Also, they brought "democracy in coffin" to the city hall, as a present to Yanukovych. [72][239] They did not follow the impeachment process specified by the constitution, which would have involved formally charging Yanukovych with a crime, a review of the charge by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, and a three-fourths majority vote—at least 338 votes in favor—in Parliament. Police officers stormed the main protest camp on Maidan Nezalezhnosti and overran parts of the square. My television channel—Channel 5—played a tremendously important role. 50 persons, including top officials, are charged with organising the killing of protesters. Tents housing protesters were burning on the main square. [1][241][242], Turchynov claimed that Yanukovych had agreed to resign as president, but after consulting with advisers, he disavowed that and even pre-recorded a resignation statement. [245], On 23 February, Parliament deputy Oleh Lyashko claimed that Yanukovych had been seen at the Russian naval base in Sevastopol, preparing to flee the country on board a Russian military vessel. [140] Protesters at Independence Square continued to hear gunshots, despite the ceasefire agreement. The European Union required Ukraine to secure this aid package from the IMF in order to obtain about 1.6 billion euros pledged under the recently signed Ukraine-EU Association Agreement.

[136] According to opposition politician Yatsenyuk, the truce included a pledge from Yanukovych not to launch a police assault that night. [73] Over the next few days, Russian nationalist politicians and activists organised rallies in Crimea and urged Russia to help defend the region from advancing "fascists" from the rest of Ukraine. These people love the United States of America, they love freedom – and I don't think you could view this as anything other than our traditional support for people who want free and democratic society.[97].

On 20 February, Internal Affairs Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko announced that he had signed a decree authorising the use of live ammunition against protesters. [143] Opposition politician Klitschko issued a statement saying: "Armed thugs have been let loose in the streets to attack people and create an illusion that there is a confrontation between citizens. [314], On 21 March 2014, Oleh Makhnitsky, Ukraine Parliamentary Commissioner for the supervision of the General Prosecutor of Ukraine and a member of the right-wing Svoboda party, stated that the government had identified the snipers shooting at the demonstrators in Kyiv as "Ukrainian citizens," but did not release their names. But the protesters held their ground through the night, encircling the protest camp with new burning barricades of tires, furniture and debris. This is an official theory, and the unidentified persons could be various people, a whole host of them… It could have been motivated by disruptive behavior, or with the aim of provocation." [367] Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Natalia Korolevska stated on 2 January 2014 that these January 2014 payments would begin according to schedule. [42] The protesters proceeded to take control of the government. Vladyslav Musiyenko, Epeople: the best project about the faces of Euromaidan, Illustrator Sasha Godiayeva. [99], The night before the clashes, Right Sector called on all of its members to ready themselves for a "peace offensive" on 18 February. [257], In Vinnytsia on 22 January thousands protesters blocked the main street of the city and the traffic. [188] Lawmakers barred chiefs and commanders of the Interior Troops, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the SBU, and other government agencies from carrying out any counter-terrorism operations because they violated the Constitution of Ukraine. [218], By late afternoon, hundreds of riot police officers guarding the presidential compound and nearby government buildings had vanished.

People will decide themselves what to do depending on when and how their demands are satisfied. [288] The government also closed highways and railway access.

[408] She and her father posted a message on Facebook stating "In solidarity with the fighters on the barricades of the Maidan, and as a protest against the criminal actions made towards the protesters, the irresponsibility of the president and his lackey government, we refuse further performance at the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014. [190], Late in the evening, it was announced that five more MPs had left the parliamentary faction of the Party of Regions. [301] They also signed a statement rejecting the authority of Parliament. [274], The Ukrainian National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting instructed all cable operators on 11 March to stop transmitting a number of Russian channels, including the international versions of the main state-controlled stations—Rossiya 1, Channel One, and NTV—as well as Rossiya 24. Dismissively referring to slow-moving European efforts to address political paralysis and a looming fiscal crisis in Ukraine. Ook stuurde Rusland speciale eenheden, de zogeheten “little green men” die namens de anti-Maidanbeweging regeringsgebouwen overnamen op … [312] A German TV investigation met one of the few doctors that treated the wounded of both sides. for Halt to Agreements With Europe", "Historic defeat for EU as Ukraine returns to Kremlin control", MF not insisting on single-stage increase in tariffs, says resident representative in Ukraine, IMF links loan amount to Ukraine with reforms, Ukraine to resume talks with IMF soon, says Yanukovych, Ukraine fails to sign landmark deal at EU summit, Ukraine's rejection of EU deal brings rival rallies at home, Barroso: EU to continue its dialog with Ukraine on principles of mutual respect, transparency and responsibility, EU and Ukraine say 'door still open' for future trade pact, Yanukovych says Ukraine-EU deal is suspended, not cancelled, "Interview with Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko", "EU talking to IMF, World Bank, others about Ukraine assistance", "Ukraine leader seeks cash at Kremlin to fend off crisis", Half of Ukrainians don't support Kyiv Euromaidan, R&B poll, "Poll reveals Ukrainian majority supports EuroMaidan", Ukraine protesters take rally to Yanukovich’s residence, "Poll discovers EuroMaidan evolution from dreamy to radical", "Viktor Yanukovych: Losing Europe ... and Losing the Ukrainian Public?

[375] It intended to claim compensation for damage caused by all demonstrators, regardless of their political affiliation.

A Twitter account named Euromaidan was created on the first day of the protests. After the Euromaidan, eight former officials tied to Yanukovych's Party of Regions were found to have committed suicide. Investigators, he added, had established that Yanukovych's SBU chief, Oleksandr Yakymenko, who later fled the country, had received reports from FSB agents stationed in Ukraine, and that Yakymenko had held several briefings with the agents. If signed by the president, the bill would have disestablished Russian as a minority languages of Ukraine, although regions like Crimea are populated by a Russian-speaking majority. "[365], On 3 December, Azarov warned that Ukraine might not be able to fulfill its natural gas contracts with Russia.

He confirmed that many victims on both sides were shot by snipers, but they were shooting from other, taller buildings surrounding the Conservatory and was convinced they were snipers controlled by Russia. On 18 February at 16:00, the Kyiv Metro stopped because of a terrorist threat. The rally in Lviv in support of the integration of Ukraine into the EU was initiated by the students of local universities. [412] Serhy Yekelchyk of the University of Victoria says the use of UPA imagery and slogans was more of a potent symbol of protest against the current government and Russia rather than adulation for the insurgents themselves, explaining "The reason for the sudden prominence of [UPA symbolism] in Kyiv is that it is the strongest possible expression of protest against the pro-Russian orientation of the current government.

[221], A new parliamentary coalition was created after 28 MPs left the Party of Regions' faction. [325]