When pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych unleashed his riot squad against the peaceful Maidan protests 10 years ago, the die was cast – Ukrainians would have to fight to rejoin Europe.
From Kyiv Post By Stash Luczkiw
A meme appeared on social media shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022: “This is the third day of an eight-year war that Ukraine has been fighting with Russia for more than three and a half centuries.”
But if we want to be sticklers for dates, then Nov. 30, 2013 is as good a day as any to mark the beginning of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Why? Nine days prior to that date, on Nov. 21, students in Kyiv descended into Independence Square – better known as the Maidan – in order to protest President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to renege on a long-prepared EU Association Agreement. On Nov. 30 the peaceful demonstrators were attacked by riot police.
Euromaidan
The students dubbed the demonstration “Euromaidan.”
Voice of Ukraine 