Voice of Ukraine

From Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (636th day): Today, we celebrate in Ukraine a Day of Dignity and Freedom. On this day in 2013 Revolution of Dignity started after our President Yanukovich returned from Moscow and announced that the future of Ukraine is not with Europe and European Union but in Customs Union with ruzzia. It is evident that the sudden change of Yanukovich’s direction was the result of putin’s control over Yanukovich. Whether Yanukovich was bribed or threatened into that decision didn’t matter; the people of Ukraine were not willing to be passive observers of the process of losing independence and freedom.

Revolution of Dignity lasted 94 days and ended with Yanukovich fleeing to ruzzia. A month later ruzzia annexed Crimea and a few months after they attacked Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east.

Revolution of Dignity was a peaceful protest even after riot police brutally beat up protesting students. There were hundreds of thousands of people on the streets standing for their rights with dignity and courage. There was no looting, alcohol was not allowed in protesters’ camp, people cared for each other, sharing food and warm clothes.

After 2 months of peaceful protest, Yanukovich decided to use force against protesters. Unarmed civilians were killed. Some nights towards the end of the Revolution were incredibly dark and hopeless. But just when we thought that armed riot police would overpower unarmed and less numerous protesters, something happened – Yanukovich ran out of country, riot police retreated, many of them also fled to ruzzia.

Humanly speaking there was no chance for protesters’ victory but it did happen. Looking at big ruzzian invasion that lasts now 636 days plus 8 years of ruzzian aggression in the east and occupation of Crimea, again the night seems dark and humanly speaking it’s hard to see when the war will end. But we trust God for Victory and maybe it will happen just like in 2014 – the tyrant in ruzzia will run (or be taken to God’s judgment) and the war will end. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues fighting the invaders. Day of Dignity and Freedom is not a fun celebration with fireworks (and never will be), but rather a day to remember what a high price has been already paid and renew commitment to keep fighting for Freedom till Victory.

If you want to better understand what happened during the Revolution of Dignity, you can watch the Netflix documentary Winter on Fire.

To see more photos that Maia posted see LINK