The conflict in Ukraine began with the rejection of the Association Agreement with the European Union by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. This aroused public discontent, which led to mass protests known as the Euromaidan.

During the protests, demonstrators clashed with security forces (the first incidents were recorded on 24 November 2013). The situation escalated in the second half of January 2014, with regular clashes in the streets of Kyiv. In the west of Ukraine, anti-presidential groups began to occupy public administration buildings. In February 2014, Ukrainian lawmakers raised demands for the reinstatement of the 2004 constitution, which limited the president’s powers. Clashes with security services spread in the streets. 18-20 February saw violent crackdown on protesters, with a death toll of almost 80 people. According to official data of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, between 30 November 2013 and 21 February 2014, 106 people were killed in protest policing operations. The demonstrators who died then are called the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.

Following the mediation conducted at that time with Viktor Yanukovych, with the participation of representatives of the European Union and the Ukrainian opposition, among others, an agreement was signed under which pre-term elections were to be called, the previous constitution limiting the president’s powers was to be reinstated and the process of rebuilding national unity was to begin. However, the Right Sector forces demanded the resignation of the president. On 22 February 2014, the Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution to remove Viktor Yanukovych from power. Oleksandr Turchynov became the acting president of Ukraine. The decision to depose Yanukovych raised legal doubts as the conditions for impeachment laid down in the constitution had not been met. Yanukovych fled to Russia, and Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s government was appointed in Ukraine.

Photo: By Ivan Bandura - Holding an EU flag, CC BY 2.0