://web.archive.org/web/20150703163916/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-rally-draws-5000-people-in-ukraines-kharkiv-338552.html 3 July 2015 , Kyiv Post (6 March 2014)Tensions ease in Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv https://web.archive.org/web/20240205083304/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26459929 5 February 2024 , BBC News (5 March 2014)uk Ukraine celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Shevchenko https://web.archive.org/web/20170320160619/http://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/mobile/news/2014/03/140309_shevchenko_anniversary_sx.shtml 20 March 2017 , BBC Ukrainian (9 March 2014)Kharkiv demonstration demands broad autonomy for southeastern regions https://web.archive.org/web/20140708204949/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-demonstration-demands-broad-autonomy-for-southeastern-regions-340434.html 8 July 2014 , Kyiv Post (22 March 2014)A woman holds a placard reading 'Kharkiv loves Crimea' while Pro-Ukrainian activists sing the state anthem during a rally in the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on 6 March 2014, as they protest against the Russian aggression in Crimea https://web.archive.org/web/20210501063737/https://www.gettyimages.nl/detail/nieuwsfoto%27s/woman-holds-a-placard-reading-kharkiv-loves-crimea-while-nieuwsfotos/476996527 1 May 2021 , Getty Images (6 March 2014)Russia supporters in eastern Ukraine pose challenges to pro-Western government https://web.archive.org/web/20240924213053/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-supporters-in-eastern-ukraine-pose-challenges-to-pro-western-government/2014/03/14/be21eeec-ab77-11e3-b8ca-197ef3568958_story.html 24 September 2024 , washingtonpost.com (15 March 2014) Despite this, the city remained relatively calm until 15 March, when two people were killed in a shootout between Ukrainian nationalists and pro-Russian activists.Pro-Russia Protesters Occupy Ukraine Government Building https://web.archive.org/web/20250804153915/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/russia-ukraine_n_4889053 4 August 2025 , HuffPost (3 March 2014)Ukraine crisis: Two dead in shootout in eastern city of Kharkiv as tensions rise ahead of Crimea referendum https://web.archive.org/web/20171014125057/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-two-dead-in-kharkiv-shootout-ahead-of-crimea-referendum-9194291.html 14 October 2017 , independent.co.uk (15 March 2014)Deadly clashes in eastern Ukraine ahead of Crimea referendum https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222008/https://www.dw.com/en/deadly-clashes-in-eastern-ukraine-ahead-of-crimea-referendum/a-17498801 1 March 2022 , dw.de (15 March 2014)Violence erupts in Kharkiv amid political turmoil https://web.archive.org/web/20220302000706/https://www.dw.com/en/violence-erupts-in-kharkiv-amid-political-turmoil/a-17513959 2 March 2022 , dw.de (22 March 2014)http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/two-killed-ukraine-protesters-clash-kharkiv-1440436 Two Killed in Ukraine as Protesters Clash in Kharkiv International Business Times 15 March 2014 10 April 2014 27 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201127090400/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/two-killed-ukraine-protesters-clash-kharkiv-1440436 live On the next day, pro-Russian activists broke into a Ukrainian cultural centre in Kharkiv, removed books written in the Ukrainian language, and burned them on the street outside.Pro-Russian demonstrators burn books, storm buildings in eastern Ukraine https://web.archive.org/web/20140316215525/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/16/us-ukraine-east-idUSBREA2F0P220140316 16 March 2014 , Reuters (16 March 2014)Pro-Russian Demonstrators Burn Books, Storm Buildings https://web.archive.org/web/20140708031810/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/pro-russian-demonstrators-burn-books-storm-buildings/496246.html 8 July 2014 , The Moscow Times (17 March 2014) thumb|left|Pro-Russian protesters in Kharkiv, 8 April 2014 Pro-Russian protesters stormed and occupied the RSA building on 6 April. The next day, protesters in the occupied RSA building unilaterally declared independence from Ukraine as the "Kharkiv People's Republic."Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv https://web.archive.org/web/20190820040710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 20 August 2019 , BBC News (6 April 2014)Pro-Russian Protesters Declare 'People's Republic' In Kharkiv, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (8 April 2014)Ukraine Authorities Clear Kharkiv Building, Arrest Scores Of 'Separatists', Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (8 April 2014)Russia warns Ukraine to avoid ‘civil war’ as Kyiv moves against protesters https://web.archive.org/web/20141030193851/http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/us-attempts-to-de-escalate-ukraine-tensions/ 30 October 2014 , Euronews (8 April 2014)Kharkiv Oblast administration house cleared — regional chief https://web.archive.org/web/20141214160833/http://itar-tass.com/en/world/726905 14 December 2014 , ITAR-TASS (8 April 2014)http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/04/07/332351/pro-russia-activists-declare-establishment-of-kharkiv-peoples-republic.html Pro-Russia activists declare establishment of 'Kharkiv people's republic' Focus Information Agency 7 April 2014 13 April 2014 9 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140409121553/http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/04/07/332351/pro-russia-activists-declare-establishment-of-kharkiv-peoples-republic.html dead Doubts arose about the local origin of the protesters after they initially stormed an opera and ballet theatre, believing it was the city hall. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/protesters-storm-kharkiv-theater-thinking-it-was-city-hall/497709.html Protesters Storm Kharkiv Theater Thinking It Was City Hall The Moscow Times 8 April 2014 29 April 2015 2 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150429194948/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/protesters-storm-kharkiv-theater-thinking-it-was-city-hall/497709.html live By 8 April, the RSA building had been retaken by Ukrainian special forces, and seventy protesters had been arrested.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-settles-down-while-pro-russian-separatists-still-hold-buildings-in-luhansk-donetsk-342517.html Kharkiv settles down, while pro-Russian separatists still hold buildings in Luhansk, Donetsk Kyiv Post 8 April 2014 13 April 2014 13 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113023301/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-settles-down-while-pro-russian-separatists-still-hold-buildings-in-luhansk-donetsk-342517.html live 1,000 pro-Russian protesters returned to the RSA building on 13 April and rallied around it, with some entering.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-militants-attack-pro-ukrainian-demonstrators-in-kharkiv-including-at-least-three-severely-343292.html Kharkiv city government building infiltrated by pro-Russian protesters Kyiv Post 13 April 2014 13 April 2014 13 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113023301/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-militants-attack-pro-ukrainian-demonstrators-in-kharkiv-including-at-least-three-severely-343292.html live These protesters then holed up inside the building with Kharkiv mayor Hennadiy Kernes. Later in the day, Kernes declared his support for an autonomy referendum and amnesty for the arrested Kharkiv separatists.http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/13/7022301/ Кернес пообіцяв допомогти звільнити затриманих сепаратистів; Українська правда Kernes promised to help release the detained separatists; Ukrainian Pravda Ukrainska Pravda 28 April 2014 6 June 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220606022254/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/13/7022301/ live At least fifty pro-government protesters, who had been holding concurrent demonstrations, were severely beaten in attacks by pro-Russian protesters.http://www.unian.net/politics/907771-posle-napadeniya-antimaydanovtsev-na-miting-evromaydana-v-harkove-postradalo-50-chelovek.html После нападения антимайдановцев на митинг Евромайдана в Харькове пострадало 50 человек : Новости УНИАН 50 people injured after anti-Maidan attack on Euromaidan rally in Kharkiv : UNIAN News Ukrainian Independent Information Agency 14 April 2014 28 April 2014 19 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140519144043/http://www.unian.net/politics/907771-posle-napadeniya-antimaydanovtsev-na-miting-evromaydana-v-harkove-postradalo-50-chelovek.html live Gunshots and grenade explosions were heard. Videos showed three people covered with blood being held on the metro station stairs, and separatists coming up to them, kicking them, and shouting "They are not humans!" According to a report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) monitoring mission on 19 April, no protesters had been seen in front of the RSA building since 13 April. The Kharkiv City Appeals Court ruled on 17 April that 43 of the 65 protesters arrested by authorities following the takeover of the RSA building on 8 and 9 April would remain in custody.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117859 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 19 April 2014 21 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222002/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117859 live Sentences for another 16 were changed to house arrest. Three detainees were released on bail, whereas the three remaining had earlier been sentenced to house arrest. Kharkiv remained calm over the weekend of 19–20 April, though a small, peaceful pro-Russian protest was held on Freedom Square.20 April 2014 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117881 22 April 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 24 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140424200846/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117881 live Demonstrations continued on Freedom Square, with 500 people gathering on 21 April to elect a so-called "people's government."http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117912 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 22 April 2014 23 April 2014 13 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313183853/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117912 live Worsening economic conditions in Ukraine were cited by participants as an impetus for the demonstrations. They called for the resignation of the city mayor and prosecutor as well as the return of Viktor Yanukovych. Vladimir Varshavsky was elected as "people's governor." More peaceful rallies were held in the morning on 23 April, with both anti-government and pro-government demonstrations held in Kharkiv city centre.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117995 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 23 April 2014, 19:00 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 24 April 2014 25 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222753/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117995 live Each rally was attended by around 400 people. Around 150 anti-government protesters gathered outside the Kharkiv City Council building on Constitution Square concurrently with the rallies. Later that day, over 7,000 residents held a rally in the same spot to support the unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine.http://fakty.ictv.ua/ua/index/read-news/id/1512771 7 тисяч харків'ян прийшли на мітинг-молебен за Україну 7,000 Kharkiv residents came to the prayer rally for Ukraine ICTV 23 April 2014 27 April 2014 27 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140427195912/http://fakty.ictv.ua/ua/index/read-news/id/1512771 dead The situation overall in Kharkiv remained calm, though police remained on high alert. A small group of riot police were seen guarding the RSA building on 25 April, though the police presence as a whole in the city appeared to be much reduced.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118044 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 25 April 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 26 April 2014 26 April 2014 27 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140427084628/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118044 live Rival demonstrations by supporters and opponents of a unitary Ukrainian state occurred on 27 April in Kharkiv city.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118117 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – based on information received up until 27 April 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 28 April 2014 28 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221952/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118117 live This resulted in clashes between around 400 opponents and 500 to 600 supporters of the Ukrainian government. Police attempts to quell the unrest were not successful. Shooting of Hennadiy Kernes September 2024 The mayor of Kharkiv, Hennadiy Kernes, was shot in the back while cycling on 28 April 2014.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27183591 Ukraine crisis: US and EU to intensify Russia sanctions BBC News 28 April 2014 28 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301222721/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27183591 live He was said to be in "grave, but stable" condition,http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-kharkiv-mayor-hennady-kernes-shot-in-the-back-1.2623922 Kharkiv Mayor Hennady Kernes shot in the back CBC News 28 April 2014 28 April 2014 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301221944/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-kharkiv-mayor-hennady-kernes-shot-in-the-back-1.2623922 live but later recovered, according to Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn on 10 May 2014.Wounded Jewish Ukraine mayor: 'I will return to Kharkiv' https://web.archive.org/web/20210514044407/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4518060,00.html 14 May 2021 , Ynetnews, 10 May 2014. Kernes was known as a staunch opponent of the Euromaidan. However, he had also stated that he did not support the pro-Russian insurgency, and backed a united Ukraine. Mykhailo Dobkin, a former governor of Kharkiv Oblast and potential Ukrainian presidential candidate, said "You want to know my opinion, they were shooting not at Kernes, but at Kharkiv", and said that the shooting was an attempt to destabilize what was otherwise a relatively calm region. Further protests thumb|right|250px|Pro-Russian signs around the statue bearing the words "Against vandalism", "Fascists, don't test the patience of Kharkiv citizens!", "Caution! Fascism is set free!" and "Banderites! REMEMBER – KHARKIV IS NOT YOUR TERRITORY". thumb|Ukrainian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast, 8 May Kharkiv returned to relative calm by 30 April, no rallies having been observed there by OSCE monitors. A minor demonstration by about four-hundred separatists was held in Freedom Square on 4 May. A notably increased police presence remained in and around Freedom Square. On the same day, a planned rally by pro-Ukrainian unity groups was cancelled due to concerns about potential clashes in the wake of the Odesa disaster. Demonstrations by "opponents of Ukrainian unity" with Russian and Soviet flags were held in front of the Russian and Polish consulates in Kharkiv city on 26 May.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119114 Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received until 26 May, 18:00 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 27 May 2014 29 May 2014 2 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220302145341/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119114 live These demonstrators initiated petitions that they said were signed by 1,500 people from Kharkiv, which called on the EU and Russia not to recognise the results of the 25 May Ukrainian presidential election. They also voiced opposition to the Ukrainian government's military operations against pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk Oblast. Mayor Hennadiy Kernes returned to Kharkiv city on 16 June, after receiving medical treatment in Israel. The city administration provided buses for around 1,000 people who came to greet him upon his return. Demonstrations similar to the one that took place on 26 May continued throughout the month of June. One such demonstration took place on 22 June, with 800–900 people gathering on the 73rd anniversary of the German Reich's invasion of the Soviet Union. The demonstrators voiced the same concerns about the Ukrainian government's military operations in the East, protesting against Ukraine's efforts to combat separatist insurgents in Donetsk Oblast. Concurrently, around 1,000 people rallied for a ban on the Communist Party of Ukraine, and on pro-Russian demonstrations.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120158 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine based on information received until 23 June 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 24 June 2014 24 June 2014 16 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220316201629/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120158 live Some of the people participating in this rally approached the location of the aforementioned pro-Russian demonstration. A verbal confrontation ensued, involving participants of both rallies. Police officers that had been escorting the pro-Ukrainian demonstrators dispersed the crowd. Thirty activists from both groups were temporarily detained as a result. The chief of the Kharkiv Oblast branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on 28 June that about 200 policemen had been fired since March for having been "in violation of the law", with many of them having "separatist views".http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/28/7030432/ Kharkiv police fired 200 for separatism Ukrainian Truth 28 June 2014 28 June 2014 uk 1 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220301180249/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/28/7030432/ live He also said that police intervention on 22 June had managed to "prevent slaughter", and that both Euromaidan and Anti-Maidan activists had been trying to "destabilize the situation". Furthermore, Kharkiv Oblast governor Ihor Baluta wrote on his Facebook page that 314 "active separatists" had been arrested in Kharkiv since 6 April.uk Baluta boasted that he has detained 314 active separatist https://web.archive.org/web/20140701052849/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/30/7030538/ 1 July 2014 , Ukrainska Pravda (30 June 2014) Another protest by about 300 Ukrainian unity activists took place on 22 July.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/121790 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 23 July Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 24 July 2014 25 July 2014 11 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211111212651/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/121790 live They gathered outside the RSA building with European Union, NATO, and Ukrainian flags, and said that they wanted to prevent the war in the Donbas region from spreading to Kharkiv Oblast. They demanded that gatherings of separatists and communists within Kharkiv city be prohibited. An attempt was made to destroy an important bridge in the village of Hrushuvakha on 29 July.http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/216127.html Attempt made to blow up bridge in Kharkiv region Interfax-Ukraine News Agency 30 July 2014 30 July 2014 5 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220305034225/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/216127.html live The bridge was not damaged in the attempt, but Kharkiv RSA said that there were other plots to carry out "terrorist attacks" in Kharkiv Oblast. The mayor of Kharkiv, Hennadiy Kernes, granted freedom of the city to two Russian citizens at a session of the Kharkiv City Council on 6 August.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122466 Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 hrs, 6 August 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 7 August 2014 12 August 2014 16 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220316201719/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122466 live This concerned some people in the city, causing about one hundred people to protest outside city administration building.http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-this-week-roots-of-pro-russian-separatists-in-russian-ultranationalist-groups/#3693 Russia This Week: Zhirinovsky Threatens to 'Wipe Out' Poland, Baltics (4–10 August) The Interpreter 10 August 2014 17 August 2014 25 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220325154933/https://www.interpretermag.com/russia-this-week-roots-of-pro-russian-separatists-in-russian-ultranationalist-groups/#3693 live Police restrained the protesters, who attempted to force their way into the building. Protesters and the police negotiated, and eventually five protesters were allowed into the city administration to voice their grievances. Kharkiv remained calm for the next few days, until 10 August.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122495 Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received by 18:00 (Kyiv time), 7 August 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 8 August 2014 17 August 2014 10 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140810193920/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122495 live On that day, about 150 people gathered outside the city administration and demanded an end to the government military operation in the Donbas region.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122578 Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 11 August 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 12 August 2014 12 August 2014 13 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140813010905/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122578 live A counter-protest was also held, with about 300 people voicing their support for the government military opposition, calling for the dissolution of the city administration, and the dismissal of the mayor. About one-hundred anti-Maidan-affiliated demonstrators gathered on Freedom Square to protest against corruption in Ukraine on 17 August.uk Two liberty square rally https://web.archive.org/web/20220320011916/https://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/17.08.2014/na_ploschadi_svobody_proshli_dva_mitinga 20 March 2022 , Status quo (17 August 2014) One of the speakers at the protest said that the best way to fight corruption was to create a "local regional government", as they said this would eliminate the need to bribe the ministers in Kyiv. A concurrent protest in the same square saw 250 pro-Euromaidan demonstrators voice their support for lustration and against oligarchy. The pro-Euromaidan demonstrators also collected money for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and for refugees fleeing the war in Donbas. A Kharkiv court decision banned a planned 23 August joint rally of the Communist Party of Ukraine and the organization "South-East".ru The Communist Party and "South-East" banned to hold rallies, Status quo (22 August 2014) "South-East" itself was banned on 20 August because it was deemed to be "a threat to the sovereignty of Ukraine and the security of its people" by a Kharkiv court.ru Kharkiv court banned separatist organization "South-East" https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120332/http://www.unian.net/politics/953568-v-harkove-sud-zapretil-organizatsiyu-yugo-vostok.html 26 August 2014 , Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (20 August 2014) About 500 people marched on 23 August in commemoration of the Day of the National Flag and the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism; one of their demands was the dissolution of the city administration.24 June 2023 ru:Около 500 человек идут маршем по центру Харькова (дополнено, фото, видео) About 500 people were marching through the center of Kharkiv (updated, photo, video) https://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/23.08.2014/okolo_500_chelovek_idut_marshem_po_centru_harkova 30 June 2023 Status Quo ru 30 June 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230630040329/https://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/23.08.2014/okolo_500_chelovek_idut_marshem_po_centru_harkova live A peaceful gathering of Ukrainian unity activists was held outside the Russian consulate in Kharkiv on 28 August.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/123074 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 29 August 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 30 August 2014 31 August 2014 21 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220221231114/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/123074 live Around 400 people attended the demonstration. Participants said they were concerned about Russia's intervention in the war in Donbas. The demonstration was later dispersed by the police after stun grenades were thrown at the consulate. One of the largest gatherings of supporters of Ukrainian unity in many months took place in Kharkiv on 28 September.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29405089 Ukraine nationalists tear down Kharkiv's Lenin statue BBC News 28 September 2014 29 September 2014 29 September 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140929075940/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29405089 live http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/124547 Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 28 September 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 29 September 2014 29 September 2014 16 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220316201219/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/124547 live At about 14:30, a diverseMarch 2022 crowd of 2,000 people met in front of the Opera House. The demonstration was led by the Azov paramilitary battalion. The crowd then marched to Freedom Square, where there was a monumental statue of Vladimir Lenin. The statue had been a rallying point for pro-Russian protesters earlier in the year. By this time, the crowd had reached 5,000 people. The statue of Lenin was pulled down by the pro-Ukrainian demonstrators at 22:40, shortly after oblast governor Ihor Baluta signed an order to dismantle the statue. In late October, Governor Baluta admitted that he thought that the majority of the city's residents had not wanted the statue removed but said, "There was hardly any protest afterward either, which is quite telling."https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-23/ukraines-second-city-kharkiv-eludes-rebel-hands Ukraine's Second City, Kharkiv, Eludes Rebel Hands Bloomberg BusinessWeek 23 October 2014 24 October 2014 28 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150628044204/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-23/ukraines-second-city-kharkiv-eludes-rebel-hands live From early November until mid-December, Kharkiv was struck by seven non-lethal bomb blasts. Targets of these attacks included a rock pub known for raising money for Ukrainian forces, a hospital for Ukrainian forces, a military recruiting centre, and a National Guard base.Seven recent blasts in Ukraine city stir fear of new Russian menace https://web.archive.org/web/20220320012623/https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-ukraine-russia-kharkiv-bombs-20141210-story.html 20 March 2022 , Los Angeles Times (11 December 2014)Mysterious spate of bombings hit Ukraine military hub https://web.archive.org/web/20160315155646/http://news.yahoo.com/mysterious-spate-bombings-hit-ukraine-military-hub-114452090.html 15 March 2016 , Agence France-Presse (10 December 2014) According to SBU investigator Vasyliy Vovk, Russian covert forces were behind the attacks and had intended to destabilize the otherwise calm city of Kharkiv.SBU: Russian special services target Kharkiv, Odesa, situation difficult to control https://web.archive.org/web/20141214215037/http://www.unian.info/society/1020077-sbu-russian-special-services-target-kharkiv-odesa-situation-difficult-to-control.html 14 December 2014 , Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (10 December 2014) Odesa Oblast 2014 Odesa clashes right vertical 220 RussianSpringOdessa20140420_02.JPG Pro-Russian Odesskaya Druzhina militants at a rally in Odesa, 20 April 2014. Euromaidan Odessa 02.03.14.webm Pro-Ukrainian demonstration in Odesa, 2 March. Beginning on 1 March, demonstrations began in Odesa Oblast. Police reported that 5,000 participated in a pro-Russian demonstration in the city of Odesa on that day.Conal Urquhart https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates UN security council in emergency meeting after Russian parliament approves use of military against Ukraine- live updates The Guardian 3 January 2014 1 March 2014 1 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140301212545/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates live Rolling demonstrations continued, and on 3 March 2014, 200–500 demonstrators with Russian flags attempted to seize the Odesa Regional State Administration building.3 March 2014 Митингующие под флагами России штурмуют Одесскую ОГА Protesters under the flags of Russia storm the Odesa Regional State Administration http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_mitinguyuschie-pod-flagami-rossii-shturmuyut-odesskuyu-oga/545208 3 March 2014 Gazeta.ua 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303161457/http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_mitinguyuschie-pod-flagami-rossii-shturmuyut-odesskuyu-oga/545208 live 3 March 2014 В Одессе накалились страсти: противники киевской власти осадили ОГА. К ним вышел Скорик (фоторепортаж) ru In Odesa inflame passions: opponents of the Kyiv authorities besieged RSA Info-Center.od.ua http://info-center.od.ua/9882-v-odesse-nakalilis-strasti-protivniki-kievskoy-vlasti-osadili-oga-k-nim-vyshel-skorik-fotoreportazh.html 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303154521/http://info-center.od.ua/9882-v-odesse-nakalilis-strasti-protivniki-kievskoy-vlasti-osadili-oga-k-nim-vyshel-skorik-fotoreportazh.html 3 March 20143 March 2014 Активисты в Одессе пошли штурмом на здание облсовета ru Activists in Odesa stormed the building of the Regional Council LifeNews.ru http://lifenews.ru/news/128293 3 March 2014 6 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140306015118/http://lifenews.ru/news/128293 live They demanded that a referendum on the establishment of an "Odesa Autonomous Republic" be held. An 'Odesa People's Republic' was allegedly proclaimed by an internet group in Odesa Oblast on 16 April.16 April 2014 Одеські сепаратисти в інтернеті оголосили "Одеську республіку" uk Odesa separatists declared the Internet "Odesa republic" Ukrainska Pravda http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022611/ 16 April 2014 19 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140419145438/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022611/ live Members of the Odesa anti-Maidan protest group later swore that they made no such declaration, and the leaders of the group said they had only heard about it through the media.16 April 2014 Одеський Антимайдан божиться, що ніякої республіки не оголошував uk Odesa antimaidan swears that no republic is declared Ukrainska Pravda http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022625/ 16 April 2014 19 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140419145503/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022625/ live The OSCE monitoring mission in Ukraine later confirmed that the situation in Odesa remained calm. Local anti-Maidan and pro-Euromaidan leaders in Odesa Oblast voiced scepticism about the Geneva Statement on Ukraine on 20 April. The anti-Maidan leaders insisted that they aimed not at secession, but at the establishment of a wider federated state called 'Novorossiya' within Ukraine. A hand grenade was thrown from a passing car at a joint police-Maidan self-defence checkpoint outside Odesa on 25 April, injuring seven people and causing heightened tensions in the region.Shevchenko Daryna 30 April 2014 Pro-Ukrainian activists recover after attack near Odessa Kyiv Post http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-ukrainian-activists-recover-after-attack-near-odessa-345704.html 2 May 2014 1 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140501201905/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-ukrainian-activists-recover-after-attack-near-odessa-345704.html live City centre clashes and further events A week later, on 2 May, a rally by about 2,000 pro-government demonstrators, including football ultras, was attacked by about 300 anti-Maidan militants with batons and helmets.7 years with no answers. What is lacking in the investigations of the events in odesa on 2 May 2014? https://ukraine.un.org/en/126054-7-years-no-answers-what-lacking-investigations-events-odesa-2-may-2014 15 April 2024 United Nations in Ukraine en 5 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220405062855/https://ukraine.un.org/en/126054-7-years-no-answers-what-lacking-investigations-events-odesa-2-may-2014 live http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140502/pro-ukrainians-pro-russians-clash-odessa Pro-Ukrainians, pro-Russians clash in Odessa Global Post 2 May 2014 Agence France-Presse 2 May 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140502213601/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140502/pro-ukrainians-pro-russians-clash-odessa 2 May 20142 May 2014 http://www.unian.net/politics/914038-v-besporyadkah-v-odesse-pogibli-uje-chetyire-cheloveka-smi.html ru:В беспорядках в Одессе погибли уже четыре человека – СМИ Four people have already died in the riots in Odesa - media 1 October 2014 6 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085845/http://www.unian.net/politics/914038-v-besporyadkah-v-odesse-pogibli-uje-chetyire-cheloveka-smi.html live Both sides clashed in the streets of central Odesa, building barricades, throwing petrol bombs, and firing automatic weapons at each other.7 May 2014 Who is to blame for 46 Odessa deaths? Kyiv Post http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/odessa-who-is-to-blame-for-46-odessa-deaths-346817.html 8 May 2014 10 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140510050723/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/odessa-who-is-to-blame-for-46-odessa-deaths-346817.html live The anti-Maidan protesters were later overwhelmed by the much larger group of Ukrainian unity protesters, forcing them to retreat to and occupy the Trade Unions House.В Одессе проукраинские активисты ликвидировали лагерь сепаратистов : Новости УНИАН Pro-Ukrainian activists liquidated separatist camp in Odesa : UNIAN News Ukrainian Independent Information Agency http://www.unian.net/politics/914049-v-odesse-proukrainskie-aktivistyi-likvidirovali-lager-separatistov.html 3 May 2014 2 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502233948/http://www.unian.net/politics/914049-v-odesse-proukrainskie-aktivistyi-likvidirovali-lager-separatistov.html live From the building, militants on the roof shot at, tossed rocks and petrol bombs at the protesters below, who responded in kind with petrol bombs of their own.Arel Dominique https://books.google.com/books?id=7dWgEAAAQBAJ&dq=A+gunman+from+the+anti-Maidan+militia&pg=PA140 Ukraine's Unnamed War: Before the Russian Invasion of 2022 Driscoll Jesse 5 January 2023 Cambridge University Press 978-1-316-51149-7 140, 141 en The building then caught fire.Amos Howard 2 May 2014 Ukraine clashes: dozens reported dead after Odessa building fire The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-dead-odessa-building-fire 3 May 2014 10 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20140503014148/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-dead-odessa-building-fire live http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/473754/Dozens-killed-by-smoke-as-Ukraine-moves-closer-to-civil-war Dozens killed by smoke as Ukraine moves closer to civil war | World Daily Express 2 May 2014 3 May 2014 13 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140513200009/http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/473754/Dozens-killed-by-smoke-as-Ukraine-moves-closer-to-civil-war live In total, 43 people died during the clashes.3 May 2014 Криваві сутички в Одесі забрали життя 43 осіб, 25 перебувають у тяжкому стані – Новини України на 1+1 – ТСН.ua Bloody clashes in Odesa took the lives of 43 people, 25 are in serious condition - News of Ukraine on 1 + 1 - TSN.ua http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/krivavi-sutichki-v-odesi-zabrali-zhittya-43-osib-25-perebuvayut-u-tyazhkomu-stani-347951.html 3 May 2014 tsn.ua 20 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320213552/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/krivavi-sutichki-v-odesi-zabrali-zhittya-43-osib-25-perebuvayut-u-tyazhkomu-stani-347951.html live Thirty-one died whilst trapped in the burning Trade Unions House.https://www.voanews.com/a/gunfire-blasts-heard-in-eastern-ukraine/1905925.html Ukraine Chaos Spreads to Odessa as 38 Killed in Fire Related to Unrest Voice of America 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502210655/http://www.voanews.com/content/gunfire-blasts-heard-in-eastern-ukraine/1905925.html 2 May 2014 live Police said at least three people were shot dead.http://timer-odessa.net/news/ofitsial_no_na_kulikovom_pole_pogib_31_chelovek_na_grecheskoy_chetvero_ostorojno_foto_415.html Официально: на Куликовом поле погиб 31 человек, на Греческой – четверо (осторожно, фото) • Таймер timer.od.ua 3 May 2014 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312231336/http://timer-odessa.net/news/ofitsial_no_na_kulikovom_pole_pogib_31_chelovek_na_grecheskoy_chetvero_ostorojno_foto_415.html dead In the aftermath of the clashes, on 4 May, the main Internal Affairs Ministry office in Odesa was attacked by pro-Russian protesters.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27276120 Ukraine crisis: Odessa detainees freed as police HQ attacked BBC News 4 May 2014 4 May 2014 4 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140504143950/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27276120 live They demanded the release of their "comrades" who had participated in the clashes. The police complied, resulting in the freeing of 67 of those arrested. By 5 May, the situation in Odesa had calmed, though the atmosphere remained extremely tense.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118321 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine – based on information received up until 5 May 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 7 May 2014 7 May 2014 10 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140510015648/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118321 live About sixty people gathered on Kulikovo Field to commemorate the 2 May fire on 13 July.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/121316 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 14 July Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 15 July 2014 17 July 2014 25 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140725075018/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/121316 live The demonstration was peaceful. Another demonstration on the field on the same day drew about 120 people. They chanted, "Donbas, we are with you" in reference to the ongoing War in Donbas. Odesa city mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov told OSCE monitors on 23 July that the "underlying tensions" of the 2 May clashes remained in the city and that he feared for the city's security. Odesa was struck by six bomb blasts in December 2014, one of which killed one person (the injuries sustained by the victim indicated that he had dealt with explosives).News Analysis: Bombing Campaign Opens New Front In Battle For Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (9 January 2015)Two dead after Ukraine rocked by series of blasts https://web.archive.org/web/20150128111107/http://mashable.com/2014/12/27/ukraine-blasts/ 28 January 2015 , Mashable (28 December 2014)Interior minister's advisor says Kharkiv, Odesa explosions aim at escalating tensions in Ukraine https://web.archive.org/web/20141230005503/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241835.html 30 December 2014 , Interfax-Ukraine (25 December 2014)Bomb Explosion in Odessa Could Have Targeted Ukraine Army Charity Point https://web.archive.org/web/20150318230918/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/bomb-explosion-in-odessa-could-have-targeted-volunteer-organization-for-ukraine-army/513053.html 18 March 2015 , The Moscow Times (10 December 2014) Internal Affairs Ministry advisor Zorian Shkiryak said on 25 December that Odesa and Kharkiv had become "cities which are being used to escalate tensions" in Ukraine.and that their geographic position was a reason. The Security Service of Ukraine claims that in April 2015 it prevented the proclamation of a so-called "Bessarabian People's Republic". According to the security service, the separatist network behind it also wanted to set up an "Odesa People's Republic", "Porto-Franko", and other breakaway entities.Ukrainian MP was in 2015 set to take lead of "Bessarabian People's Republic" – SBU chief https://web.archive.org/web/20220302145322/https://www.unian.info/politics/10292343-ukrainian-mp-was-in-2015-set-to-take-lead-of-bessarabian-people-s-republic-sbu-chief.html 2 March 2022 , Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (9 October 2018) Largest protests by date and attendance The charts below show the locations, dates, and attendance rate of pro-Russian protests in Ukraine, and also of pro-Ukrainian counter-protests. Pro-Russian protests City Peak attendees Date ReferencesDnipropetrovsk1,000–3,0001 MarВ Днепропетровске состоялись два митинга: за и против новой власти http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_dnepropetrovske_sostoyalis_dva_mitinga_za_i_protiv_novoy_vlasti_1608502 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140305021021/http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_dnepropetrovske_sostoyalis_dva_mitinga_za_i_protiv_novoy_vlasti_1608502 5 March 2014Donetsk2,000–15,0006 Apr6 April 2014 ru:В Донецке и Харькове сепаратисты вышли на митинг http://news.liga.net/news/politics/1268209-v_donetske_vyshli_na_miting_okolo_dvukh_tysyach_separatistov.htm 16 April 2014 ru 19 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171019094804/http://news.liga.net/news/politics/1268209-v_donetske_vyshli_na_miting_okolo_dvukh_tysyach_separatistov.htm live Ukraine: Pro-Russian protesters storm buildings in cities close to Russia border http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/06/ukraine-pro-russian-protesters-storm-buildings-in-cities-close-to-russia-border/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093040/http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/06/ukraine-pro-russian-protesters-storm-buildings-in-cities-close-to-russia-border/ 6 October 2014 1 October 2014 euronewsKerch20024 FebВ Керчи митингующие сорвали украинский флаг и мэрии и повесили российский : Новости УНИАН (In Kerch protesters tore down Ukrainian flag at the mayor's office and hung Russian flag) http://www.unian.net/politics/888686-v-kerchi-mitinguyuschie-sorvali-ukrainskiy-flag-i-merii-i-povesili-rossiyskiy.html 24 February 2014 ru Ukrainian Independent Information Agency 16 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191216132336/https://www.unian.net/politics/888686-v-kerchi-mitinguyuschie-sorvali-ukrainskiy-flag-i-merii-i-povesili-rossiyskiy.html live Kharkiv10,0001 Mar 17 MarThe Donbas Conflict in Ukraine: Elites, Protest, and Partition 2021 Routledge 9781003213710 89Kherson4002 Mar1 March 2014 В Херсоне прошел пророссийский митинг (In Kherson, pro-Russian rally) http://news.liga.net/news/politics/992435-v_khersone_proshel_miting_protiv_nasiliya_i_fashizma_v_ukraine.htm 11 April 2014 Liga News Ukraine ru 17 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180317154738/http://news.liga.net/news/politics/992435-v_khersone_proshel_miting_protiv_nasiliya_i_fashizma_v_ukraine.htm live Luhansk10,0009 Mar9 March 2014 У Луганську мітингарі-русофіли змусили нового губернатора піти у відставку – ЗМІ; Українська правда http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/9/7018219/ 28 April 2014 Ukrainska Pravda 13 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313092409/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/9/7018219/ live Mariupol2,000–5,0001 MarМариупольцы поддерживают Севастополь http://mariupol-life.com.ua/Город/Мариупольцы-поддерживают-Севастополь-ФОТО.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140427000104/http://mariupol-life.com.ua/%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4/%D0%9C%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%86%D1%8B-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%8E%D1%82-%D0%A1%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C-%D0%A4%D0%9E%D0%A2%D0%9E.html 27 April 2014Сегодня в Мариуполе состоялся многотысячный митинг https://web.archive.org/web/20140309230524/http://www.mariupolnews.com.ua/descr/43475 9 March 2014. Mariupolnews.com.ua. Retrieved 1 May 2014.September 2024 No history of fact-checking. Unknown reliability.Mykolaiv1,0002 Mar5 March 2014 На востоке и юге Украины началась новая волна митингов https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/ukraine_in_russian/2014/03/140305_ru_s_donetsk_kharkiv_unrest 15 August 2024 BBC ruOdesa5,000 (1 Mar),50 кадров: как в Одессе митинговали в поддержку России https://dumskaya.net/news/50-kadrov--033169/ua/ 23 August 2024 dumskaya.net 23 August 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240823093947/https://dumskaya.net/news/50-kadrov--033169/ua/ live 500С Одесской ОДА сняли российский флаг https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/3/7017394/ 23 August 2024 Украинская правда ru–700Пока в Одессе штурмовали облсовет, он осудил ввод чужих войск https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/3/7017302/ 23 August 2024 Украинская правда ru 22 August 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240822183513/https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/3/7017302/ live –1,0009 December 2015 Предыстория одесской трагедии 2 мая 2014 года. https://2mayodessa.org/predystoriya-odesskoj-tragedii-2-maya-2014-g/ https://web.archive.org/web/20240419063911/https://2mayodessa.org/predystoriya-odesskoj-tragedii-2-maya-2014-g/ 19 April 2024 23 August 2024 «Группа 2 мая» Одесса ukТрагедия 2 мая: противники договаривались о мирном демонтаже палаточного городка на Куликовом поле https://dumskaya.net/news/palatochnyj-gorodok-na-kulikovom-pole-sobiralis--040119/ua/ https://web.archive.org/web/20240523161304/https://dumskaya.net/news/palatochnyj-gorodok-na-kulikovom-pole-sobiralis--040119/ua/ 23 May 2024 23 August 2024 dumskaya.net (3 Mar), 3,000 (30 Mar)В Одессе пророссийские активисты напали на сторонников Евромайдана In Odessa, pro-Russian activists attacked supporters of Euromaidan https://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/v-odesse-prorossiyskie-aktivisty-napali-na-storonnikov-evromaydana-506463.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140331150934/https://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/v-odesse-prorossiyskie-aktivisty-napali-na-storonnikov-evromaydana-506463.html 31 March 2014 ru1 Mar 3 Mar, 30 MarSimferopol5,00026 Feb26 February 2014 Russia puts military on high alert as Crimea protests leave one man dead https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/ukraine-new-leader-disbands-riot-police-crimea-separatism 28 April 2014 The Guardian 27 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227000327/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/ukraine-new-leader-disbands-riot-police-crimea-separatism live Sevastopol15,000Khudikova Larisa 27 February 2014 Политики: оборона Севастополя начинается в Симферополе Politicians: the defence of Sevastopol begins in Simferopol https://www.vesti.ru/article/1856765 17 November 2020 vesti.ru Russia-24 ru 17 April 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210417231753/https://www.vesti.ru/article/1856765 live September 2024 RU govt-controlled–25,00023 FebSych Stepan 23 February 2014 В Севастополе на митинг вышли 25 тысяч человек In Sevastopol, 25 thousand people came to the rally https://www.segodnya.ua/regions/krym/v-sevastopole-na-miting-vyshli-25-tysyach-chelovek-498149.html 17 November 2020 segodnya.ua ru 4 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220404021512/https://www.segodnya.ua/regions/krym/v-sevastopole-na-miting-vyshli-25-tysyach-chelovek-498149.html dead September 2024 News source of unknown reliability. Academic secondary source needed.Zaporizhzhia500–5,000+6 Apr6 April 2014 ru:Сторонники федерации и русского языка в Запорожье вышли на марш Supporters of the Federation and the Russian language in Zaporizhzhia took to the march https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3345089-storonnyky-federatsyy-y-russkoho-yazyka-v-zaporozhe-vyshly-na-marsh 17 November 2020 korrespondent.net ru 27 February 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220227171946/https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3345089-storonnyky-federatsyy-y-russkoho-yazyka-v-zaporozhe-vyshly-na-marsh live Pro-Ukrainian counter-protests Protests by region City Peak attendees Date Referencesright|500pxChernihiv2,000+2 MarDnipropetrovsk10,0002 Mar https://web.archive.org/web/20140608051927/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraines-leader-urges-putin-to-pull-back-military/2014/03/02/004ec166-a202-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html 8 June 2014 , The Washington Post (2 March 2014)Donetsk5,000–7,00017 Aprhttp://novosti.dn.ua/details/223060/ At a rally for the unity of Ukraine in Donetsk came five thousand people News of Donbas 17 April 2014 ru 21 March 2015 17 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20150321095406/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223060/ live http://tsn.ua/politika/u-donecku-blizko-7-tisyach-lyudey-viyshli-na-miting-za-yednist-ukrayini-345917.html У Донецьку близько 7 тисяч людей вийшли на мітинг за єдність України – Політика – ТСН.ua 17 April 2014 Tsn.ua 28 April 2014Kharkiv7,00023 AprTumanova Tonya 23 April 2014 Fb: в поддержку единства Украины в Харькове вышли около 7 тыс. человек Fb: about 7 thousand people came out in support of the unity of Ukraine in Kharkiv https://www.unn.com.ua/ru/news/1334656-fb-na-pidtrimku-yednosti-ukrayini-u-kharkovi-viyshli-blizko-7-tis-osib 26 December 2020 News Agency Ukrainian National News ru KyivKherson30022 Marhttp://khersonline.net/novosti/obschestvo/21630-hersonskie-kommunisty-zateryalis-mezhdu-evromaydanami.html ru:Херсонские коммунисты затерялись между Евромайданами Kherson communists lost amidst Euromaidan supporters ru khersonline.net 22 March 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140323003602/http://khersonline.net/novosti/obschestvo/21630-hersonskie-kommunisty-zateryalis-mezhdu-evromaydanami.html 23 March 2014У Херсоні сепаратистів зібралося вдесятеро менше, ніж противників референдуму | Українська правда. Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 1 May 2014.Kirovohrad1009 Mar9 March 2014 ru:Мы за мир!", – в Кировограде состоялось шествие за территориальную целостность Украины http://censor.net.ua/news/274896/my_za_mir_v_kirovograde_sostoyalos_shestvie_za_territorialnuyu_tselostnost_ukrainy ru 16 April 2014 Цензор.НЕТ Нет Цензор Kramatorsk20030 MarМитинги в Краматорске: "унитарии" создали живой коридор, а "федералисты" сожгли флаг Евросоюза (фото, видео) Восточный проект – новости Краматорска. Vp.donetsk.ua (31 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014.Kramatorsk1,00017 Aprhttp://novosti.dn.ua/details/223062/ Новости Донбасса :: 1 тысяча человек митингует в поддержку единства Украины. На них напали сепаратисты (обновлено) Novosti.dn.ua 28 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140426092820/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223062/ 26 April 2014 deadKryvyi Rih10,000+19 AprУ Кривому Розі мітинг за єдність України зібрав 10 тисяч | Українська правда. Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 1 May 2014.Kyiv8,0002 MarLuhansk1,00013 AprУ Луганську, Одесі та Кривому Розі мітингували за єдність України | Українська правда. Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 1 May 2014.Mariupol1,000+23 AprУ Маріуполі тисяча людей мітингувала за єдність України. Tvi.ua (23 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140424061503/http://tvi.ua/new/2014/04/23/u_mariupoli_tysyacha_lyudey_mitynhuvala_za_yednist_ukrayiny 24 April 2014Mykolaiv5,000–10,0002 Marhttp://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/2/7017026/ В Николаеве проходит многотысячный митинг против агрессии Путина; Украинская правда Ukrainska Pravda 28 April 2014Odesa10,000–15,00030 Marhttp://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/bolee-10-tys-odessitov-nesut-ogromnyy-flag-ukrainy-506435.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140331005929/http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/bolee-10-tys-odessitov-nesut-ogromnyy-flag-ukrainy-506435.html dead 31 March 2014 ru:Более 10 тысяч одесситов несут огромный флаг Украины (фото) Segodnya 30 March 2014 ruPoltava1,000+2 MarSevastopol300+9 Marhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/pro-ukraine-activists-attacked-crimea-201439162353480960.html Pro-Ukraine activists attacked in Crimea Al Jazeera 9 March 2014 24 July 2014https://newrepublic.com/article/116949/ukraine-crisis-news-roundup-march-9 Ukraine Crisis News Roundup: March 9 New Republic 9 March 2014 30 September 2014Simferopol10,00026 Febhttp://www.euronews.com/2014/02/26/crimean-tatar-protesters-protest-in-simferopol/ Crimean Tatar protesters protest in Simferopol | euronews, world news Euronews.com 26 February 2014 28 April 2014 19 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013120/http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/26/crimean-tatar-protesters-protest-in-simferopol/ dead Sumy10,000+2 MarНа улице в Сумах протестовать против России вышли 10 тысяч людей | УКРИНФОРМ https://web.archive.org/web/20140310212120/http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/na_ulitse_v_sumah_protestovat_protiv_rossii_vishli_10_tisyach_lyudey_1608599 10 March 2014. Ukrinform.ua (21 August 2013). Retrieved 1 May 2014.В Кривом Роге, Сумах и Полтаве также проходят многотысячные митинги против российской агрессии – Новости / ФРАЗА https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070454/http://fraza.ua/news/02.03.14/189700/v_krivom_roge_sumah_i_poltave_takzhe_prohodjat_mnogotysjachnye_mitingi_protiv_rossijskoj_agressii.html 7 April 2014 . Fraza.ua. Retrieved 1 May 2014.Zaporizhzhia5,000+2 MarВ Запорожье прошел митинг против вмешательства России (ФОТО, ОБНОВЛЕНО) | 061.ua – Новости Запорожья. 061.ua (25 March 2009). Retrieved 1 May 2014.В Запорожье прошел митинг против вмешательства России. ФОТОрепортаж – Запорожье, Крым, ОГА, Россия, Украина, Агрессия России против Украины (02.03.14 18:29) « Политика Украины. Censor.net.ua. Retrieved 1 May 2014.Zhytomyr2,0002 Marhttp://glavred.info/politika/po-ukraine-proshli-mitingi-protiv-vtorzheniya-rossii-opublikovany-foto-i-video-272790.html In Ukraine have been rallies against the invasion of Russia Glavred 2 March 2014 11 April 2014 13 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142625/http://glavred.info/politika/po-ukraine-proshli-mitingi-protiv-vtorzheniya-rossii-opublikovany-foto-i-video-272790.html dead Pro-Ukrainian protest sites: #0044c0 10,000+  #4184ff 5,000+  #81adff 1,000+  #c1d7ff 500+  #b2ffff <500 List of proclaimed breakaway states List of Self-Proclaimed Republics in Ukraine Various breakaway states were proclaimed during the unrest. thumb|240px|Rally of supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic on occasion of Victory Day held in Donetsk, 9 May 2014 Extant Donetsk People's Republic – Proclaimed by protestors on 7 April, with calls for Russia to send "peacekeepers" into Ukraine. Gunmen from Russia seized the interior ministry headquarters and two other police stations in Donetsk Oblast, occupying the transportation hub of Sloviansk, and starting a military conflict on 12 April.Plokhy Serhii The Russo-Ukrainian war: the return of history 2023 WW Norton 978-1-324-05119-0 New York, NY 125–126 Russian nationalists and Eurasianists gained control of the organization, and hastily organized an 11 May referendum on independence.http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/pro-russian-separatists-in-donetsk-begin-organizing-may-11-referendum/498247.html Pro-Russian Separatists in Donetsk Begin Organizing May 11 Referendum The Moscow Times 17 April 2014 10 May 2014 Luhansk People's Republic – The successor to the failed Luhansk Parliamentary Republic, proclaimed on 27 April. Activists occupied the SBU building in Luhansk from 8 April and gained control of the city council, prosecutor's office, and police station by 27 April. The regional administration announced its support for a referendum, and granted the governorship to separatist leader Valeriy Bolotov.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/luhansk-regional-council-backs-referendum-on-regions-status-346356.html Luhansk regional council backs referendum on region's status Kyiv Post 5 May 2014 6 May 2014 Like Donetsk, a referendum on the status of the region took place on 11 May.http://en.itar-tass.com/world/730536 Luhansk 'people's governor' orders referendum May 11 Information Telegraph Agency of Russia 5 May 2014 10 May 2014 Republic of Crimea Republic of Crimea – Proclaimed on 16 March.Borgen Christopher 14 May 2015 Law, Rhetoric, Strategy: Russia and Self-Determination Before and After Crimea https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/ils/vol91/iss1/7/ International Law Studies 91 1 2375-2831 After a disputed referendum on the political status of Crimea held on 16 March 2014, the Russian Federation annexed the Republic and split it back into the federal city of Sevastopol and the federal subject of the Republic of CrimeaSeptember 2024 y. Failed proposals Flag of the Kharkov People's Republic.svg Kharkov People's Republic – The Kharkov People's Republic was proclaimed on 7 April by a small group of pro-Russian separatists occupying the RSA building with Yevhen Zhylin as president. However, later that day, Ukrainian special forces retook the building, thereby ending the "Republic". Flag of the Odessa People's Republic.svg Odessa People's Republic – This republic was declared by an internet group on the Antimaidan website on 16 April, but local Antimaidan protesters said they had not made such a declaration.http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022611/ uk:Одеські сепаратисти в інтернеті оголосили "Одеську республіку" Ukrainian Pravda 16 April 2014 4 May 2014 ukhttp://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022625/ uk:Одеський Антимайдан божиться, що ніякої республіки не оголошував Ukrainian Pravda 16 April 2014 4 May 2014 uk Unlike in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Luhansk, pro-Russian protesters in Odesa said they wanted Odesa to be an autonomous region within Ukraine, rather than to join Russia. On 28 October, the SBU said they had foiled a plot to create a 'People's Republic' in the region. They found a munitions cache and arrested members of an alleged separatist group. They also said that Russian intelligence and security services were behind the plot.http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-says-it-uncovered-plot-to-create-people-s-republic-in-odessa/510177.html Ukraine Says It Uncovered Plot to Create People's Republic in Odessa 28 October 2014 The Moscow Times 21 November 2014 Novorossiya (confederation) New Russia Party Novorossiya – In May 2014, the New Russia Party announced their plans to seize the southeastern oblasts of Ukraine, namely Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa, and combine them into an independent, pro-Russian state known as New Russia (ru Новороссия Novorossiya yes).Sokol A.D. 2014 The Status of Novorossiya https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/api/file/viewByFileId/1103708 The Way of Science II 9 (9) 130–132 6 April 2025uk In Donetsk, created the party "New Russia", Ukrayinska Pravda (23 May 2014)13 November 2014 BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Timeline https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 16 February 2015 BBC NewsTruce in Ukraine violated, but holding for now, Special Broadcasting Service (8 September 2014) After February 2015, the status of Novorossiya was unclear. Former DPR prime minister Alexander Borodai said on 1 January 2015 that "there is no Novorossiya", and that the proposed confederation was "an idea, a dream" "that wasn't brought to life".http://belsat.eu/en/articles/ex-prime-minister-unrecognised-donetsk-republic-theres-no-novorossiya-its-false-start/ Ex-prime minister of unrecognised Donetsk republic: There's no 'Novorossiya', but a false start belsat.eu 2 January 2015 3 January 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150102212352/http://www.belsat.eu//en/articles/ex-prime-minister-unrecognised-donetsk-republic-theres-no-novorossiya-its-false-start/ 2 January 2015http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/11/is-this-the-end-of-putin-s-new-russia-fantasy.html Is This The End of Putin's 'New Russia' Fantasy? thedailybeast.com 11 January 2015 12 January 2015 Nemtsova Anna However, the Parliament of Novorossiya, chaired by Oleg Tsarov, continued to function as an office for political advancement,http://ej.ru/?a=note&id=26955 ru:Медиафрения. Телешоу "Бегущая страна" ru 27 January 2015 11 February 2015 Yezhednevny Zhurnal and was involved in the coordination of humanitarian assistance on 2 February 2015.http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2322906&cid=17 ru:В ростовскую больницу из Донецка доставлена раненная при обстреле девушка ru 2 February 2015 11 February 2015 Vesti.ru The armed forces of the two People's Republics were combined in the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya,http://tass.ru/en/world/749812 Donetsk, Luhansk armies to form armed forces 16 September 2014 11 February 2015 TASS and the war flag of Novorossiya (Novorossiya battle) remained in widespread usage. On 20 May 2015, the separatist leaders announced the termination of the confederation "project".http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html Russian-backed 'Novorossiya' breakaway movement collapses Ukraine Today 20 May 2015 21 May 2015http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml ru:Проект «Новороссия» закрыт Project "New Russia" is closed ru Gazeta.ru 20 May 2015 21 May 2015 International response reactions specific to the secession crisis in Crimea International reactions to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation reactions specific to the war in Donbas region International reactions to the war in Donbas Various international entities warned all sides to reduce tensions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. Armenia – In late March, Armenian President Serj Sargsyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation where both men stated that the Crimean referendum constituted a case of people exercising their right to self-determination via the free expression of will. At the same time, the presidents highlighted the importance of commitment to the norms and principles of international law, especially the UN Charter.http://commonspace.eu/eng/armenia/6/id2949 Armenia hails Crimea referendum. The Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan spoke on the phone with President Putin Commonspace.eu 20 March 2014 6 January 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141108081630/http://commonspace.eu/eng/armenia/6/id2949 8 November 2014 Australia – On 2 March, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that Russia's actions in Ukraine were "not the kind... of a friend, and neighbour and I think Russia should back off."Ukraine: Tony Abbott tells Russia to 'back off' http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ukraine-tony-abbott-tells-russia-to-back-off-20140302-33tiy.html The Sydney Morning Herald 2 March 2014 2 March 2014 The Prime Minister told the Australian House of Representatives on 3 March that "Russia should back off, it should withdraw its forces from Ukraine, and people of Ukraine ought to be able to determine their future themselves", with the Australian government cancelling a planned visit to Russia by the Trade Minister Andrew Robb.Tony Abbott condemns Russia's 'unprovoked aggression' in Ukraine https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/foreign-affairs/tony-abbott-condemns-russias-unprovoked-aggression-in-ukraine/news-story/ddd0273de4ec4f7c0d8c0bf0e4563759 The Australian 3 March 2014 2014-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303184158/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/tony-abbott-condemns-russias-unprovoked-aggression-in-ukraine/story-fn59nm2j-1226843267794 subscription live 3 March 2014 Canada – On 28 Feb, Foreign Minister Baird "emphasized the need to honour the 1994 Budapest Declaration's commitment to Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and national unity".http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2014/02/28a.aspx?lang=eng Baird Promotes Territorial Integrity and National Unity in Ukraine International.gc.ca 28 February 2014 2 March 2014 On a 1 March phone call, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper "affirmed the importance of unity within the international community in support of international law and the future of Ukraine and its democracy."https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/01/readout-president-obama-s-calls-president-hollande-and-prime-minister-ha Readout of President Obama's calls with President Hollande and Prime Minister Harper 1 April 2013 National Archives White House 2 March 2014 Harper condemned Russia's military intervention in Ukraine; he announced that Canada had both recalled its ambassador to Russia and withdrawn from the 40th G8 summit, which was to be chaired by Russia.http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-canada-u-s-tell-russia-to-withdraw-forces-1.2556228 Ukraine crisis: Canada, U.S. tell Russia to withdraw forces Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 1 March 2014 1 March 2014 On 3 March, the House of Commons passed a unanimous motion condemning Russia's intervention in Crimea.https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/mps-strongly-condemn-russias-actions-in-ukraine/ MPs 'strongly condemn' Russia's actions in Ukraine CTV News 3 March 2014 6 March 2014 Harper called Russia's actions an "invasion and occupation", and Baird compared them to Nazi Germany's occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-suspends-military-activities-with-russia/article17289679/ Harper compares Russia's Crimea moves to Third Reich aggression Steven Chase The Globe and Mail 4 March 2014 6 March 2014 Canada suspended all military cooperation with Russia, andhttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ukraines-flag-flown-on-parliament-hill/article17269823/ Ukraine's flag flown on Parliament Hill Steven Chase The Globe and Mail 4 March 2014 6 March 2014https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/canada-suspends-military-activity-with-russia-effective-immediately/ Canada suspends military activity with Russia 'effective immediately' Andrea Janus CTV News 4 March 2014 6 March 2014 asked Russian military servicemen (at least nine) to leave its territory in 24 hours.Canada gives Russian military 24 hours to leave country https://web.archive.org/web/20140713055736/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/canada_gives_russian_military_24_hours_to_leave_country_318246 13 July 2014. Ukrinform. 7 March 2014 China – China said "We respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine." A spokesman restated China's belief of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and urged dialogue.FlorCruz Jaime Russia may find ally in China – albeit a passive one for now http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/05/world/asia/china-russia-ukraine-analysis/ 5 March 2014 CNN 6 March 2014Economy Elizabeth China's Soft 'Nyet' To Russia's Ukraine Intervention https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabetheconomy/2014/03/05/chinas-soft-nyet-to-russias-ukraine-intervention/ 5 March 2014 Forbes 6 March 2014 European Union – On 1 March, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated that the EU "deplores" what it called Russia's decision to use military action in Ukraine, describing it as an "unwarranted escalation of tensions." She called on "all sides to decrease the tensions immediately through dialogue in full respect of Ukrainian and international law." She added that: the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected at all times and by all sides. Any violation of these principles, is unacceptable. More than ever, restraint and sense of responsibility are needed."Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the developments in Ukraine's Crimea http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140301_01_en.pdf 1 March 2014 1 March 2014 EU External Action Brussels Germany – In response to the detention of the German-led international military verification mission, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated: "The public parading of the OSCE observers and Ukrainian security forces as prisoners is revolting and blatantly hurts the dignity of the victims."https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27180103 Ukraine crisis: Military observer freed in Sloviansk BBC News 27 April 2014 27 April 2014http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2014/140427-Ukraine.html Außenminister Steinmeier zur Lage in Slawjansk (Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the situation in Sloviansk) Federal Foreign Office 27 April 2014 27 April 2014 de Steinmeier also said: "Only when the guns fall silent, only on the basis of a robust ceasefire, are negotiations on resolving the crisis imaginable"."Ukraine conflict: Civilians killed as truce collapses". BBC News. 2 July 2014. Hungary – In the context of the unrest, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that ethnic Hungarians living in western Ukraine "must be granted dual citizenship, must enjoy all of the community rights, and must be granted the opportunity for autonomy".http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-05-12/orban-demands-autonomy-for-hungarians-in-ukraine-as-unrest-stirs Orban Demands Autonomy for Hungarians in Ukraine as Unrest Stirs Bloomberg Businessweek 12 May 2014 13 May 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140522231021/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-05-12/orban-demands-autonomy-for-hungarians-in-ukraine-as-unrest-stirs 22 May 2014 India – National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon of India stated that Russia has legitimate interests in Crimea and called for "sustained diplomatic efforts" and "constructive dialogue" to resolve the crisis.Russia has legitimate interests in Ukraine: Shivshankar Menon, NSA http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/russia-has-legitimate-interests-in-ukraine-shivshankar-menon-nsa/articleshow/31546699.cms 7 March 2014 The Economic Times 6 March 2014 However, the National Security Advisor is not a part of the Cabinet of India, and as such, Menon's statement was not an official statement issued by the government of India."However, when questioned, national security adviser Shivshankar Menon said..." (source) India subsequently made it clear that it will not support any "unilateral measures" against the Russian government. "India has never supported unilateral sanctions against any country. Therefore, we will also not support any unilateral measures by a country or a group of countries."India not to support western sanctions against Russia http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-not-to-support-western-sanctions-against-Russia/articleshow/32307749.cms The Times of India 19 March 2014 thumb|Against NATO involvement in Ukraine. Donetsk, 9 March 2014 Italy – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi accused Putin of having committed "an unacceptable violation".http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/renzi-ammonisce-russia-violazione-inacettabile-997741.html Renzi ammonisce la Russia: "Una violazione inacettabile" 2 March 2014 1 October 2014http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/esteri/11560140/L-Italia---Sovranita-violata.html L'Italia: "Sovranità violata in Crimea, inaccettabile" 1 October 2014 On 19 March, during a speech in the Chamber of Deputies, Renzi stated that the Crimean status referendum was illegal and that the G8 countries must start cooperating to solve the crisis and prevent a return to the Cold War.https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2014/03/19/matteo-renzi-camera_n_4991717.html Matteo Renzi alla Camera: "Illegittimo il referendum in Crimea" Matteo Renzi in the Chamber of Deputies: "The Crimean referendum is illegitimate." HuffPost 19 March 2014 it NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization – On 2 March, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen convened the North Atlantic Council due to what it called Russia's military action and President Vladimir Putin's alleged threats against Ukraine.http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/opinions_107663.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20140310182415/http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/opinions_107663.htm 10 March 2014 dead NATO - News: Doorstep statement by the NATO Secretary General before the meetings of the North Atlantic Council and the NATO-Ukraine Commission, 02-Mar.-2014 28 June 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE chairman-in-office Didier Burkhalter condemned the detention of military inspectors from OSCE participating states in Sloviansk and requested that they be released.http://www.osce.org/node/118047/ Swiss OSCE Chair calls for release of abducted military inspectors, OSCE working at all levels for setting them free Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 27 April 2014 28 April 2014 Bern Burkhalter emphasized that the detention of the unarmed military inspectors was "unacceptable" and that "the safety of all international observers in the country must be guaranteed and ensured." This incident, he said, "goes against the spirit of the recent Geneva Statement agreed upon by Ukraine, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the European Union, aiming at de-escalating the situation and leading the way out of the challenging situation". Burkhalter asked involved parties "to resolve the crisis in Ukraine through inclusive dialogue." In response to escalation across Ukraine on 2 May, OSCE Chief Monitor Ertugrul Apakan called for "all sides to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid bloodshed and solve their differences peacefully." Apakan said, "There is a need for de-escalation...the Special Monitoring Mission is here to promote this objective. We are here for the people of Ukraine."http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/118264 OSCE Chief Monitor calls for end to violence in Ukraine Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 2 May 2014 3 May 2014 Kyiv Poland – Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said that the events in Ukraine "have the features of a situation of war".wiechosta http://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1116732,Siemoniak-o-sytuacji-na-Ukrainie-to-wojna-domowa Siemoniak o sytuacji na Ukrainie: to wojna domowa – Wiadomości polskieradio.pl 5 May 2014 13 May 2014 Romania – A harsh exchange of words between officials in Moscow and Bucharest erupted in the context of the Ukrainian crisis. Dmitry Rogozin, deputy prime minister of the Russian government and one of the senior Russian officials sanctioned by the European Union and the United States, stated on a social networking website that "upon the U.S. request, Romania has closed its airspace for my plane. Ukraine doesn't allow me to pass through again. Next time I'll fly on board TU-160."https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/10/russian-deputy-pm-bomber-tweet-romania-dmitry-rogozin Russian deputy PM sends bomber tweet after Romania airspace ban The Guardian 10 May 2014 Rogozin's statements have irritated the authorities in Bucharest that catalogued them as a threat.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-romania-russia-idUSBREA4905X20140510 Romania queries Moscow after deputy PM sends bomber jet tweets Reuters Luiza Illie 10 May 2014http://www.dw.de/romania-demands-explanation-over-russian-threat/a-17627761 Romania demands explanation over Russian threat Deutsche Welle 11 May 2014 thumb|Protester against the Russian government holding an image portraying Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev as Nazis with a swastika made of colours of the Ribbon of Saint George and a Russian coat of arms in the centre, Odesa Russian Federation – The Russian Foreign Ministry stated in an 8 April 2014 statement on its official website, "We are calling for the immediate cessation of any military preparations, which could lead to civil war". The ministry alleged that what it called "American experts from the private military organization Greystone" disguised as soldiers, as well as militants from the Ukrainian far-right group Right Sector, had joined Ukrainian forces preparing for the crackdown in eastern Ukraine.Russia warns of civil war if Ukraine uses force to quell eastern revolts, CNN (8 April 2014) In a 7 April opinion piece in The Guardian, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov wrote it was the EU and US, and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilizing Ukraine ("the EU and US have been trying to compel Ukraine to make a painful choice between east and west, further aggravating internal differences") and that "Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine."Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk, The Guardian (7 April 2014)Sergei Lavrov: It's not Russia that is destabilising Ukraine, The Guardian (7 April 2014)Ukraine crisis: Bid to retake buildings seized by separatists, BBC News (8 April 2014) Russian president Vladimir Putin did not send his regards to Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko for the Independence Day of Ukraine celebration on 24 August, despite the fact that Poroshenko had sent his regards to Putin for Russia Day on 12 June. Putin also said: "What are the so-called European values? Maintaining the coup, the armed seizure of power, and the suppression of dissent with the help of the armed forces?""Ukraine dismisses Russia's call for cease-fire". Boston Globe. 1 September 2014. Ukraine – Acting President Olexander Turchynov said on 30 April "I would like to say frankly that at the moment the security structures are unable to swiftly take the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions back under control", and that security forces "tasked with the protection of citizens" were "helpless".https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27222023 Ukraine unrest: Kiev 'helpless' to quell parts of east BBC News 30 April 2014 30 April 2014 On 7 April an "anti-terrorist" operation against militants was started in the Luhansk and Donetsk self-proclaimed republics.http://vesti.ua/strana/46250-turchinov-objavil-o-nachale-antiterroristicheskoj-operacii-na-jugo-vostoke-ukrainy Турчинов объявил о начале антитеррористической операции на юго-востоке Украины; Страна; Вести ВЕСТИ 7 April 2014 vesti.ua 28 June 2014 United Kingdom – In response to the Russian government's declared outrage over a Ukrainian counteroffensive on Sloviansk, British Ambassador to the United Nations Sir Mark Lyall Grant said, "The scale of Russian hypocrisy is breathtaking...Russia's synthetic indignation over Ukraine's proportionate and measured actions convinces no one".http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0502/614765-ukraine/ 38 killed in building fire in Ukraine's Odessa Raidió Teilifís Éireann 2 May 2014 3 May 2014 United Nations – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence that occurred in Eastern Ukraine over the weekend of 14–16 March and urged all parties "to refrain from violence and to commit themselves to de-escalation and inclusive national dialogue in the pursuit of a political and diplomatic solution."https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47366&Cr=ukraine&Cr1=#.UyeF2s7j_1U Ukraine: Ban 'deeply concerned' Crimea vote will worsen complex, tense situation United Nations News 17 March 2014 18 March 2014 United States – US Secretary of State John Kerry stated (on 7 April 2014) that he thought the conflict in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol was a carefully orchestrated campaign with Russian support.Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic', BBC News (7 April 2014)Daily Press Briefing: 7 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140408224534/http://m.state.gov/md224477.htm 8 April 2014. M.state.gov (7 April 2014). Retrieved 2014-05-01. Assistant US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said that the United States had no doubt that Russians were behind the takeovers of government buildings in eastern Ukraine.Senior U.S. diplomat: no doubt Russians involved in Ukraine unrest. Reuters (9 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, United States Ambassador to Ukraine, characterized the militants as terrorists.Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow . Voice of America.com (14 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 30 April, John Kerry stated that phone-tap evidence proved that the Kremlin was directing pro-Russian protests in the region.Ben Hoyle subscription http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/phone-taps-show-kremlin-directed-prorussian-thugs-in-ukraine-john-kerry-says/story-fnb64oi6-1226900573929 Phone taps show Kremlin directed pro-Russian thugs in Ukraine, John Kerry says The Australian 30 April 2014 30 April 2014October 2026 medicmedic On Monday, 7 July, the governments of the United States and France urged Russian president Vladimir Putin to put pressure on pro-Russian insurgents in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and to hold dialogue to reach a ceasefire with the Ukrainian government. Sanctions thumb|US Dollar / Russian Ruble exchange rate, 2001–2022 The Russian ruble lost a lot of value vs the USD during the conflict International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War During the course of the unrest, the United States, followed by the European Union, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and Japan, began to sanction Russian individuals and companies that they said were related to the crisis.http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-provokes-more-economic-sanctions-against-russia-1.2639779 Ukraine crisis provokes more economic sanctions against Russia CBC News 13 May 2014 15 May 2014https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/world/asia/obama-sanctions-russia.html?hpw&rref=world&_r=0 U.S. Announces More Sanctions Against Russia The New York Times 28 April 2014 28 April 2014http://en.itar-tass.com/world/730965 ITAR-TASS: World – Russia not to leave US, Canadian sanctions without response — Foreign Ministry Information Telegraph Agency of Russia 15 May 2014http://en.ria.ru/world/20140428/189430922/US-Imposes-Sanctions-on-7-Russians-17-Russian-Companies---White.html US Imposes Sanctions on 7 Russians, 17 Russian Companies Russian News & Information Agency 28 April 2014 28 April 2014https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/17/fact-sheet-ukraine-related-sanctions FACT SHEET: Ukraine-Related Sanctions 17 March 2014 14 May 2014 National Archives White House Office of the Press Secretaryhttps://www.news.admin.ch/en/nsb?id=52856 Ukraine: List of persons extended news.admin.ch 15 May 2014 Announcing the first sanctions, the United States described some individuals targeted by sanctions, among them former Ukrainian president Yanukovych, as "threatening the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine and for undermining Ukraine's democratic institutions and processes." The Russian government responded in kind with sanctions against some American and Canadian individuals. With the unrest continuing to escalate, the European Union and Canada imposed further sanctions in mid-May.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10826465/Ukraine-crisis-EU-expand-sanction-list-to-keep-pressure-on-Russia.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10826465/Ukraine-crisis-EU-expand-sanction-list-to-keep-pressure-on-Russia.html 12 January 2022 subscription live Ukraine crisis: EU expand sanction list to keep pressure on Russia The Daily Telegraph 11 May 2014 15 May 2014 Geneva Statement on Ukraine On 10 April, Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and the European Union agreed to hold a 17 April quadrilateral meeting in Geneva to try to negotiate an end to the crisis in Ukraine.Russia, EU, Ukraine, U.S. to meet in Geneva next week for talks, Reuters (10 April 2014) The meeting produced a document, called the Geneva Statement on Ukraine, which stated that all sides agreed that steps should be taken to "de-escalate" the crisis.https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/04/224957.htm Geneva Statement on Ukraine U.S. Department of State 17 April 2014 21 April 2014 All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated. Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes. It was agreed that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should play a leading role in assisting Ukrainian authorities and local communities in the immediate implementation of these de-escalation measures wherever they are needed most, beginning in the coming days. The U.S., EU and Russia commit to support this mission, including by providing monitors. The announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine's regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments. The participants underlined the importance of economic and financial stability in Ukraine and would be ready to discuss additional support as the above steps are implemented.Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva, BBC News (17 April 2014) All four parties agreed that all "illegal military formations in Ukraine" must be dissolved and that everyone occupying buildings must be disarmed and leave but that there would be an amnesty for all anti-government protesters under the agreement. These steps will be overseen by monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The sides also agreed that the Constitution of Ukraine is also to be revised in a process that is "inclusive, transparent, and accountable." The agreement put on hold additional economic sanctions against Russia by the United States and the European Union.Ukraine crisis: Geneva talks produce agreement on defusing conflict, The Guardian (17 April 2014) National unity talks As part of an OSCE initiative to solve the crisis in Ukraine, national unity talks were held in Kyiv, starting from 14 May.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27403109 Ukraine crisis: Kiev talks open without rebels BBC News 14 May 2014 14 May 2014 Separatists from Donetsk and Luhansk were not represented, as the Ukrainian government said that "those armed people who are trying to wage a war on their own country, those who are with arms in their hands trying to dictate their will, or rather the will of another country, we will use legal procedures against them, and they will face justice."September 2026 not in cited https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27403109 The OSCE said that Russian president Vladimir Putin supported its initiative. Concurrently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the separatists should be included in the talks. Separatists from Kharkiv were indeed invited to attend, but they refused to participate.East Ukraine's Kharkov region to hold independence referendum - movement "Southeast", Information Telegraph Agency of Russia (18 May 2014) Fifteen-point peace plan thumb|Demonstrators for peace in Ukraine, in Paris. Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko announced a fifteen-point plan for peace on 20 June.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/petro-poroshenko-unveils-peace-plan-during-visit-to-east-352786.html Poroshenko unveils peace plan during visit to Ukraine's restive east Kyiv Post 20 June 2014 23 June 2014 The plan called for a week-long ceasefire, starting on 20 June, for the separatists to vacate the buildings they've occupied, for decentralization of power from the central government in Kyiv, and for the protection of Russian-language rights. The full text of the fifteen points are as follows:http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/30566.html Peaceful plan of the President of Ukraine on the settlement of the situation in eastern regions of Ukraine Office of the President of Ukraine 20 June 2014 23 June 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140622072027/http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/30566.html 22 June 2014 Security guarantees for all the participants of negotiations. Amnesty for those who laid down weapons and didn't commit serious crimes. Liberation of hostages. Establishment of a 10 km mi on 8 long buffer zone on the Ukrainian-Russian border. Withdrawal of illegal armed formations. Secure corridor for the escape of Russian and Ukrainian mercenaries. Disarmament. Establishment of units for joint patrolling in the structure of the MIA. Liberation of illegally seized administrative premises in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Restoration of functioning of local government. Restoration of central television and radio broadcasting in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. thumb|Anti-war demonstration in St. Petersburg, 1 May 2014 Decentralization of power (through the election of executive committees, protection of the Russian language; draft amendments to the Constitution). Coordination of governors with representatives of the Donbas before the elections Early local and parliamentary elections. Program for creating jobs in the region. Restoration of social and industrial infrastructure. Russian president Vladimir Putin offered some support for the plan but called for Poroshenko to bring the separatists into negotiations.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSKBN0EW0EH20140622 Poroshenko's Ukraine peace plan gets limited support from Putin Reuters 21 June 2014 23 June 2014 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Poroshenko's peace plan "looks like an ultimatum".http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/lavrov-criticizes-absence-of-negotiations-clause-in-poroshenko-peace-plan-352848.html Lavrov criticizes absence of negotiations clause in Poroshenko peace plan Kyiv Post 21 June 2014 27 July 2014 Poroshenko previously refused to enter into negotiations with armed separatists.http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/22/poroshenko-spells-out-peace-plan-but-ukraine-truce-fails-to-stop-fighting/ Poroshenko spells out peace plan but Ukraine truce fails to stop fighting Euronews 22 June 2014 23 June 2014 23 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140623040022/http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/22/poroshenko-spells-out-peace-plan-but-ukraine-truce-fails-to-stop-fighting/ dead OSCE monitors with the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine met with a representative of the Donetsk People's Republic on 21 June to discuss the peace plan.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120113 Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine based on information received until 22 June 2014 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 23 June 2014 23 June 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151122133303/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120113 22 November 2015 The representative said that the Republic would reject the ceasefir and said that the primary demands of the government of the Donetsk People's Republic were "withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas" and recognition of the Republic. However, after initial peace talks between the separatists, Ukrainian and Russian officials, and the OSCE in Donetsk on 23 June, Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the Donetsk People's Republic, said that his forces would hold to the ceasefire.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27987156 Ukraine separatists 'to join truce', rebel leader says BBC News 23 June 2014 23 June 2014 Soon after this statement, separatists in Sloviansk shot down a Ukrainian Armed Forces Mi-8 helicopter, killing all those on board.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28011179 Ukraine foes cast doubt on ceasefire BBC News 24 June 2014 25 June 2014 The next day, the Office of the President of Ukraine issued a statement that said that the ceasefire had been violated by the insurgents at least thirty-five times. President Poroshenko also said that he was considering ending the ceasefire, and Borodai said that there was not an effective ceasefire. Despite this, Poroshenko extended the ceasefire by three days from its planned ending on 27 June.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28095083 Ukraine and Russia agree to work on truce extension BBC News 30 June 2014 30 June 2014 In response to this action, protesters in Kyiv took the streets in large numbers to demand that the ceasefire be cancelled. The ceasefire had little actual impact on clashes between government and separatist forces, with at least five government soldiers killed during the ceasefire. By July, the peace plan had fallen by the wayside, and Poroshenko ended the ceasefire after both sides accused each other of repeated violations. After a rocket attack that killed nineteen Ukrainian troops, Poroshenko vowed to take revenge on the separatists: "Militants will pay hundreds of their lives for each life of our servicemen. Not a single terrorist will avoid responsibility.""Ukraine president vows revenge after 19 soldiers killed in rebel rocket attack". The Washington Post. 11 July 2014. Participants December 2014 section Activists and Russian security personnel thumb|A rally in support of pro-Russian unrest in the eastern Ukraine, Moscow, 11 June 2014 Igor Girkin (Russian security officer, leader of the armed group of Russian soldiers seizing Slavyansk) http://www.bbc.com/russian/russia/2015/04/150420_strelkov_lecture_academy Речь Стрелкова-Гиркина в московском вузе вызвала скандал Strelkov lecture in academy Виктор Нехезин Би-би-си Москва 20 April 2015 Pavel Gubarev (self-proclaimed 'People's Governor' of Donetsk)Pro-Moscow protest leader arrested in Ukraine's Donetsk. Reuters (6 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. Robert Donya (self-proclaimed deputy 'People's Governor' of Donesk)СБУ задержала заместителя донецкого сепаратиста Губарева : Новости УНИАН. Unian.net. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Mikhail Chumachenko (leader of the self-styled 'Donbas People's Militia')Associated, The. (22 March 2014) Russian troops storm last Ukrainian base in Crimea Israel News. Haaretz. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Dmitry Kuzmenko (self-proclaimed 'People's Mayor' of Mariupol)«Народный мэр» Мариуполя Дмитрий Кузьменко задержан сотрудниками СБУ | 0629.com.ua – Новости Мариуполя. 0629.com.ua (16 February 2006). Retrieved 1 May 2014.July 2014 Anton Davidchenko (leader of Odesa protest until March)Боротьбисты в Одессе вышли под управление СБУ с требованием освободить Давидченко. Borotba.org. Retrieved 1 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140323143047/http://borotba.org/borotbistyi_v_odesse_vyishli_pod_upravlenie_sbu_s_trebovaniem_osvobodit_davidchenko.html 23 March 2014 Aleksandr Kharitonov (leader of 'Luhansk Guard' organization)"The people's governor" Kharitonov was detained in Lugansk | Новости Украины. Nahnews.com.ua (14 March 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140316011510/http://nahnews.com.ua/the-peoples-governor-kharitonov-was-detained-in-lugansk/ 16 March 2014 Arsen Klinchaev (member of the Party of Regions, leader of separatists in Luhansk) Yuri Apukhtin pl Jurij Apuchtin (leader of the banned 'South-East' organization; Apukhtin is in detention, and his trial started late May 2015 in Kharkiv)http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/politika/27.05.2015/odnomu_iz_liderov_harkovskih_separatistov_prodlili_soderzhanie_pod_strazhej/ ru:Одному из лидеров харьковских сепаратистов продлили содержание под стражей One of the leaders of the Kharkiv separatists has had his detention prolonged ru Status Quo 27 May 2015 Former adviser to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington, DC, Andrey Illarionov estimates that at least 2,000 Russian intelligence officials were operating in eastern Ukraine.http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/12/putin-can-take-ukraine-without-an-invasion-and-probably-will.html The Daily Beast Putin Can Take Ukraine Without an Invasion, and Probably Will Dettmer Jamie 12 April 2014 30 April 2014 Ukrainian intelligence claims that it had a dossier on more than forty Russian military intelligence, or GRU, operatives arrested so far on Ukrainian soil and the weapons and ammunition seized after being transported across the border from Russia. The file was said to describe the role of an alleged GRU colonel, Igor Ivanovich Strielkov, who had been involved in agitation in the east, including his attempts to suborn Ukrainian soldiers with offers of cash.http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/19/ukraine-foreign-minister-speaks-of-mistrust-and-a-truce.html Ukraine Foreign Minister Speaks of Mistrust—and a Truce The Daily Beast Dettmer Jamie 19 April 2014 30 April 2014 The Ukrainian Security Service put out a wanted poster for Strielkov, accusing him of a series of charges, including premeditated murder and organizing mass riots.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pro-russian-separatists-block-monitors-from-buildings-in-east-ukraine-diplomats-say/2014/04/21/6276ae4a-c966-11e3-93eb-6c0037dde2ad_story.html Pro-Russian separatists block monitors from buildings in east Ukraine, diplomats say De Young Karen 21 April 2014 30 April 2014 The Washington Post Russia insisted that the allegations were false and that a Streilkov did not even exist or "at least not as a Russian operative sent to Ukraine with orders to stir up trouble".https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/21/world/europe/photos-link-masked-men-in-east-ukraine-to-russia.html Photos Link Masked Men in East Ukraine to Russia Andrew Higgins Michael R. Gordon Andrew E. Kramer The New York Times 20 April 2014 3 May 2014 CNN presented a video from a large separatist rally held in a central Donetsk city square around lunchtime on 26 May. Lorries in the square carried armed Chechen paramilitaries. Two told a CNN team they were from the Chechen capital, Grozny, and one indicated that he was formerly a policeman in Chechnya and was in Donetsk to serve the Russian Federation. Ukraine votes for new president, CNN 25 May 2014http://argumentua.com/reportazh/fotografii-iz-telefona-podstrelennogo-v-donetske-kadyrovtsa-rabotnika-mvd-rossii Фотографии из телефона подстреленного в Донецке "кадыровца" - работника МВД России Argument 29 May 2014 20 June 2014 Russian and Ukrainian media published numerous reports on bodies of separatists being transported secretly back to Russia, usually through Uspenka. A few names of the killed volunteers were established—Sergey Zhdanovich (Сергей Жданович), Yuri Abrosimov (Юрий Абросимов), Aleksey Yurin (Алексей Юрин), Alexandr Efremov (Александр Ефремов), and Evgeny Korolenko (Евгений Короленко). The bodies were transported to a Russian military base in Rostov-on-Don. Some of the families were able to get the bodies secretly returned to them. Most of the killed had past military experience. According to the journalists, Russian military commissariats (voyenkomat) in Rostov were actively recruiting volunteers for Donbas among former soldiers, especially with specific skills (ATGM, SAM, AGS-17) and those who had previously served in Chechnya and Afghanistan.Yelena Kostiuchenko http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/64052.html ru:Ваш муж добровольно пошел под обстрел Your husband went under fire voluntarily ru 18 June 2014 Novaya Gazeta 20 June 2014 10 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220310191918/https://novayagazeta.ru/inquests/64052.html deadhttp://www.novayagazeta.ru/politics/63873.html ru:Груз 200. Продолжение Cargo 200. Continued ru Maria Turchenkova 60 4 June 2014 Novaya Gazeta 3 July 2015 28 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140628021344/https://novayagazeta.ru/politics/63873.html dead On 18 June Daniel Baer (OSCE) noted that "there continue to be fighters and arms coming across the border from Russia to Ukraine in recent days and weeks, and we don't see any efforts to turn it off by Russia".http://www.firstpost.com/world/osce-demands-immediate-unconditional-release-ukraine-hostages-1576477.html 2014 First Post article First Post Russian citizens Alexander Dugin On 29 March, Russian political scientist Aleksandr Dugin appeared in a leaked Skype video conference with Kateryna Gubareva, the wife of Donetsk-based separatist Pavel Gubarev. In the call, he reassured her of Moscow's support and further actions that should be taken by the movement. He also stated all presidential nominees should be considered 'traitors,' with only Yanukovych considered legitimate. He also said that separatists should "act in a radical way" and Moscow will later support civil war in Ukraine, saying, "The Kremlin is determined to fight for the independence of southeast Ukraine."Alexander Dugin: The Crazy Ideologue of the New Russian Empire, The Daily Beast (2 April 2014)Known Russian Fascist Aleksandr Dugin Instructs Ukrainian Separatists | Voices of Ukraine. Maidantranslations.com (2 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. Following the video's release, a member of Dugin's Eurasian Youth Union (Oleg Bakhtiyarov) was arrested on 31 March for planning terrorist acts in Ukraine. Pro-government figures thumb|Valentyn Nalyvaichenko (speaking), the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and Andriy Parubiy (far left), 23 March 2014 Nadiya Savchenko (uk Надія Савченко) is a Ukrainian ex-paratrooper and a helicopter navigator who was captured by the separatists as a member of Aydar battalion (at that time a paramilitary formation of the Ministry of Defense) near Luhansk. After being captured in June, the separatists published a video of her interrogation and held her hostage. Savchenko was the subject of a number of articles in Komsomolskaya Pravda by Nikolai Varsegov, who accused her of being a sniper and mass killer.http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-new-ordeal-of-nadia-savchenko The New Ordeal of Nadia Savchenko 2014 Atlantic Council dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140712200317/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-new-ordeal-of-nadia-savchenko 12 July 2014 In July, the Russian government officials said that Savchenko had "illegally crossed Russian border as refugee", was stopped by Russian police, and is faced with a trial for alleged assistance in the murder of two Russian journalists.http://ua.krymr.com/content/article/25451333.html Москва "зробила" з української льотчиці Надії Савченко "біженку" і "терориста" 2014 Krym. Reali Being finally allowed to see the Ukrainian consul, Savchenko said that she was transported to Russia against her will.http://www.unian.net/politics/940470-savchenko-podtverdila-konsulu-chto-ee-nasilno-vyivezli-v-rossiyu-s-meshkom-na-golove.html Савченко подтвердила консулу, что ее насильно вывезли в Россию - с мешком на голове 2014 Ukrainian Independent Information Agency Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council chief Andriy Parubiy oversaw the government military operation against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.Parubiy says anti-terrorist operation will continue as separatists in Luhansk, Donetsk reject Putin's call to postpone referendum, Kyiv Post (8 May 2014) As part of the Budapest memorandum participants, Parubiy appealed for assistance from the United States as one of the signatories."Ukraine Needs Immediate U.S. Military Aid". The Wall Street Journal. 15 May 2014. He said, "The counterterrorist operation will go on regardless of any decisions by any subversive or terrorist groups in the Donetsk region"."Ukraine's Separatists To Proceed With Vote, Despite Putin". NPR. 8 May 2014 Parubiy also said, "The key tactic of Russian saboteurs is to capture a building, station an armed garrison there, and have a picket around, mostly Communists, who would provide a human shield.""Ukraine Military Finds Its Footing Against Pro-Russian Rebels". The New York Times. 6 July 2014. Parubiy resigned as National Security and Defence Council chief on 7 August 2014.Parubiy steps down as secretary of Ukraine's NSDC, Interfax-Ukraine (7 August 2014)Poroshenko signs decree dismissing Parubiy as NSDC secretary, Interfax-Ukraine (7 August 2014) Andriy Biletsky, the head of the Social-National Assembly and Patriots of Ukraine (perceived by some experts as the ultranationalist and neo-Nazi political groups),"Ukraine conflict: 'White power' warrior from Sweden". BBC News. 16 July 2014. is commander of the Azov Battalion."Ukraine crisis: the neo-Nazi brigade fighting pro-Russian separatists". The Daily Telegraph. 11 August 2014. Other foreign participants Chechen, Abkhaz, Ossetian, and Cossack paramilitaries have been active participants in the insurgency in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/ukraine.html?_r=3&gwh=EF52C4275D611FF09A7D3090E7BDDE1E&gwt=pay&assetType=nyt_now Russians Revealed Among Ukraine Fighters The New York Times 27 May 2014 24 June 2014 https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-i-was-a-separatist-fighter/25455466.html Interview: I Was A Separatist Fighter In Ukraine Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 13 July 2014 Some Chechen opponents of the Russian government were fighting against pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine for the Ukrainian government.http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/chechens-join-ukraine-fight-against-russian-backed-separatists-1.2038767 Chechens join Ukraine fight against Russian-backed separatists The Irish Times 16 December 2014 The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released an audio recording on 5 May that they said was a phone call between a Donetsk separatist leader and the leader of the far-right paramilitary Russian National Unity group Alexander Barkashov. In the recording, the separatist said he wanted to postpone the referendum, due to the DPR's inability to control all of Donetsk Oblast. Barkashov said that he had communicated with Putin and insisted on holding the referendum regardless of the separatist leader's concerns. He instructed the separatists to tabulate the results as 89% in favour of autonomy.SBU Audio Links Donetsk Republic to Russian Involvement http://ukrainianpolicy.com/sbu-audio-links-donetsk-republic-to-russian-involvement/ Ukrainian Policy 7 May 2014 Separatists stated that the recording was fake.Ukraine's rebels say they are seeking a mandate, not independence, in referendum Simon Denyer Fredrick Kundie 10 May 2014 10 May 2014 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraines-rebels-say-they-are-seeking-a-mandate-not-independence-in-referendum/2014/05/10/f979d168-d853-11e3-aae8-c2d44bd79778_story.html In a meeting held on 7 July in Donetsk City, Russian politician Sergey Kurginyan held a press conference with representatives of the Donbas People's Militia, including Pavel Gubarev, and said that Russia did provide significant military support for the separatists. During a discussion among the participants, Gubarev complained that the arms that had been sent were old and not fully functional. In response, Kurginyan listed specific items, including 12,000 automatic rifles, grenade launchers, 2S9 Nona self-propelled mortars, two BMPs, and three tanks, that he knew had been supplied to the separatists by Russia. He also said he saw new, fully functional weapons unloaded at locations in Donbas, which he would not "disclose as we are filmed by cameras."September 2026 Kurginyan admitted that Russia had initially sent "4th category weapons" but since 3 June, had supplied equipment that was fully functional. He also said one of his goals, whilst in Donetsk, was to ensure that military support from Russia was increased.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAOnrGxpdgk Полная пресс конференция Кургиняна в Донецке 7 июля Full press conference of Kurginyan in Donetsk on 7 July 7 July 2014 Pavel Gubarev YouTubehttp://www.hromadske.tv/society/boioviki----dnr----zhaliyutsya-shcho-rosiya-pogano/ Ідеолог сепаратистів: Росія постачає 'ДНР' сучасною бронетехнікою Hromadske.tv 8 July 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140826040011/http://www.hromadske.tv/society/boioviki----dnr----zhaliyutsya-shcho-rosiya-pogano/ 26 August 2014https://news.pn/en/criminal/108347 Terrorists of DNR admitted that Russia delivers them the weapon and equipment, but complain of quality 8 July 2014 News.pn He repeated claims of a constant flow of military support provided by "the Russian community" into the conflict zone on 13 July.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iF0kHsEOIw С.Е.Кургинян. Доклад на летней школе о ситуации в ДНР 13 July 2014 18 July 2014 Sergey Kurginyan ECC.TV OSCE monitors Monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were sent to Ukraine after a request by the Ukrainian government, and an agreement between all member states of the OSCE, including Russia.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 6 April 2014 24 June 2014 22 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140522014340/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm dead The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) deployed on 6 April and has remained in Ukraine to "contribute to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability, and security". The SMM lost contact with four monitors in Donetsk Oblast on 26 May, and another four in Luhansk Oblast on 29 May.http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/119945 Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received until 18:00 hrs, 17 June Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 18 June 2014 24 June 2014 Both groups were held in captivity by separatists for a month until being freed on 27 and 28 June, respectively. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28074788 Second OSCE team freed in Donetsk BBC News 28 June 2014 28 June 2014 Defectors Ukrainian defectors to Russia Throughout the conflict, there were reports of both police and military either deserting their posts or defecting to the separatists. Oleksandr Turchynov stated that numerous Ukrainian military and security personnel joined the separatists, alongside Ukrainian military equipment. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/ukraine-government-lost-control-east-acting-president Ukraine's government has lost control of east, says acting president The Guardian 1 May 2014 27 May 2014 A report by the Internal Affairs Ministry said that over 17,000 policemen had defected to insurgents in eastern Ukraine by 23 May. Gazeta http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114912,16023306,Sobota_na_Ukrainie__RELACJA_NA_ZYWO_.html Około 17 tys. milicjantów w Donbasie na wschodzie Ukrainy przeszło w ostatnim czasie na stronę separatystów – oświadczył szef departamentu bezpieczeństwa publicznego MSW Ukrainy Wołodymyr Hryniak 24 May 2014 Around 17 thousand policemen in Donbas in Eastern Ukraine recently joined the separatist side, Public Safety Department of Ukrainian Interior Ministry chief Wolodymyr Hryniak declared pl http://www.tvn24.pl/msw-ukrainy-w-donbasie-zdradzilo-17-tys-milicjantow,431902,s.html MSW Ukrainy: W Donbasie zdradziło 17 tys. milicjantów Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs: 17 thousand Ukrainian police in Donbas betrayed Ukraine tvn24 pl 24 May 2014 27 May 2014 http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1356,opage,3,title,MSW-Ukrainy-17-tys-milicjantow-w-Donbasie-zdradzilo,wid,16628860,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=112c8f MSW Ukrainy: 17 tys. milicjantów w Donbasie zdradziło wiadomosci.wp.pl Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs: 17 thousand Ukrainian police in Donbas betrayed Ukraine 24 May 2014 27 May 2014 Polska Grupa Wirtualna http://www.rmf24.pl/raport-ukraina/fakty/news-wybory-na-ukrainie-msz-ukrainy-z-rosji-przedostaly-sie-pojaz,nId,1431508 Wybory na Ukrainie. MSZ Ukrainy: Z Rosji przedostały się pojazdy z uzbrojonymi ludźmi Elections in Ukraine. MFA of Ukraine: Vehicles with armed men penetrated into Ukraine from Russia pl rmf24 24 May 2014 27 May 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200002/http://www.rmf24.pl/raport-ukraina/fakty/news-wybory-na-ukrainie-msz-ukrainy-z-rosji-przedostaly-sie-pojaz%2CnId%2C1431508 25 May 2014 Russian defectors to Ukraine On 19 July, Ilya Bogdanov, a former Russian FSB lieutenant in Vladivostok, defected to Ukraine, claiming that he could no longer stand the lies used by Russia to stimulate the situation in Eastern Ukraine and Dagestan, where he served earlier.2AVpCZJw_mg Сотрудник ФСБ Илья Богданов перешёл на сторону Украины и раскрыл секреты РФ , 2014-7-19, Channel 5 On 24 July, Russian army serviceman Andrej Balabanov asked for political asylum in Ukraine, stating, "I finally took a decision not to take part in this war and sided with Ukraine. This is my protest against Russia's political leaders."Russian servicemen defects, gives evidence of Moscow aggression, zIK (24 July 2014) Balabanov claimed his unit had sent "military intelligence, GRU, experts, and Chechens" into Ukraine to help the separatists. He went on to claim his unit had been "continuously brainwashed into believing they would be sent to Ukraine to save their Russian-speaking brothers." Arrests On 3 April 2014, one man was arrested and eight more were put under house arrest on suspicion of involvement in the riots in Donetsk on 13 March, which led to the murder of Dmitry Cherniavsky.Арестован подозреваемый в убийстве на митинге в Донецке 13 марта – Донецк.comments.ua https://web.archive.org/web/20140412211917/http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/04/03/123220.html 12 April 2014. Donetsk.comments.ua. Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 5 April, the SBU arrested a group of 15 people in Luhansk, along with 300 machine guns, one anti-tank grenade launcher, five pistols, petrol bombs, and a large amount of smooth-bore guns and other weapons. "The group planned to seize power in Luhansk on April 10 by intimidating civilians using weapons and explosives", the SBU press office told Interfax-Ukraine.SBU exposes armed group plotting armed seizure of power in Luhansk region. En.interfax.com.ua (20 October 2012). Retrieved 1 May 2014. In Kharkiv, anti-Maidan activist Ignat Kramskoy (nicknamed "Topaz") was placed under house arrest on 29 March for his alleged involvement in the 1 March raid on the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building.uk "Topaz" was put under house arrest, Ukrainska Pravda (29 March 2014) On 7 April, he escaped house arrest after cutting off his monitoring bracelet,Топаз сбежал из-под домашнего ареста : Новости УНИАН. Unian.net. Retrieved 1 May 2014. and later gave interviews to the pro-Russian channel LifeNews about 'guerrilla struggle' and using firearms to capture buildings.Топаз рассказал, почему сепаратисты начали говорить на украинском : Новости УНИАН. Unian.net (13 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. Topaz was re-arrested as he set up another interview with Russia's Life News channel.СБУ задержала Топаза и депортировала из Украины журналистов российского канала : Новости УНИАН. Unian.net. Retrieved 1 May 2014. He received an eight-year prison sentence in January 2018 but was released in September with credit for time served.https://www.unian.info/politics/1929354-rada-repeals-so-called-savchenko-law.html Rada repeals so-called "Savchenko Law" unian.info 18 May 2017 https://www.stopfake.org/en/among-the-locals-who-took-over-the-buildings-of-slovyansk-and-kramatorsk-there-were-cossacks-of-russia/ Among the "locals", who took over the buildings of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk there were Cossacks of Russia Stopfake.org 23 April 2014 On 12 April a saboteur known as "K" was arrested by the SBU in Kharkiv. He had been tasked with organizing riots and capturing administrative buildings.Pravda. Pravda. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Later, 70 were arrested between the border of Poltava and Kharkiv. The men were travelling on a bus, and found in possession of explosives, petrol bombs, bats, shields, helmets, knives, and other weapons.Pravda. Pravda (13 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 25 April, the SBU announced it had arrested two Ukrainian military members recruited by Russian intelligence.СБУ задержала двух граждан Украины, которые работали на российскую разведку : Новости УНИАН. Unian.net (25 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 29 April the SBU arrested Spartak Holovachov and Yuri Apukhtin, leader of the Great Rus' organization in Kharkiv. Authorities claimed they were organized from abroad to plan riots in the city on 9 May, and upon searching their headquarters found guns, grenades, ammunition, cash, and separatist leaflets.http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/30/7024065/ Затримані організатори заворушень у Харкові, їх інструктували за кордоном; Українська правда Ukrainska Pravda 3 May 2014http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/05/1/7024110/ Проросійські екстремісти готували на 9 травня у Харкові вибухи; Українська правда Ukrainska Pravda 3 May 2014 As of 19 April, the SBU had arrested 117 Russian citizens.texty.org.ua. texty.org.ua (18 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. V. Makarov, an alleged spy from the GRU, was arrested in Chernihiv on 20 March 2014.SBU detained a Russian spy Ukrainska Pravda. 20 March 2014 Anton Rayevsky was arrested in Odesa and then deported for inciting ethnic hatred and violence.З України видворено російського неонациста-"чорносотенця", який готував диверсію в Одесі – Новини України на 1+1 – ТСН.ua. Tsn.ua. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Roman Bannykh, allegedly an agent of the Russian GRU, was detained on 5 April 2014.SBU detained Russian agent who coordinated separatists in Ukraine. Podrobnosti. 7 April 2014 Negrienko was arrested earlier in March 2014 for attempting to recruit Ukrainian police officers. Oleg Bakhtiyarov, for allegedly planning to storm Ukraine's parliament and Cabinet of Ministers buildings in Kyiv by force. Bakhtiyarov, working under the guise of a civil society activist in Kyiv, had allegedly recruited some 200 people, paying them each $500, to assist in storming the buildings and had stockpiled petrol bombs and various tools to carry out the provocation. Bakhtiyarov allegedly also arranged, with some Russian TV channels, to film the incident, which would then have been blamed on Ukrainian radicals.Alexander Dugin: The Crazy Ideologue of the New Russian Empire – The Daily Beast. Thedailybeast.com. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Russian writer and the founder of the banned National Bolshevik Party, Eduard Limonov described Bakhtiyarov as "a good guy, a psychiatrist, a commando, a vet of the War of Transnistria, and a participant in the city hall seizure." Dmitry Kolesnikov, a member of The Other Russia, was arrested.The Other Russia concerned about fate of two activists arrested in Ukraine. Kyiv Post. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Two Russian citizens were arrested in Lviv Oblast on 2 April 2014, suspected of plotting to take several Ukrainians hostage, including a presidential candidate. Police allegedly found a 200-gram TNT block, detonator, and 16 9×18mm Makarov rounds in one of the suspect's cars. Also allegedly found was a notebook with details of cars used by the presidential candidate and a timetable of his movements; a tablet with images of the targeted politician, as well as members of the Lviv Regional Council, one former MP, photos of houses belonging to them; and plans for gaining access to them.http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-2-russians-suspected-of-plotting-to-abduct-ukrainian-politicians-341979.html SBU detains 2 Russians suspected of plotting to abduct Ukrainian politicians Kyiv Post 3 April 2014 thumb|170px|Pro-separatist supporter detained by Ukrainian soldiers, 30 July 2014 Mariya Koleda was arrested on 9 April 2014, and allegedly performed Russian intelligence agency tasks to destabilize the situation in the southern regions of Ukraine. On 7 April, she allegedly took part in fights at the Mykolaiv Oblast Regional State Administration building using a firearm, and confessed to shooting and wounding three people. "She also reported on the preparation of two subversive groups (7 persons from Kherson and 6 people from Nova Kakhovka) to participate in riots in Donetsk", reports the SSU.СБУ затримала російську шпигунку, яка організовувала диверсантів | Українська правда. Pravda.com.ua (9 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014.The Social Postings Of A 'Russian Spy'. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 13 April, Ukraine arrested an alleged Russian GRU operative.Pravda. Pravda (14 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 22 April, Ukraine's director of Ukraine's national security service announced that they had arrested three alleged Russian GRU agents.Ukraine: Three Russian military intel officers detained. USA Today. (22 April 2014). Retrieved 1 May 2014. On 1 May, border guards arrested a Russian citizen for planning separatist provocations in Luhansk. The man was allegedly a member of the neo-Nazi skinhead group 'Slavs' and had several swastika tattoos as well as a Nazi-branded knife.http://nbnews.com.ua/ru/news/120059/ ru:Пограничники задержали российского скинхеда-вербовщика с листовками nbnews.com.ua 3 May 2014 ru https://web.archive.org/web/20140502000209/http://nbnews.com.ua/ru/news/120059/ 2 May 2014 dead On 23 October, Ukraine arrested a man that they claimed was a high-level Russian intelligence agent who had been coordinating separatist activity and had organized the protest of several hundred National Guard troops outside the Ukrainian presidential administration building in Kyiv on 13 October.Alleged Russian intelligence agent caught outside Kyiv claiming to be FSB general (PHOTOS), Kyiv Post (24 October 2014) Bounty In April 2014, international billionaire and governor of Dnipropetrovsk, Igor Kolomoisky issued a $10,000 bounty for the apprehension of Russian agents. He also offered rewards for handing in weapons belonging to insurgents: $1,000 for each machine gun turned in to the authorities, $1,500 for every heavy machine gun, and $2,000 for a grenade launcher.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/17/ukrainian-oligarch-offers-financial-rewards-russians-igor-kolomoisky Ukrainian oligarch offers bounty for capture of Russian 'saboteurs' The Guardian 17 April 2014 Luhn Alec On 19 April he issued his first $10,000 payout for the capture of a Russian saboteur.И.Коломойский заплатил первое вознаграждение за диверсанта – Д.Тымчук. Информационное агентство Украинские Национальные Новости (УНН). Все онлайн новости дня в Украине за сегодня – самые свежие, последние. Unn.com.ua. Retrieved 1 May 2014. Media reported that at least one billboard existed with the following text: "$10,000 for a Moskal" (derogatory name for Russians)."Kolomoisky promises cash rewards for fighting pro-Russian separatists". Kyiv Post. 17 April 2014. According to The Daily Beast, no such billboards existed, and the photo media referred to "was faked for the Internet.""Ukraine's Billionaire Bounty-Hunting Club". The Daily Beast. 19 April 2014. Gallery See also Current events Politics Russia Ukraine Regionalism in Ukraine Log Revolution Cold War II Russians in Ukraine Russian language in Ukraine 1954 transfer of Crimea 2014 Euromaidan regional state administration occupations Do not buy Russian goods! a Ukrainian boycott of Russian goods started as a reaction to the export trade blockade by Russia in 2013. List of protests in the 21st century 2014 Russian sabotage activities in Ukraine References External links Bowen Andrew Coercive Diplomacy and the Donbas: Explaining Russian Strategy in Eastern Ukraine Journal of Strategic Studies 42 3–4 312–343 2017 10.1080/01402390.2017.1413550 158522112 Hosaka Sanshiro 27 November 2019 Welcome to Surkov's Theater: Russian Political Technology in the Donbas War https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nationalities-papers/article/abs/welcome-tosurkovs-theater-russian-political-technology-in-the-donbaswar/B06C4BD46E958A48F07C877EFECCB3A0 Nationalities Papers en 47 5 750–773 10.1017/nps.2019.70 0090-5992 subscription Geneva Statement on Ukraine – US State Department release, 17 April 2014 Why do some Ukrainians want to be part of Russia? – BBC News report, 24 April 2014 Implications of Russia's aggression against Ukraine – Study by the Swedish Defence Research Agency Russia Society Ukraine Category:2014 in Russia Category:2014 in Ukraine Category:2014 riots Category:February 2014 in Ukraine Category:March 2014 in Ukraine Category:April 2014 in Ukraine Category:May 2014 in Ukraine Category:Riots and civil disorder in Ukraine Category:Russian irredentism Category:Separatism in Ukraine Category:Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Ukraine Category:Anti-Maidan Category:Prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine 2014 Category:Russification Category:Russians in Ukraine Category:War in Donbas Category:Donbas Category:Russia–Ukraine relations Category:Articles containing video clips Category:2010s political riots