Accessibility links

Subscribe
All RFE/RL sites
All RFE/RL websites Follow RFE/RL on Google
site logo site logo
Previous Next
Breaking News
Ukraine

Ukraine Marks Seventh Anniversary Of Euromaidan Bloodshed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena, pay their respects at the so-called Monument of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv's Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) on February 20. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena, pay their respects at the so-called Monument of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv's Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) on February 20. 

KYIV -- Ukrainians have marked the seventh anniversary of the shooting deaths of dozens of participants in the Euromaidan anti-government protests that toppled the country's Russia-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovych, in 2014.

The commemorations honored those who were killed in the capital, Kyiv, during clashes with Yanukovych's security forces on February 18-20, 2014.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena, laid flowers at the so-called Monument of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv's Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) on February 20.

"Eternal memory to all those who died for the future of Ukraine," Zelenskiy said at the ceremony.

Gatherings were held across Ukraine on February 20 to commemorate those killed during the Euromaidan protests.

Ukrainians Mark Anniversary Of Deadly Shootings Of Euromaidan Protesters

<p>A woman is seen on February 18 in front of the &quot;Heavenly Hundred&quot; monument in Kyiv, honoring the 104 people killed during anti-government demonstrations in 2014.</p>
1/15

A woman is seen on February 18 in front of the "Heavenly Hundred" monument in Kyiv, honoring the 104 people killed during anti-government demonstrations in 2014.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
A priest says a&nbsp;​prayer in memory of those killed seven years ago. Most of the victims lost their lives between February 18-20, with 49 people dying on February 20.
2/15 A priest says a ​prayer in memory of those killed seven years ago. Most of the victims lost their lives between February 18-20, with 49 people dying on February 20.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
Relatives of those killed ring the Bell Of Dignity, which was installed on the site of the massacre in December last year.
3/15 Relatives of those killed ring the Bell Of Dignity, which was installed on the site of the massacre in December last year.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
About 100 people, including families of the victims and participants in the events of 2014, came to mark the anniversary on February 18. Memorial events continue for three days.
4/15 About 100 people, including families of the victims and participants in the events of 2014, came to mark the anniversary on February 18. Memorial events continue for three days.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
Seven years on, emotions are still raw.
5/15 Seven years on, emotions are still raw.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
Among those attending commemorations was former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who came to power in the 2014 elections following Yanukovych&#39;s ouster.
6/15 Among those attending commemorations was former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who came to power in the 2014 elections following Yanukovych's ouster.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
The faces of the victims
7/15 The faces of the victims
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
This is still a temporary monument. Plans to create a more permanent commemoration have stalled.
8/15 This is still a temporary monument. Plans to create a more permanent commemoration have stalled.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
A man lights a candle at the memorial.
9/15 A man lights a candle at the memorial.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
10/15
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
People with flowers and candles on February 18. Ukraine has indicted more than 200 people in connection with the deaths, but justice has been slow.
11/15 People with flowers and candles on February 18. Ukraine has indicted more than 200 people in connection with the deaths, but justice has been slow.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
Most of the people indicted have fled to Russia, to areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, or Crimea -- which Russia annexed in 2014.
12/15 Most of the people indicted have fled to Russia, to areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, or Crimea -- which Russia annexed in 2014.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
In the evening of February 18, a rally was held to commemorate the victims.
13/15 In the evening of February 18, a rally was held to commemorate the victims.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
This man lights a candle at the memorial...
14/15 This man lights a candle at the memorial...
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
...while these people burn flares at the rally.
15/15 ...while these people burn flares at the rally.
Ukraine is marking the seventh anniversary of the bloody end of the mass street protests that ousted Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych and in which some 100 people were killed, most of them between February 18-20, 2014.
Previous slide
Next slide

Some parts of Ukraine began honoring the slain demonstrators two days earlier, on the day when the shootings started.

The Euromaidan movement began in November 2013 when protesters gathered on the central square in Kyiv to protest Yanukovych's decision not to sign a crucial trade accord with the European Union. Instead, he sought closer economic ties with Russia.

Ukrainian prosecutors say 104 people were killed and 2,500 injured as a result of violent crackdowns by authorities against protesters.

Shunning a deal backed by the West and Russia to end the standoff, Yanukovych abandoned power and fled Kyiv on February 21, 2014.

The former president, who was secretly flown to Russia and remains there, denies that he ordered police to fire on protesters, saying that the violence was the result of a “planned operation” to overthrow his government.

In March 2014, shortly after Yanukovych's downfall, Russian military forces seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula -- a precursor to the Kremlin's illegal annexation of the territory through a hastily organized and widely discredited referendum.

Russia also has supported pro-Russia separatists who are fighting Ukrainian government forces in eastern Ukraine.

More than 13,200 people have been killed in that conflict since April 2014.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has seen its audience grow significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and is among the most cited media outlets in the country. Its bold, in-depth reporting from the front lines has won many accolades and awards. Its comprehensive coverage also includes award-winning reporting by the Donbas.Realities and Crimea.Realities projects and the Schemes investigative unit.

This item is part of
​
XS
SM
MD
LG