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#REDIRECT ] |
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{{Draft article}} |
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{{Infobox civil conflict |
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| title = 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine |
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| partof = the aftermath of the ] |
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{{rcatsh| |
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| image = UkraineProtests2014.gif|600px |
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{{r draft}} |
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| caption = Comparison of pro-Russia vs. Ukraine protests |
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{{r hist}} |
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| date = 23 February 2014–present<br/>({{Age in months, weeks and days| year1= 2014 | month1 = 2| day1= 23}}) |
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| place =]<br>]<br>] |
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| coordinates = |
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| causes = *Opposition to the ] movement |
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*Opposition to the ] |
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*Opposition to inclusion of ] and ] in the government of Ukraine<ref></ref> |
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*The ]'s vote on 23 February to repeal ] aimed at giving Russian and other minority languages (if in a region the percentage of a ] exceeded 10%) the status of ]<ref name=Lsaid24812>, ] (24 August 2012)</ref><ref name=Guardian4Jul2012>, ] (4 July 2012)</ref>{{Ref|NoteA|A}} |
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*Banning of the ] and the ] in ] oblasts by regional and local communities.<ref> ], 27 January 2014</ref><ref> Kyiv Post, 21 February 2014</ref><ref> ], 24 February 2014</ref> |
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| goals = |
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*Transforming Ukraine into a ]<ref name="march16nbc">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046|title=Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices|publisher=NBC News|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-17}}</ref><ref name="march16rt">{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/ukraine-kharkov-rights-donetsk-202/|title=Ukraine's east on fire: Kharkov demands referendum, Donetsk prosecutor’s HQ stormed|publisher=RT|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-017}}</ref> |
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*Referendums on status for ] and ]<ref name=march16nbc/><ref name=march16rt/> |
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*Decriminalization for previous (]) official in ]{{cn|date=April 2014}} |
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*Making Russian an official language in Ukraine{{cn|date=April 2014}} |
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| methods = |
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*] of administrative buildings |
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*Hoisting of the ] over governmental buildings |
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*]s |
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*Riots |
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| status = |
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| result = |
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*{{flagicon image|Coat of arms of Donetskaya Narodnaya Republic.png}} ] |
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*{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} Pro-Russian demonstrators<ref></ref> |
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*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Previous ] |
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**] presidency in-exile<ref></ref> |
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{{flagicon|Russia}} ] |
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* Russian activists and radicals<ref name=ruscit /> |
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*] ]<ref name=apaar>, ] (11 March 2014)</ref> |
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*] ]<ref name=ljsdg>, ] (January 29, 2014 )</ref> |
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*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Acting ] |
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**] acting-presidency |
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**] |
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**{{flagicon image|Flag of the Security Service of Ukraine.png}} ] |
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**{{flagicon image|NGU command.jpg}}] |
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*Political parties |
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**] |
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**] |
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**] |
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**] |
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*] militants<ref> ], 16 march 2014</ref> |
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**]<ref name="ukrainianpatriots">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0315/602466-ukraine/ Two killed in clashes in eastern Ukraine</ref> |
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*Died: 2<ref name="UkraineNationalists">. ]. March 15, 2014</ref> |
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*Arrested: At least 70<ref name="march15lifenews">{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/129084|title=В Донецке митингующие начали штурмовать здание СБ Украины|publisher=LifeNews.ru|date=2014-03-15|accessdate=2014-03-15}}</ref> |
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| casualties2 = |
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*Died: 2<ref>. ]. March 13, 2014</ref><ref>. ]. March 13, 2014</ref> |
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*Hospitalized: 10<ref>. ]. March 13, 2014</ref> |
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*Arrested: 30<ref name="UkraineNationalists"/> |
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}} |
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Since the end of February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups have taken place in major cities across the south-eastern regions of ], in the aftermath of the ] and the ] movement. Various Russian news media outlets have used the term ''Russian Spring'' ({{lang-ru|Русская весна}}) to describe the protests.<ref name=skvortsov></ref> |
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==Background== |
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{{See also|Euromaidan|2014 Ukrainian revolution}} |
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Ukraine has been gripped by unrest since ] ] refused to sign ] with the ] on 21 November 2013. A widespread movement known as ']' demanded closer ties with the European Union, and the ouster of President Yanukovych.<ref name=Reuters121213>, ] (12 December 2013)</ref> This movement was ultimately successful, culminating in the ], which removed Yanukovych and ].<ref name=RFEKT25114>, ] (25 January 2014)</ref> However, some people in largely ] ] and ], the traditional bases of support for Yanukovych and his ], did not approve of the ouster, and began to protest in favour of closer ties with ]. |
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Starting on 23 February 2014, various demonstrations were held in ] in favour of leaving Ukraine and accession to the ], leading to the ]. |
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On 1 March, regional state administration buildings (RSAs) in various ] ] were briefly occupied by pro-Russian activists. By 11 March, all occupations had ended, after units of the local police and the ] (SBU) re-took the buildings.<ref name=march6cbs/> In ], protests have descended into violence on multiple occasions, including on 13 March where one pro-Kiev protester was stabbed to death.<ref name="reutersmarch13">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-idUSBREA2C20Z20140313|title=One dead in Ukraine clash in eastern city|publisher=Reuters|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref><ref name=DEN5314>, ] (5 March 2014)<br>, ] (7 March 2014)</ref> In ], ] members shot dead a pro-Russian 'Oplot' gang member and a passerby on the night of 15 March when pro-Russian protesters attacked the ] headquarters.<ref name=UkraineNationalists/> |
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According to officials and pro-government eyewitness accounts not all attendees of the protests are Ukrainian nationals; but a significant number of them are ].<ref name=ruscit>, ] (MARCH 3, 2014)</ref><ref>, ] (March 7, 2014)</ref> Pro-Russian activists, meanwhile, say that pro-Ukrainian counter-protesters consist of paid attendees and students who are under threat of expulsion from their universities (if they fail to attend the pro-Ukrainian rallies).<ref name="march14vor">{{cite news|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_13/Euromaidan-protestors-start-fight-with-pro-Russia-activists-in-Donetsk-6806/|title=Euromaidan protestors start fight with pro-Russia activists in Donetsk|publisher=The Voice of Russia|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> Donetsk oblast governor ] alleges that rallies in ] contain ex-convicts and others who traveled from ].<ref></ref> Ukraine's security forces and border guards since 4 March have denied more than 8,200 Russians into the country as of 25 March. On 27 March, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said that between 500 and 700 Russians were being denied entry daily.<ref name="kyivpost.com"></ref> |
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===Public opinion=== |
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A poll conducted by ] in the fist half of February 2014 assessed support for union with Russia throughout Ukraine. It found that, overall, 12% of those polled favoured union with Russia.<ref>, ] (4 March 2014)</ref> However, support for such a union was found to be much higher in certain areas: |
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*41.0% ] |
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*33.2% ] |
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*24.1% ] |
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*24.0% ] |
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*16.7% ] |
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*15.1% ] |
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*13.8% ] |
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In another opinion poll conducted from 14–26 March by the ], 26-27% of the polled Southern and Eastern Ukrainians viewed the ] protests as a coup d'etat. Only 5% of respondents in Eastern Ukraine felt that Russian-speakers were 'definitely' under pressure or threat. 43% of ethnic Russians ('definitely' or 'rather') supported the decision of the Russian Federation to send its military to protect Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine. In the poll, 22% of Southern Ukraine, and 26% of Eastern Ukraine supported the idea of federalization of the country; 69% of Southern and 53% of Eastern supported Ukraine remaining as a unitary state; 2% of Southern and 4% of Eastern supported separatism ("divide into several countries").<ref>http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20April%205%20IRI%20Public%20Opinion%20Survey%20of%20Ukraine,%20March%2014-26,%202014.pdf</ref> |
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==Timeline== |
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{{main|Timeline of the 2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine}} |
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! - Convert ] to timeline article titled ] - ! |
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==Unrest by region== |
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{{See also|2014 Ukrainian Regional State Administration occupations}} |
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===Crimea=== |
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{{Main|2014 Crimean crisis}} |
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Beginning on February 26, pro-Russian forces, many of which were widely believed to be Russian military without insignias,<ref>""</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera English">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/warning-shots-end-osce-crimea-entry-bid-20143815135639790.html |title=Warning shots end OSCE Crimea entry bid - Europe |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=2014-03-11}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600|title=Ukraine crisis: Russia vows troops will stay|date=3 March 2014|accessdate=3 March 2014|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Sam |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a701f3e8-a527-11e3-8988-00144feab7de.html#axzz2vFnXrLQx |title=US scorns Russia's version of Crimean intervention |work=Financial Times |date=21 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/12/us-ukraine-crisis-osce-idUSBREA2B1C120140312 |title=OSCE team say Crimea roadblock gunmen threatened to shoot at them |publisher=Reuters |date= |accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref><ref name = "NYT">{{cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/world/europe/crimea-ukraine.html |title=Gunmen Seize Government Buildings in Crimea|work=The New York Times|date= 27 February 2014|accessdate= 1 March 2014 |quote = 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.}}</ref><ref name="reuters.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140228 |title=Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Yanukovich reappears | agency =Reuters|date=1 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite news| agency = Reuters | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/01/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140301 | date = 1 March 2014 | title= Putin ready to invade Ukraine; Kiev warns of war| postscript = {{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref><ref name="upi.com">{{Cite news | url = http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/28/Telecom-services-sabotaged-in-Ukraines-Crimea-region/7611393621345/ | title = Telecom services sabotaged in Ukraine's Crimea region | agency = United Press International | accessdate = 28 February 2014}}</ref> began to gradually ]. During this time, the question of joining the Russian Federation was put to a ], which had a official turnout of 83 per cent and resulted in a 96% affirmative vote <ref name=autogenerated1></ref> but has been condemned by the EU, the USA, Ukrainian and ] officials as contrary to Ukraine's constitution and to international law.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>. ]</ref> On March 17, the Crimean Parliament declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation.<ref></ref> On March 18 Russia and Crimea signed a ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> The ] passed a non-binding ] that declared that the referendum was invalid, and the incorporation of Crimea into Russia as illegal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Charbboneau|first=Louis|title=U.N. General Assembly declares Crimea secession vote invalid|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA2Q1GA20140327|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=27 March 2014}}</ref><ref>en.itar-tass.com/russia/725802</ref> |
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===Donetsk=== |
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Pro-Russian protesters occupied the ] ] (RSA) building from 1 March to 6 March, before being removed by the ].<ref name="march6cbs">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukrainian-city-of-donetsk-epitomizes-countrys-crisis/|title=Ukrainian city of Donetsk epitomizes country's crisis|publisher=CBS News|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c427c7dc-a558-11e3-8070-00144feab7de.html#axzz2vFkRuWdS|title=Oligarch tries to stamp Kiev authority on restive east|publisher=The Financial Times|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref> |
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According to Ukrainian authorities the seizure of RSA's are part of "a script which has been written in the Russian Federation" to destabilize Ukraine and bring in Russian troops executed by "about 1,500 radicals in each region who spoke with clear Russian accents".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/07/us-ukraine-crisis-storm-idUSBREA350B420140407|title=Protests in eastern Ukraine aimed at bringing in Russian troops, warns PM|publisher=Reuters|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref> |
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On Sunday, 6 April 2014, 1,000-2,000<ref name=BBC100a6414>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210|title=Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv|publisher=]|date=6 April 2014}}</ref> pro-Russia protesters attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine.<ref name=rtapr6>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-protest-russia-733/|title=Pro-Russian protesters seize govt buildings in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov|publisher=]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref> After which, 200 separatists (according to Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for Donetsk local police, about 1,000<ref name=BBC100a6414/>) pro-Russian protesters stormed and took control of the first two floors of the building, breaking down doors and smashing windows. The administration headquarters were empty, with only guards inside, as government officials would not work there on Sundays.<ref name=rtapr6 /> The separatists demanded that if an extraordinary session was not held by officials, 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.<ref name="NovDnUa1">{{cite web|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/|title=Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях|language=Russian|website=novosti.dn.ua|date=6 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="UPravda1">{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/|title=Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ|language=Ukrainian|publisher=]|date=6 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/|title=Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ|language=Russian|website=novosti.dn.ua|date=6 April 2014}}</ref> The people who voted within the RSA were not elected to the positions they assumed.<ref name=BBCtha>, ] (7 April 2014)</ref> According to the Russian ] the declaration was voted by some regional legislators, however there are claims that neither the Donetsk city council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah|title=The Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful actions|website=NGO.Donetsk|date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=DCCNI>, ] (7 April 2014)</ref> |
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====People's Republic of Donetsk==== |
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On 6 April, the leaders of the separatist group ] announced that a referendum, on whether ] should "join the ]", would take place "no later than 11 May 2014."<ref name="rtapril7">{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/donetsk-republic-protestukraine-841/|title=Activists declare Donetsk republic after capturing regional administration in Eastern Ukraine|publisher=RT News|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref><ref name="itartassapril7">{{cite news|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779|title=Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People’s Republic|publisher=ITAR-TASS|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref> Additionally, the group's leaders have appealed to Russian President ] to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region. <ref name=rtapril7/><ref name=itartassapril7/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQO42EkRpbs#t=211|title=обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В.|website=]}}</ref> |
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In response to the actions, acting Ukrainian President ] vowed to launch a major counter-terrorism operation against separatist movements in the country’s eastern regions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Russian Group in Donetsk declare independence from Ukraine|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/pro-russian-group-in-donetsk-declare-independence-from-ukraine/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref> Later that day, the SBU office in ] was retaken by SBU Alpha Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/905156-v-donetske-v-rezultate-spetsoperatsii-osvobojdeno-zdanie-sbu.html|title=В Донецке в результате спецоперации освобождено здание СБУ|language=Russian|publisher=]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/ukr/news/sbu_v_donetsku_zvilneno_vid_separatistiv___syumar_1926482|title= |
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Спецназ вигнав сепаратистів з будівлі СБУ в Донецьку - Сюмар|language=Ukrainian|publisher=]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref> |
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On the morning of 8 April, the 'Patriotic Forces of Donbass', a pro-Kyiv group unrelated to ] organization who proclaimed independence and seized the council<ref></ref>, issued a statement on its Facebook page against the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals. Their announcement stated that they would quash the potential state's establishment, cancel the referendum, and, on their part, stated that the declaration is illegal.<ref></ref> Protesters reportedly gave up some weapons too.<ref name=ENDRD8414>, ] (2 April 2014)</ref> Despite this, the ] organization continued to occupy the RSA and declared themselves the legitimate authority, and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader Pavel Gubarev.<ref name=proclUP8414>{{uk icon}} , ] (8 April 2014)</ref>{{efn|The group stated they:<br>1) do not recognize the Ukrainian authorities;<br>2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;<br>3) "sent into retirement" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor ];<br>4) "prescribed" in the May 11 referendum on self-determination Donetsk;<br>5) require the issuance of its leader ] and others are detained separatists;<br>6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;<br>7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the ] and other separatist groups (in Kharkiv and Luhansk).<ref name=proclUP8414/>}} In the afternoon of 8 April, about a thousand people rallied in front of the RSA listening to speeches about the Donetsk People's Republic and to ] and Russian music.<ref>, ] (8 April 2014)</ref> |
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===Luhansk=== |
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As a protest against cancelling the ], the Oblast council of ] voted to demand giving Russian language the status of second official language, stopping persecution of Berkut fighters, disarming Maidan self-defense units and banning a number of ] political organizations like ] and UNA-UNSO. In the event that the authorities failed to comply with the demands, the Oblast council reserved itself the "right to ask for help from the brotherly people of the Russian Federation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_oblsovet-luganskaya-ugrozhaet-razoruzhit-majdan-rukami-bratskoj-rossii/545140 |title=Облсовет Луганская угрожает разоружить Майдан руками "братской" России |publisher=Gazeta.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-03-02}}</ref> |
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The regional state administration building of Luhansk has been occupied multiple times. It was reoccupied on 6 April, along with the ] (SBU) local headquarters, including the SBU’s armoury of over 300 machine guns.<ref></ref> Pro-Russian activists declared that they would found a 'Lugansk Parliamentary Republic' on April 8th, 2014. <ref></ref> |
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===Kharkiv=== |
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Protests have been ongoing in ], and the regional state administration building there has been occupied multiple times. |
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Pro-Russian protesters occupying the Kharkiv regional state administration building unilaterally declared independence from Ukraine as the 'Kharkov People's Republic' on 7 April 2014.<ref></ref> <ref></ref> By the next day, seventy protesters were arrested and the RSA building was retaken by Ukrainian special forces.<ref name=KRR2></ref>. |
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===Odessa=== |
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Beginning on 1 March, demonstrations have been ongoing in ]. ] reported that between 5,000 to 20,000 participated in a pro-Russian demonstration in ] on that day.<ref>{{cite web|author=Conal Urquhart |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates |title=UN security council in emergency meeting after Russian parliament approves use of military against Ukraine- live updates |publisher=theguardian.com |date=2014-01-03 |accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref> |
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Rolling demonstrations continued, and on 3 March 2014, 200–500 demonstrators with Russian flags attempted to seize the ] building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_mitinguyuschie-pod-flagami-rossii-shturmuyut-odesskuyu-oga/545208 |title=Митингующие под флагами России штурмуют Одесскую ОГА |publisher=Gazeta.ua |accessdate=3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="odessamar1">{{cite news|url=http://info-center.od.ua/9882-v-odesse-nakalilis-strasti-protivniki-kievskoy-vlasti-osadili-oga-k-nim-vyshel-skorik-fotoreportazh.html|title=В Одессе накалились страсти: противники киевской власти осадили ОГА. К ним вышел Скорик (фоторепортаж)|publisher=Info-Center.od.ua|language=Russian|date=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/128293|title=Активисты в Одессе пошли штурмом на здание облсовета|publisher=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref> They demanded that a referendum on the establishment of an "Odessa ]" be held.<ref name=odessamar1/> |
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==Protests by date and attendance== |
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===Pro-Russian protests=== |
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin: left" |
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!City |
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!Peak attendees |
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!Date |
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!Ref. |
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|]||10,000+||1 Mar||<ref></ref><ref></ref> |
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|]||5,000-6,000||2 Mar||<ref> {{ref-ru}}</ref> |
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|- |
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||]||5,000||1 Mar||<ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||5,000||1 Mar||<ref name="pravda.com.ua"></ref><ref name="1tv.ru"></ref><ref name="day.kiev.ua"></ref><ref></ref><ref name="1tv.ru"/><ref name="day.kiev.ua"/> |
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|- |
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|]||3,000-10,000||6 Apr||<ref name=k3k></ref><ref></ref><ref>, RT, 6 March 2014</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||2,000+||23 Feb||<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|title=Ukraine crisis fuels secession calls in pro-Russian south|newspaper=]|date=24 February 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|archivedate=24 February 2014}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||2,000+||26 Feb||<ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||2,000+||1 Mar||<ref> {{ref-ru}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||1,000-5,000||1 Mar||{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} |
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|- |
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|]||1,000-3,000||1 Mar||<ref> {{ref-ru}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||400||2 Mar||<ref name="news.liga.net"></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||200||Feb 24||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/888686-v-kerchi-mitinguyuschie-sorvali-ukrainskiy-flag-i-merii-i-povesili-rossiyskiy.html |title=В Керчи митингующие сорвали украинский флаг и мэрии и повесили российский : Новости УНИАН |publisher=Unian.net |date= |accessdate=2014-02-24}}</ref> |
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===Pro-Ukraine counter protests=== |
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin: left" |
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|- style="width:15em; text-align:right;" |
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|- |
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!City |
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!Peak attendees |
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!Date |
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!Ref. |
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|- |
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|]||40,000||Mar 2||<ref>, ] (2 March 2014)</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||25,000||Mar 9||<ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||25,000+||Mar 2||<ref></ref><ref name="fraza.ua"></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||20,000-25,000||Feb 23||<ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||20,000||Mar 30||<ref>{{ru icon}} , ] (30 March 2014)</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||25,000+||Mar 2||<ref></ref><ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||20,000||Mar 5||<ref name="march5donetsk">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-evacuation-idUSBREA240JC20140305|title=Activists replant Russian flag above HQ in Ukraine|publisher=Reuters|date=2013-03-05|accessdate=2013-03-06}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|]||15,000||Mar 22||<ref></ref><ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||5,000||Mar 2||<ref name="fraza.ua"/> |
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|- |
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|]||3,000||Mar 2||<ref name="fraza.ua"/> |
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|- |
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|]||2,000||Mar 30||<ref></ref> |
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|- |
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|]||1,000||Mar 30||<ref name=100lu>{{uk icon}} , ] (30 March 2014)</ref> |
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|- |
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|} |
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==International reaction== |
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===Crimea=== |
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For international reactions to the Crimean crisis, see ]. |
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===Eastern and Southern Ukraine=== |
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Various international entities have warned all sides to reduce tensions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. |
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====Supranational organisations==== |
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*{{Flagu|UN}} – UN Secretary General ] 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."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47366&Cr=ukraine&Cr1=#.UyeF2s7j_1U|title=Ukraine: Ban ‘deeply concerned’ Crimea vote will worsen complex, tense situation|publisher=UN News Centre|date=2014-03-17|accessdate=2014-03-18}}</ref> Assistant U.S. Secretary of State ] said that the United States has no doubt that Russians were behind the takeovers of government buildings in eastern Ukraine.<ref></ref> |
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====States==== |
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*{{Flagu|Russia}} – Russia's Foreign Ministry stated in a 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".<ref name=RFMS8414/> The ministry alleged that what it called "American experts from the private military organization ]" disguised as soldiers, as well as militants from the Ukrainian far-right group ], had joined Ukrainian forces preparing for the crackdown in eastern Ukraine.<ref name=RFMS8414>, ] (8 April 2014)</ref> In an 7 April ] in ] Russian foreign minister ] wrote it was the ] and ], and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilising 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".<ref name=GopL74>, ] (7 April 2014)</ref><ref>, ] (7 April 2014)</ref><ref name=BBCRMS8414>, ] (8 April 2014)</ref> |
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* {{Flagu|USA}} – US Secretary of State ] defined (on 7 April 2014) the conflict in in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol a carefully orchestrated campaign with Russian support.<ref></ref><ref name=BBCtha /> |
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==Notable protesters== |
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===Pro-Russian activists arrested=== |
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* ] (self-proclaimed 'People's Governor' of Donetsk)<ref></ref> |
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* Robert Donya (self-proclaimed deputy 'People's Governor' of Donesk)<ref></ref> |
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* ] (leader of the self-styled 'Donbass People's Militia')<ref></ref> |
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* Dmitry Kuzmenko (self-proclaimed 'People's Mayor' of Mariupol)<ref></ref> |
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* ] (leader of 'Borotba' Marxist-Leninist communist group in Odessa)<ref></ref> |
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* ] (leader of 'Luhansk Guard' organization)<ref></ref> |
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* ]{{fact|date=April 2014}} |
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On 3 April, 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.<ref></ref> |
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On April 5, the SBU arrested a group of 15 people in Luhansk, along with 300 machine guns, one anti-tank grenade launcher, five pistols, Molotov cocktails and a large amount of smooth-bore guns and cold steel weapons. "The group planned to carry out an armed seizure of power in Luhansk region on April 10 through intimidation of civilians using weapons and explosives," the SBU press center told Interfax-Ukraine.<ref></ref> |
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In Kharkiv ] activist Igor Kromskoho (nicknamed "Topaz") was placed under house arrest on March 29 for his alleged involvement in the ].<ref>{{uk icon}} , ] (29 March 2014)</ref> On April 7, Topaz fled house arrest, cutting off his monitoring bracelet.<ref></ref> |
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===Russian citizens arrested=== |
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* V. Makarov, an alleged spy from ] was arrested in ] on March 20, 2014<ref>. ]. March 20, 2014</ref> |
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*Anton Rayevsky, a Russian neo-Nazi, was arrested in Odessa and then deported for inciting ethnic hatred and violence<ref name=TSN30314></ref> |
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* Roman Bannykh, a military intelligence agent of the Russian ], was detained on April 5, 2014<ref name=roman_bannykh>. Podrobnosti. April 7, 2014</ref> |
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* Negrienko was arrested earlier in March 2014 for attempting to recruit Ukrainian police officers.<ref name=roman_bannykh/> |
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*], a psychologist and a leader of the extremist ], for allegedly planning to storm the Ukraine's parliament and Cabinet of Ministers buildings in Kiev by force. Bakhtiyarov, working under the guise of a civil society activist in Kiev, had recruited some 200 people for payment of $500 each to assist in storming the buildings and had stockpiled Molotov cocktails and various tools to carry out the provocation.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> The mastermind also arranged, with some Russian TV channels, to film the incident, which would then be blamed on Ukrainian radicals.<ref name=beast></ref> Russian writer and the founder of the banned ], ] described Bakhtiyarov as “a good guy, a psychiatrist, a commando, a vet of the ] and a participant of in the city hall seizure.”<ref name=beast /> |
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*Dmitry Kolesnikov, a member of ] was arrested.<ref></ref> |
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*Two Russian citizens (born in 1986 and 1987) were arrested in ] on April 2, 2014, suspected of plotting to take several Ukrainians hostage, including a presidential candidate. In one of the suspect's cars was found a 200-gram TNT block, detonator, and 16 ] rounds. Also 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 Lviv Regional Council, one former MP, photos of houses belonging to them, and plans for gaining access to them.<ref>{{cite news|title=SBU detains 2 Russians suspected of plotting to abduct Ukrainian politicians|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-2-russians-suspected-of-plotting-to-abduct-ukrainian-politicians-341979.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=3 April 2014}}</ref> |
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* Mariya Koleda, born 1991, arrested on April 9, 2014. Koleda is a Russian citizen who performed intelligence agencies’ tasks to destabilize the situation in the southern regions of Ukraine. On April 7, she took part in fights at the Mykolaiv Oblast Regional State Administration building using a firearm. She claims that she wounded 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. Koleda is an active member of the pro-Putin “Russia molodaya” (aka “Rosmol”).<ref></ref><ref></ref> |
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===Latvian citizen arrested=== |
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* A UK-based Latvian citizen ], an activist of Russia's ] and ], was arrested in ] on April 1, 2014 for "preparation of an armed coup to overthrow the government and to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine"<ref name=AYOBAND></ref><ref></ref> Previously Aijo had stated he came to Ukraine to "protect ] from ]."<ref name=AYOBAND/> |
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===Alexander Dugin=== |
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On 29 March, Russian political scientist ], one of the founders of the ] and known for his ties to Vladimir Putin, 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 South-east Ukraine.”<ref>, ] (2 April 2014)</ref><ref></ref> |
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Following the video's release, a member of Dugin's ] (Oleg Bakhtiyarov) was arrested on March 31 for planning terrorist acts in Ukraine.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> |
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==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
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File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0149.jpg|Pro-Russian demonstration in ], 1 March 2014. |
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File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0021.jpg|Protesters in ], 1 March 2014. |
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File:1 марта 2014 года в Донецке. У областного совета поднимают российский флаг.ogv|Protesters in ], 1 March 2014. |
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File:Russian spring (Luhansk 01.03.2014) 01.JPG|Protesters in ], 1 March 2014. |
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File:2014. Харьков 055.jpg|Protesters burn literature from far right groups in ], 1 March 2014. |
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</gallery> |
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==See also== |
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*] |
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*] |
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*] |
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==Notes== |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|3}} |
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==External links== |
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*{{commonscat-inline|2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine}} |
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{{Euromaidan}} |
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{{2014 Crimean crisis}} |
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{{Anti-government protests in the 21st century}} |
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