Piedāvājam Jums speciālreportāžu par aktuālajiem notikumiem Ukrainā, ko mums nosūtījusi EKL draudzene no Kijevas, Ukrainā.

Anna Isajeva – strādā jauniešu NVO, iepriekš studējusi vēsturi; piedalījusies neskaitāmās starptautiskās jaunatnes programmās. Dzimusi un dzīvo Kijevā. Piedalījusies Oranžajā revolūcijā un aktīvi piedalās kā parasta pilsone aktuālajos notikumos Ukrainā. Viņa nav nevienas politiskās partijas pārstāve.

Anna Isaieva – working in youth NGO, before studied history; participated in numerous international youth programs. Born and live in Kyiv. Was lucky to participate in “Orange revolution”, is actively involved as ordinary citizen in today’s events in Ukraine. Is not a member of any political party.

Some notes from Kyiv, Ukraine

Last week (18.02 – 23.02.2014) in Kyiv was totally crazy and kaleidoscopic, full of boundary emotions and for sure – historical. For many, many Ukrainians it was time of spiritual earthquake. I do not want to make deep analysis, give any predictions or evaluate “actors”. It’s too early: we are still passing through tough times. Thousands of documents and evidences are appearing every day. Without deep analysis of it we cannot make transparent conclusions, we need time for this. I want to share with you what my country, my friends and I personally witnessed last week.

Kyiv Chronicles

18.02 – after clashes with police in January protesters occupied new buildings. Both sides stand on their positions. Parliament session was to be held. Protesters planed peaceful march to remind about demands of Maidan. Suddenly, special police forces together with armed “titushki” (paid criminals or fighters) attacked people. Till midday – 3 persons died. Till evening – 6. After unexpected success police forces start to storm of Maidan around 17.00, still light. As a rule, riot police start to act when it’s dark. On Tuesday, they were totally sure about fast victory and were comfortable with daylight.

First, they throw grenades in protesters near Zhovtnevy palace (situated on the hill near Maidan), follow them and beat. Some people jumped from the hills. In few minutes police occupied small bridge above Maidan and viewpoint. From there they throw grenades down on the heads of people on Maidan… Just to explain – Maidan is the central square, despite protests there are many simple people during the day: offices, nearby houses etc. City administration closed a metro to prevent supporters from coming to the centre. Long night began…

19.02 – On the morning after endless storm, Maidan still was alive. It became smaller. But full of people! People made new barricades, brought food, etc. In the midday truce between forces was held. In the same time, in regions people started uprising, they blocked special police forces and army to come to Kyiv, occupied local administrations, lied on the rails to stop trains with troops, stopped buses with police going to Kyiv. Some of them paid with their lives.

20.02 – early in the morning police forces broke the truce and started to attack. They used guns against unarmed people. Many injured and up to 25 protesters dropped dead. Part of the police left positions and run away. Till the evening almost all special police left centre of the city. Protesters again occupied buildings and areas abounded earlier.

The most shocking fact of that day – many protesters were killed by snipers, with one shot in head or heart. They shot even medical volunteer – 20-years old girl. Fortunately, she survived. Why? One of the versions is following – possible plan of authorities is to take from the centre part of troops, to shoot as much people as possible to push the protesters for radical actions (storm of Parliament and Governmental district) and then start violent “cleaning” of Kyiv. Parliament voted for taking out all special police forces out from Kyiv.

21.02 – ministers of foreign affairs of Poland, Germany and France came to Kyiv for negotiations. The solution they found and agreed with president was following: his party votes for changes in the Constitution, then 5 months for writing new one, and then new elections in December 2014. Just to remind – president elections was planned on October 2015. Europeans tried to convince opposition leaders, that together they would convince members of civil council of Maidan. And they signed. On Friday we learned that in 3 days 77 people were killed. In the evening, Maidan was full of people, politicians tried to speak and explain the situation but people were shouting and whistling. And then we saw how history is changing – an unknown soldier-sotnyk (leader of 100 soldiers) of self-defense forces of Maidan broke in on the scene. He made an ultimatum to the opposition: demanding resignation of Yanukovych or the following morning they would start a new storm. He is not a member of any political party or movement.

22.02 – a really kaleidoscopic day full of events. Pro-presidential party “Party of regions” lost members every hour as they resigned. All ministers and general prosecutor disappeared. And the president too. Parliament voted for resignation of President, new head of Parliament and freed Yulia Tymoshenko, who was on Maidan a few hours later.

In the same time it was first day of funerals of killed. According to last information – 82 people killed, amongst those there are still unknown bodies.

Personal and sometimes too emotional view of Anna:

I tried to summarise the most impressive highlights (from my point of view) of the past week personally. And it’s very hard as here every 10-20 minutes (literally) new information comes in; we make new plans and analysis. Till the Saturday (22.02) evening I was afraid to believe that president is really overthrown. For some time we still were waiting for some unexpected attack or tricky plan. But he really disappeared!

There were few things which influenced me for sure, which pushed to reconsider positions I was totally agreeing with before… of which I will think over and over again.

Storm of Maidan in the day – black smoke and police shooting on people in the centre of your city, in the 21 century, in the centre of Europe…

Victims – covered with bloodstained Ukrainian flag.

Pan Sikorski – yes, Polish minister, – he really impressed me, actually not him – rather his arguments for agreement with president. Overheard by journalist on the meeting with council of Maidan: “if you will not agree, you all will be killed”. Now I’m wondering is this a common argument  that diplomats use behind closed door? Or, probably, this is diplomacy itself? But I do not know any diplomats and cannot ask them.

Sotnyk who changed history of Maidan – the leader of sotnya (100 soldiers of self-defence forces). He spoke so emotionally and honest, probably it was a voice of all ordinary people who witnessed brutal storm, stayed alive and burying friends. Obviously, he is not experienced in high policy. Here is a video with him – it is in Ukrainian, but it changed history of my country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaougaTxEaU )

Funerals on Maidan – an endless nightmare, coffins in the crowd, prayers, silence, – unbelievable silence on such a huge square and tears… And two days like this. A mother of a young guy who was killed by a sniper; her only child: “Please, do not punish them (killers)! Forgive them and let him live with this …”

Instead of Conclusions

I remember my feelings after Orange Revolution when it became clear that protesters won – victory and unity. People smiling, laughing and hugging each other. Now the feeling is completely different – it’s a victory with salty tears. We paid terribly high price. We do not celebrate, we take a rest and remember our heroes: killed, tortured, disappeared, humiliated, mutilated. They represent different regions, social backgrounds, religions but were united by Maidan. It’s not yet a finish line; it’s a stage of a long way. The fight was not for surnames – one politician instead of another. It’s for global change in the system, for reloaded Ukraine. To be continued…

Anna Isaieva,

Kyiv, 25.02.2014