2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{About|pro-Russian demonstrations in Ukraine outside of Crimea|the secession crisis in Crimea|2014 Crimean crisis}}
{{distinguish|2014 Ukrainian Regional State Administration occupations}}
{{POV|date=March 2014}}
{{POV|date=March 2014}}
{{unbalanced|date=April 2014}}
{{unbalanced|date=April 2014}}

{{Infobox civil conflict
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = Pro-Russian demonstrations in Ukraine
| title = 2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine
| partof = the aftermath of the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]]
| partof = the aftermath of the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]]

| image = Pro-russia-protests.png|600px
| caption =
| image = UkraineProtests2014.gif|600px
| caption = Comparison of pro-Russia vs. Ukraine protests
| date = 23 February 2014–present<br/>({{Age in months, weeks and days| year1= 2014 | month1 = 2| day1= 23}})
| date = 23 February 2014–present<br/>({{Age in months, weeks and days| year1= 2014 | month1 = 2| day1= 23}})
| place =[[Eastern Ukraine]]<br>[[Southern Ukraine]]<br>[[Crimea]]
| place = [[Eastern Ukraine]] ([[Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]], [[Kharkiv Oblast|Kharkiv]], [[Luhansk Oblast|Luhansk]]) and [[Southern Ukraine]] ([[Odessa Oblast|Odessa]], [[Dnipropetrovsk Oblast|Dnipropetrovsk]], [[Zaporizhia Oblast|Zaporizhia]], [[Mykolaiv Oblast|Mykolaiv]])
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| causes = *Opposition to the [[Euromaidan]] movement
| causes = *Opposition to the [[Euromaidan]] movement
*Opposition to the [[Yatsenyuk Government]]
*Opposition to the [[Yatsenyuk Government]]
*Opposition to inclusion of [[Svoboda (political party)|Svoboda]] and [[Right Sector]] in the government of Ukraine<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/06/opinion/speedie-ukraine-far-right/ Opinion: Rein in Ukraine's neo-fascists - CNN.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Opposition to inclusion of [[Svoboda (political party)|Svoboda]] and [[Right Sector]] in the government of Ukraine<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/06/opinion/speedie-ukraine-far-right/ Opinion: Rein in Ukraine's neo-fascists - CNN.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*The [[Verkhovna Rada]]'s vote on 23 February to repeal [[Legislation on languages in Ukraine|language law]] aimed at giving Russian and other minority languages (if in a region the percentage of a [[Demographics of Ukraine#After WWII|national minority]] exceeded 10%) the status of [[regional language]]<ref name=Lsaid24812/><ref name=Guardian4Jul2012>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/04/ukrainians-protest-russian-language-law Ukrainians protest against Russian language law], [[The Guardian]] (4 July 2012)</ref>{{Ref|NoteA|A}}
*The [[Verkhovna Rada]]'s vote on 23 February to repeal [[Legislation on languages in Ukraine|language law]] aimed at giving Russian and other minority languages (if in a region the percentage of a [[Demographics of Ukraine#After WWII|national minority]] exceeded 10%) the status of [[regional language]]<ref name=Lsaid24812>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/lytvyn-program-for-development-of-ukrainian-language-should-be-adopted-before-elections-312012.html Lytvyn:Program for development of Ukrainian language should be adopted before elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (24 August 2012)</ref><ref name=Guardian4Jul2012>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/04/ukrainians-protest-russian-language-law Ukrainians protest against Russian language law], [[The Guardian]] (4 July 2012)</ref>{{Ref|NoteA|A}}
*Banning of the [[Party of the Regions]] and the [[Communist Party of Ukraine]] in [[Western Ukraine]] oblasts by regional and local communities.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/party-of-regions-communist-party-banned-in-ivano-frankivsk-and-ternopil-regions-335655.html Party of Regions, Communist Party banned in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions] [[Kyiv Post]], 27 January 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/activity-of-regions-party-communist-party-yanukovychs-portraits-banned-in-drohobych-337297.html Activity of Regions Party, Communist Party, Yanukovych's portraits banned in Drohobych] Kyiv Post, 21 February 2014</ref><ref>[http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_24/Draft-bill-banning-Party-of-Regions-initiated-in-Ukraines-parliament-8293/ Draft bill banning Party of Regions initiated in Ukraine's parliament] [[Voice of Russia]], 24 February 2014</ref>
*Banning of the [[Party of the Regions]] and the [[Communist Party of Ukraine]] in [[Western Ukraine]] oblasts by regional and local communities.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/party-of-regions-communist-party-banned-in-ivano-frankivsk-and-ternopil-regions-335655.html Party of Regions, Communist Party banned in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions] [[Kyiv Post]], 27 January 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/activity-of-regions-party-communist-party-yanukovychs-portraits-banned-in-drohobych-337297.html Activity of Regions Party, Communist Party, Yanukovych's portraits banned in Drohobych] Kyiv Post, 21 February 2014</ref><ref>[http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_24/Draft-bill-banning-Party-of-Regions-initiated-in-Ukraines-parliament-8293/ Draft bill banning Party of Regions initiated in Ukraine's parliament] [[Voice of Russia]], 24 February 2014</ref>
| goals =
| goals = *The release of pro-Russian activists, including [[Pavel Gubarev]] (self proclaimed "people's governor" of [[Donetsk Oblast]])<ref name=march16nbc/>
*Transforming Ukraine into a [[federal state]]<ref name="march16nbc">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046|title=Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices|publisher=NBC News|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-17}}</ref><ref name="march16rt">{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/ukraine-kharkov-rights-donetsk-202/|title=Ukraine's east on fire: Kharkov demands referendum, Donetsk prosecutor’s HQ stormed|publisher=RT|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-017}}</ref>
*Transforming Ukraine into a [[federal state]]<ref name=march16nbc/><ref name=march16rt/>
*Referendum for [[Eastern Ukraine]] and [[Southern Ukraine]]<ref name=march16nbc/><ref name=march16rt/>
*Referendums on status for [[Eastern Ukraine]] and [[Southern Ukraine]]<ref name=march16nbc/><ref name=march16rt/>
*Decriminalization for previous ([[Viktor Yanukovych|Yanukovych]]) official in [[government of Ukraine]]{{cn|date=April 2014}}
*Decriminalization for previous ([[Viktor Yanukovych|Yanukovych]]) official in [[government of Ukraine]]{{cn|date=April 2014}}
*Making Russian an official language in Ukraine{{cn|date=April 2014}}
*Making Russian an official language in Ukraine{{cn|date=April 2014}}
| methods = *[[Occupation (protest)|Occupation]] of administrative buildings
| methods =
*[[Occupation (protest)|Occupation]] of administrative buildings
*Hoisting of the [[Flag of Russia|Russian flag]] over governmental buildings
*Hoisting of the [[Flag of Russia|Russian flag]] over governmental buildings
*[[Demonstration (protest)|Demonstration]]s
*[[Demonstration (protest)|Demonstration]]s
*Riots
*Riots
| status = Ongoing
| status =
*Pro-Russian demonstrators occur in [[Kharkiv]], [[Donetsk]], [[Odessa]], [[Luhansk]], [[Melitopol]], [[Mariupol]] [[Mykolaiv]]
*Pro-Kiev "Ukrainian unity" counter-demonstrations held
*Pro-Russian demonstrators temporarily seize the Regional State Administration buildings in [[Kharkiv Oblast]], [[Donetsk Oblast]] and [[Luhansk Oblast]], in addition to other government and Kiev-affiliated buildings.
*Ukrainian national TV council demands and [[2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine#25 March|largely achieves]] the shutdown of several Russian television channels in Ukraine.<ref name=RCiUS27314/>
*The [[Security Service of Ukraine]] and [[Militsiya|Ukrainian Police]] arrests several pro-Russian leaders, including [[Pavel Gubarev]], [[Arsen Klinchayev]], and [[Aleksandr Kharitonov (politician)|Aleksandr Kharitonov]].<ref>[http://news.liga.net/news/politics/1001104-v_luganske_zaderzhan_lider_separatistov_aleksandr_kharitonov.htm В Луганске задержан лидер сепаратистов Александр Харитонов]</ref>
*Increased [[Ukrainian military]] presence in [[border town]]s (bordering [[Russia]]).<ref name=Novoazovsk/>
*Protesters re-occupy RSA headquarters of Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Luhansk on April 6. Donetsk rebels declare a [[People's Republic of Donetsk]] and announce a referendum to join Russia, to be held before May 11.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/donetsk-republic-protestukraine-841/|title=Activists declare Donetsk republic after capturing regional administration in Eastern Ukraine|publisher=RT News|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779|title=Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People’s Republic|publisher=ITAR-TASS|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref>
| result =
| result =
| side1 =
| side1 =
*{{flagicon image|Coat of arms of Donetskaya Narodnaya Republic.png}} [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]]
*{{flagicon image|Coat of arms of Donetskaya Narodnaya Republic.png}} [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]]
*Eastern Front<ref>{{cite news|title=We want out of Ukraine: Donetsk protesters dig in at government building|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/08/world/europe/ukraine-donetsk-protesters-walsh/|author=Nick Paton Walsh|publisher=CNN|date=8 April 2014|accessdate=9 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk rallies in favor of independence referendum|url=http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-rally-referendum-601/|publisher=RT|date=5 April 2014|accessdate=9 April 2014}}</ref>
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} Pro-Russian demonstrators<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-26465465 BBC News - Ukraine crisis: What do the flags mean?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} Pro-Russian demonstrators<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-26465465 BBC News - Ukraine crisis: What do the flags mean?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Previous [[government of Ukraine]]
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Previous [[government of Ukraine]]
**[[Viktor Yanukovych|Yanukovych]] presidency in-exile<ref>[http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article4018516.ece I’m still in charge, says Yanukovych from Russian exile | The Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**[[Viktor Yanukovych|Yanukovych]] presidency in-exile<ref>[http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article4018516.ece I’m still in charge, says Yanukovych from Russian exile | The Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]]
* [[2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine#List of notable separatists|Russian activists and radicals]]
* Russian activists and radicals<ref name=ruscit />
*[[File:Generalstaff central dep.svg|22px]] [[Main Intelligence Directorate (Russia)|GRU]]<ref name=apaar>[http://en.apa.az/xeber_separatists_arrested_in_east_of_ukraine_208382.html Separatists arrested in east of Ukraine], [[Azerbaijan Press Agency]] (11 March 2014)</ref>
*[[File:Flag of Don Cossacks.svg|20px|border|Flag of the Don Cossacks]] [[Don Cossacks]]<ref name=ljsdg>[http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-maidan-vigilantes-violence/25247025.html Mushrooming Citizen Patrols In Ukraine Raise Fear Of More Violence, Divisions], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (January 29, 2014 )</ref>
| side2 =
| side2 =
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Acting [[government of Ukraine]]
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Acting [[government of Ukraine]]
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**[[Yatsenyuk Government]]
**[[Yatsenyuk Government]]
**{{flagicon image|Flag of the Security Service of Ukraine.png}} [[Security Service of Ukraine]]
**{{flagicon image|Flag of the Security Service of Ukraine.png}} [[Security Service of Ukraine]]
**{{flagicon image|NGU command.jpg}}[[National Guard of Ukraine]]<br> (Deployment reported as part of [[Counter-insurgency#Tactics|South-East]] [[Counter-terrorism#Preemptive_neutralization|Ukraine CTO]] (''Counter-Terrorism Operation''))
**{{flagicon image|NGU command.jpg}}[[National Guard of Ukraine]]
**[[Blackwater_USA_businesses#Greystone_Limited| Greystone Limited (PMC)]] (Reported but not independently confirmed)<ref name=RFMS8414/><ref name=BBCRMS8414/>{{disputed-inline|date=April 2014}}{{efn|If confirmed, such actions would be a serious violation of the so-called [[United Nations Mercenary Convention]] to which the Ukraine is a signatory. Furthermore, they would also constitute a major breach of the relevant articles, protocols, and provisions of the [[Geneva Conventions]], including ''Article 47'', ''Protocol I'' (note however that the U.S. does not recognize an important later amending protocol to the Conventions regarding mercenaries, namely ''APGC77''). PMC personnel acting under such circumstances could even end up falling under the arcane, but still valid legal classification of ''[[Francs-tireurs|francs-tireurs]]'', but '''without''' the protection of ''Article 4'' of the [[Third Geneva Convention]]. In a worse case scenario, this would allow any hostile regular military forces to summarily execute such personnel so designated upon capture.}}
*Political parties
*Political parties
**[[Batkivshchyna]]
**[[Batkivshchyna]]
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**[[Radical Party (Ukraine)|Radical Party]]
**[[Radical Party (Ukraine)|Radical Party]]
*[[Right Sector]] militants<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-invasion-in-crimea/article5788075.ece Ukraine accuses Russia of invasion in Crimea] [[The Hindu]], 16 march 2014</ref>
*[[Right Sector]] militants<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-invasion-in-crimea/article5788075.ece Ukraine accuses Russia of invasion in Crimea] [[The Hindu]], 16 march 2014</ref>
**[[Patriots of Ukraine|Patrioty Ukrainy]] (Ukrainian Patriots)<ref name=ukrainianpatriots/>
**[[Patriots of Ukraine]]<ref name="ukrainianpatriots">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0315/602466-ukraine/ Two killed in clashes in eastern Ukraine</ref>
| side3 =
| side3 =
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures1 =
{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} [[Pavel Gubarev]] (Donetsk)<br />
{{flagicon image|Coat of arms of Donetskaya Narodnaya Republic.png}} [[Andrei Purgin]] (Donetsk)<ref>{{cite news|title=Echoes Of Crimea Keep Ukraine's East Rumbling|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=292011844|publisher=[[NPR]] (AP)|date=20 March 2014|accessdate=9 April 2014}}</ref><br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} [[Arsen Klinchayev]] (Luhansk)<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} [[Aleksandr Kharitonov (politician)|Aleksandr Kharitonov]] (Kharkiv)<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the St George Ribbon.png}} [[Anton Davidchenko]] (Odessa)<br />
{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Viktor Yanukovych]]<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26427848 BBC News - Ukraine's Yanukovych asked for troops, Russia tells UN<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br />{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Mikhail Dobkin]]<br />{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Hennadiy Kernes]]
| leadfigures2 =
{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Oleksandr Turchynov]]<br/>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Arseniy Yatsenyuk]]<br />{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Andriy Parubiy]]<br/>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Valentyn Nalyvaichenko]]<br/>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Arsen Avakov (politician)|Arsen Avakov]]<br/>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Vitali Klitschko]]<br/>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Oleh Lyashko]]<br />{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Serhiy Taruta]]<br/>{{nowrap|{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Mykhailo Bolotskykh]]}}<br/>{{nowrap|{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ihor Baluta]]}}
| leadfigures3 =
| leadfigures3 =
| howmany1 =
| howmany1 =
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| casualties1 =
| casualties1 =
*Died: 2<ref name="UkraineNationalists">[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/two-killed-ukraine-protesters-clash-kharkiv-1440436 Two Killed in Ukraine as Protesters Clash in Kharkiv]. [[International Business Times]]. March 15, 2014</ref>
*Died: 2<ref name="UkraineNationalists">[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/two-killed-ukraine-protesters-clash-kharkiv-1440436 Two Killed in Ukraine as Protesters Clash in Kharkiv]. [[International Business Times]]. March 15, 2014</ref>
*Arrested: At least 70<ref name="march15lifenews">{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/129084|title=В Донецке митингующие начали штурмовать здание СБ Украины|publisher=LifeNews.ru|date=2014-03-15|accessdate=2014-03-15}}</ref>
*Arrested: At least 70<ref name=march15lifenews/>
| casualties2 =
| casualties2 =
*Died: 2<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/13/7018700/ Two people were killed during clashes between participants of rallies in Donetsk]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. March 13, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/14/7018716/ 2 died and 50 people were injured in clashes in Donetsk]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. March 13, 2014</ref>
*Died: 2<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/13/7018700/ Two people were killed during clashes between participants of rallies in Donetsk]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. March 13, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/14/7018716/ 2 died and 50 people were injured in clashes in Donetsk]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. March 13, 2014</ref>
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}}
}}


<!-- No bolding per WP:BOLDTITLE -->Since the end of February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups have taken place in major cities across the south-eastern regions of [[Ukraine]], in the aftermath of the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]] and the [[Euromaidan]] movement.
Since the end of February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups have taken place in major cities across the south-eastern regions of [[Ukraine]], in the aftermath of the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]] and the [[Euromaidan]] movement. Various Russian news media outlets have used the term ''Russian Spring'' ({{lang-ru|Русская весна}}) to describe the protests.<ref name=skvortsov>[http://rian.com.ua/analytics/20140303/340429692.html "Русская весна" на Юго-Востоке Украины]</ref>
==Background==
{{See also|Euromaidan|2014 Ukrainian revolution}}
Ukraine has been gripped by unrest since [[President of Ukraine|President]] [[Viktor Yanukovych]] refused to sign [[Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement|an association agreement]] with the [[European Union]] on 21 November 2013. A widespread movement known as '[[Euromaidan]]' demanded closer ties with the European Union, and the ouster of President Yanukovych.<ref name=Reuters121213>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/12/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BA04420131212 Kiev protesters gather, EU and Putin joust], [[Reuters]] (12 December 2013)</ref> This movement was ultimately successful, culminating in the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]], which removed Yanukovych and [[Second Azarov Government|his government]].<ref name=RFEKT25114>[http://www.rferl.org/content/protesters-police-tense-standoff-ukraine/25241945.html Yanukovych Offers Opposition Leaders Key Posts ], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (25 January 2014)</ref> However, some people in largely [[Russophone]] [[Eastern Ukraine|Eastern]] and [[Southern Ukraine]], the traditional bases of support for Yanukovych and his [[Party of the Regions]], did not approve of the ouster, and began to protest in favour of closer ties with [[Russia]].


Starting on 23 February 2014, various demonstrations were held in [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Crimea]] in favour of leaving Ukraine and accession to the [[Russian Federation]], leading to the [[2014 Crimean crisis]].
Beginning on 1 March, several governors' offices (RSA's) in various [[Eastern Ukraine|Eastern Ukrainian]] [[Oblasts of Ukraine|oblasts]] (provinces) were briefly occupied by pro-Russian activists. By 11 March all occupations had ended, after units of the local police and the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] (SBU) re-took the buildings.<ref name=march6cbs/> In [[Donetsk]], protests have descended into violence on multiple occasions, including on 13 March where one pro-Kiev protester was stabbed to death.<ref name=reutersmarch13/><ref name=DEN5314>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/05/ukraine-donetsk-government-building-recaptured/ Ukraine: Donetsk government building recaptured], [[Euronews]] (5 March 2014)<br>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/07/ukraine-police-on-alert-as-violence-erupts-at-pro-russia-demo/ Ukraine police on alert as violence erupts at pro-Russia demo], [[Euronews]] (7 March 2014)</ref> In [[Kharkiv]], [[Patriots of Ukraine]] members shot dead a pro-Russian 'Oplot' gang member and a passerby on the night of 15 March when pro-Russian protesters attacked the [[Right Sector]] headquarters.<ref name=UkraineNationalists/>


On 1 March, regional state administration buildings (RSAs) in various [[Eastern Ukraine|eastern Ukrainian]] [[Oblasts of Ukraine|oblasts]] were briefly occupied by pro-Russian activists. By 11 March, all occupations had ended, after units of the local police and the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] (SBU) re-took the buildings.<ref name=march6cbs/> In [[Donetsk]], protests have descended into violence on multiple occasions, including on 13 March where one pro-Kiev protester was stabbed to death.<ref name="reutersmarch13">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-idUSBREA2C20Z20140313|title=One dead in Ukraine clash in eastern city|publisher=Reuters|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref><ref name=DEN5314>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/05/ukraine-donetsk-government-building-recaptured/ Ukraine: Donetsk government building recaptured], [[Euronews]] (5 March 2014)<br>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/07/ukraine-police-on-alert-as-violence-erupts-at-pro-russia-demo/ Ukraine police on alert as violence erupts at pro-Russia demo], [[Euronews]] (7 March 2014)</ref> In [[Kharkiv]], [[Patriots of Ukraine]] members shot dead a pro-Russian 'Oplot' gang member and a passerby on the night of 15 March when pro-Russian protesters attacked the [[Right Sector]] headquarters.<ref name=UkraineNationalists/>
According to officials and pro-government eyewitness accounts not all attendees of the protests are Ukrainian nationals; but a significant number of them are [[Russian citizens]].<ref name=ruscit>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html?_r=0 From Russia, ‘Tourists’ Stir the Protests], [[NY Times]] (MARCH 3, 2014)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/southeastern-ukraine-invaded-by-pro-russian-protesters-338629.html Southeastern Ukraine gets invasion of Russian protesters], [[Kyiv Post]] (March 7, 2014)</ref> Pro-Russian activists, meanwhile, say that pro-Ukrainian counter-protesters consist of paid attendees and students who are under threat of expulsion from their universities (if they fail to attend the pro-Ukrainian rallies).<ref name=march14vor/> Donetsk oblast governor [[Serhiy Taruta]] alleges that rallies in [[Donetsk]] contain ex-convicts and others who traveled from [[Crimea]].<ref>http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/doneckimi-separatistami-viyavilisya-kolishni-zeki-i-gastroleri-z-krimu-341899.html</ref> Ukraine's security forces and border guards since 4 March have denied more than 8,200 Russians into the country as of 25 March. On 27 March, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said that between 500 and 700 Russians were being denied entry daily.<ref name="kyivpost.com">http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-russian-provocateur-believed-to-have-planned-raid-on-ukrainian-parliament-cabinet-341555.html</ref>

Various Russian news media outlets have used the term ''Russian Spring'' ({{lang-ru|Русская весна}}) to describe the protests.<ref name=skvortsov>[http://rian.com.ua/analytics/20140303/340429692.html "Русская весна" на Юго-Востоке Украины]</ref>

==Background==
{{expand section|date=March 2014}}
Late January 2014 self-defense groups were hastily being formed in [[Zaporizhia]], [[Dnipropetrovsk]], [[Cherkasy]], [[Sumy]], and [[Odessa]] based on volunteers, including [[Cossacks]] and [[Soviet Afghanistan war]] veterans, that had helped breaking up [[Euromaidan|pro-EU rallies]] in those cities.<ref name=ljsdg/> Their aim was keeping (what they describe as) violent radical antigovernment rioters at bay.<ref name=ljsdg/> At the time [[Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk]] had already formally authorized vigilante groups and Ukraine's [[Second Azarov Government]] had reportedly tasked the justice ministry with legalizing such groups nationwide.<ref name=ljsdg>[http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-maidan-vigilantes-violence/25247025.html Mushrooming Citizen Patrols In Ukraine Raise Fear Of More Violence, Divisions], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (January 29, 2014 )</ref>


According to officials and pro-government eyewitness accounts not all attendees of the protests are Ukrainian nationals; but a significant number of them are [[Russian citizens]].<ref name=ruscit>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html?_r=0 From Russia, ‘Tourists’ Stir the Protests], [[NY Times]] (MARCH 3, 2014)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/southeastern-ukraine-invaded-by-pro-russian-protesters-338629.html Southeastern Ukraine gets invasion of Russian protesters], [[Kyiv Post]] (March 7, 2014)</ref> Pro-Russian activists, meanwhile, say that pro-Ukrainian counter-protesters consist of paid attendees and students who are under threat of expulsion from their universities (if they fail to attend the pro-Ukrainian rallies).<ref name="march14vor">{{cite news|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_13/Euromaidan-protestors-start-fight-with-pro-Russia-activists-in-Donetsk-6806/|title=Euromaidan protestors start fight with pro-Russia activists in Donetsk|publisher=The Voice of Russia|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> Donetsk oblast governor [[Serhiy Taruta]] alleges that rallies in [[Donetsk]] contain ex-convicts and others who traveled from [[Crimea]].<ref>[http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/doneckimi-separatistami-viyavilisya-kolishni-zeki-i-gastroleri-z-krimu-341899.html Донецькими сепаратистами виявилися колишні зеки і гастролери з Криму - Новини України на 1+1 - ТСН.ua<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Ukraine's security forces and border guards since 4 March have denied more than 8,200 Russians into the country as of 25 March. On 27 March, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said that between 500 and 700 Russians were being denied entry daily.<ref name="kyivpost.com">[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-russian-provocateur-believed-to-have-planned-raid-on-ukrainian-parliament-cabinet-341555.html SBU detains Russian provocateur believed to have planned raid on parliament, cabinet buildings (UPDATE)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===Public opinion===
===Public opinion===
In a poll conducted by [[Kyiv International Institute of Sociology]] in the first half of February 2014 33.2% of polled in [[Donetsk Oblast]] believed "Ukraine and Russia must unite into a single state", in [[Luhansk Oblast]] this number was 24.1%, in [[Odessa Oblast]] 24%, in [[Zaporizhia Oblast]] 16.7%, in [[Kharkiv Oblast]] 15.1% and in [[Dnipropetrovsk Oblast]] 13.8%.<ref>[http://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=236&page=1 How relations between Ukraine and Russia should look like? Public opinion polls’ results], [[Kyiv International Institute of Sociology]] (4 March 2014)</ref>
A poll conducted by [[Kyiv International Institute of Sociology]] in the fist half of February 2014 assessed support for union with Russia throughout Ukraine. It found that, overall, 12% of those polled favoured union with Russia.<ref>[http://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=236&page=1 How relations between Ukraine and Russia should look like? Public opinion polls’ results], [[Kyiv International Institute of Sociology]] (4 March 2014)</ref> However, support for such a union was found to be much higher in certain areas:
*41.0% [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Crimea]]
*33.2% [[Donetsk Oblast]]
*24.1% [[Luhansk Oblast]]
*24.0% [[Odessa Oblast]]
*16.7% [[Zaporizhia Oblast]]
*15.1% [[Kharkiv Oblast]]
*13.8% [[Dnipropetrovsk Oblast]]


In an opinion poll taken 14-26 March by the [[International Republican Institute]], 26-27% of Southern and Eastern Ukraine view the [[Euromaidan]] protests as a coup d'etat. Only 5% of respondents in Eastern Ukraine feel Russian-speakers are 'definitely' under pressure or threat. 43% of ethnic Russians ('definitely' or 'rather') support the decision of the Russian Federation to send its army to protect Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine. A minority 22% of Southern Ukraine and 26% of Eastern Ukraine support the idea of federalization of the country; 69% of Southern and 53% of Eastern support Ukraine remaining as a unitary state; 2% of Southern and 4% of Eastern support separatism ("divide into several countries").<ref>http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20April%205%20IRI%20Public%20Opinion%20Survey%20of%20Ukraine,%20March%2014-26,%202014.pdf</ref>
In another opinion poll conducted from 14–26 March by the [[International Republican Institute]], 26-27% of the polled Southern and Eastern Ukrainians viewed the [[Euromaidan]] protests as a coup d'etat. Only 5% of respondents in Eastern Ukraine felt that Russian-speakers were 'definitely' under pressure or threat. 43% of ethnic Russians ('definitely' or 'rather') supported the decision of the Russian Federation to send its military to protect Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine. In the poll, 22% of Southern Ukraine, and 26% of Eastern Ukraine supported the idea of federalization of the country; 69% of Southern and 53% of Eastern supported Ukraine remaining as a unitary state; 2% of Southern and 4% of Eastern supported separatism ("divide into several countries").<ref>http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20April%205%20IRI%20Public%20Opinion%20Survey%20of%20Ukraine,%20March%2014-26,%202014.pdf</ref>


==Timeline of the events==
==Timeline==
{{main|Timeline of the 2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine}}
[[File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0015.jpg|thumb|Pro-Russian protesters remove a [[Flag of Ukraine|Ukrainian flag]] and replace it with a [[Flag of Russia|Russian flag]] in front of the [[Donetsk Oblast]] Regional State Administration building, 1 March 2014]]
==Unrest by region==
{{for|rallies held between November 2013 and February 2014|Antimaidan}}
{{See also|2014 Ukrainian Regional State Administration occupations}}
===Crimea===
{{Main|2014 Crimean crisis}}
Beginning on February 26, pro-Russian forces, many of which were widely believed to be Russian military without insignias,<ref>"[http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2014/03/the-putin-way-of-lying.html Putin's crisis spreads]"</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera English">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/warning-shots-end-osce-crimea-entry-bid-20143815135639790.html |title=Warning shots end OSCE Crimea entry bid - Europe |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=2014-03-11}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600|title=Ukraine crisis: Russia vows troops will stay|date=3 March 2014|accessdate=3 March 2014|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Sam |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a701f3e8-a527-11e3-8988-00144feab7de.html#axzz2vFnXrLQx |title=US scorns Russia's version of Crimean intervention |work=Financial Times |date=21 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/12/us-ukraine-crisis-osce-idUSBREA2B1C120140312 |title=OSCE team say Crimea roadblock gunmen threatened to shoot at them |publisher=Reuters |date= |accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref><ref name = "NYT">{{cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/world/europe/crimea-ukraine.html |title=Gunmen Seize Government Buildings in Crimea|work=The New York Times|date= 27 February 2014|accessdate= 1 March 2014 |quote = Masked men with guns seized government buildings in the capital of Ukraine's Crimea region on Thursday, barricading themselves inside and raising the Russian flag after mysterious overnight raids that appeared to be the work of militant Russian nationalists who want this volatile Black Sea region ruled from Moscow.}}</ref><ref name="reuters.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140228 |title=Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Yanukovich reappears | agency =Reuters|date=1 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite news| agency = Reuters | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/01/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140301 | date = 1 March 2014 | title= Putin ready to invade Ukraine; Kiev warns of war| postscript = &#123;&#123;inconsistent citations&#125;&#125; }}</ref><ref name="upi.com">{{Cite news | url = http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/28/Telecom-services-sabotaged-in-Ukraines-Crimea-region/7611393621345/ | title = Telecom services sabotaged in Ukraine's Crimea region | agency = United Press International | accessdate = 28 February 2014}}</ref> began to gradually [[2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine|take control of the Crimean peninsula]]. During this time, the question of joining the Russian Federation was put to a [[Crimean status referendum, 2014|referendum]], which had a official turnout of 83 per cent and resulted in a 96% affirmative vote <ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum-to-join-russia/1872380.html Crimea Applies to Join Russia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> but has been condemned by the EU, the USA, Ukrainian and [[Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People|Crimean Tatar]] officials as contrary to Ukraine's constitution and to international law.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26595776 BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Russia isolated in UN Crimea vote<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://m.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/03/14/referendum-in-crimea-and-international-law.html Alexander Mezyaev - Referendum in Crimea and International Law - Strategic Culture Foundation - on-line journal > Referendum in Crimea and International Law > m.strategic-cult...<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>[http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/voter_turnout_at_pseudo_referendum_in_crimea_was_maximum_30_40_percent___mejlis_318657 Voter turnout at pseudo-referendum in Crimea was maximum 30-40 percent - Mejlis]. [[Ukrinform]]</ref> On March 17, the Crimean Parliament declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26609667 BBC News - Crimean parliament formally applies to join Russia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On March 18 Russia and Crimea signed a [[Treaty on the Adoption of the Republic of Crimea to Russia|treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian Federation]].<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/excerpts-putins-speech-crimea-170614514.html Excerpts from Putin's speech on Crimea - Yahoo News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26652058 BBC News - Crimea crisis: Russian President Putin's speech annotated<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[United Nations General Assembly|U.N. General Assembly]] passed a non-binding [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262|resolution]] that declared that the referendum was invalid, and the incorporation of Crimea into Russia as illegal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Charbboneau|first=Louis|title=U.N. General Assembly declares Crimea secession vote invalid|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA2Q1GA20140327|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=27 March 2014}}</ref><ref>en.itar-tass.com/russia/725802</ref>


===22 February===
===Donetsk===
Pro-Russian protesters occupied the [[Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]] [[Oblasts of Ukraine|regional state administration]] (RSA) building from 1 March to 6 March, before being removed by the [[Security Service of Ukraine]].<ref name="march6cbs">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukrainian-city-of-donetsk-epitomizes-countrys-crisis/|title=Ukrainian city of Donetsk epitomizes country's crisis|publisher=CBS News|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c427c7dc-a558-11e3-8070-00144feab7de.html#axzz2vFkRuWdS|title=Oligarch tries to stamp Kiev authority on restive east|publisher=The Financial Times|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref>
30,000 Euromaidan protesters gathered in Kharkiv.<ref>http://gordonua.com/news/politics/Na-mitinge-v-Harkove-sobralis-okolo-30-tysyach-aktivistov-Evromaydana-10983.html</ref><!--please comment on the outcome-->


According to Ukrainian authorities the seizure of RSA's are part of "a script which has been written in the Russian Federation" to destabilize Ukraine and bring in Russian troops executed by "about 1,500 radicals in each region who spoke with clear Russian accents".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/07/us-ukraine-crisis-storm-idUSBREA350B420140407|title=Protests in eastern Ukraine aimed at bringing in Russian troops, warns PM|publisher=Reuters|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref>
===1 March===
On 1 March 2014, the council of [[Luhansk Oblast]], Ukraine's easternmost region, voted to demand giving Russian language the status of second official language, stop ″persecution of [[Berkut]] fighters″, disarm Maidan self-defense units and ban a number political organizations like [[Svoboda (political party)|Svoboda]] and [[UNA-UNSO]]. It threatened the Ukrainian central authorities that it reserved the right ″to ask for help from the brotherly people of the [[Russian Federation]].″<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_oblsovet-luganskaya-ugrozhaet-razoruzhit-majdan-rukami-bratskoj-rossii/545140 |title=Облсовет Луганская угрожает разоружить Майдан руками "братской" России |publisher=Gazeta.ua |accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref> Pro-Russian citizens held a rally of up to 5,000 against new government and for demand of referendum of further Ukraine destiny.<ref name="pravda.com.ua">http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/2/7017106/</ref><ref name="1tv.ru">http://www.1tv.ru/news/world/253227</ref><ref name="day.kiev.ua">http://www.day.kiev.ua/ru/news/010314-v-luganskoy-oblasti-segodnya-proshli-prorossiyskie-mitingi</ref><ref>http://tvrain.ru/articles/nad_zdaniem_administratsii_luganska_podnjali_rossijskij_flag-364095/?autoplay=false</ref>


On Sunday, 6 April 2014, 1,000-2,000<ref name=BBC100a6414>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210|title=Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=6 April 2014}}</ref> pro-Russia protesters attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine.<ref name=rtapr6>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-protest-russia-733/|title=Pro-Russian protesters seize govt buildings in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov|publisher=[[Russia Today]]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref> After which, 200 separatists (according to Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for Donetsk local police, about 1,000<ref name=BBC100a6414/>) pro-Russian protesters stormed and took control of the first two floors of the building, breaking down doors and smashing windows. The administration headquarters were empty, with only guards inside, as government officials would not work there on Sundays.<ref name=rtapr6 /> The separatists demanded that if an extraordinary session was not held by officials, announcing a referendum to join Russia, they would declare unilateral control by forming a "People's Mandate" at noon on 7 April, and dismiss all elected council members and MPs.<ref name="NovDnUa1">{{cite web|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/|title=Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях|language=Russian|website=novosti.dn.ua|date=6 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="UPravda1">{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/|title=Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ|language=Ukrainian|publisher=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]]|date=6 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/|title=Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ|language=Russian|website=novosti.dn.ua|date=6 April 2014}}</ref> The people who voted within the RSA were not elected to the positions they assumed.<ref name=BBCtha>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928 Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic'], [[BBC News]] (7 April 2014)</ref> According to the Russian [[ITAR-TASS]] the declaration was voted by some regional legislators, however there are claims that neither the Donetsk city council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah|title=The Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful actions|website=NGO.Donetsk|date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=DCCNI>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199512.html Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (7 April 2014)</ref>
There were reports of busloads of Russian citizens crossing the border into Ukraine in order to support pro-Russian demonstrators.<ref name="NYT140304">{{cite news | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html | title = From Russia, 'Tourists' Stir the Protests | first = Andrew | last = Roth | work = The New York Times | date = 4 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBC140304">{{cite news | url = http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-26435333 | title = Russian site recruits 'volunteers' for Ukraine | work = BBC News | date = 4 March 2014 }}</ref> At an administrative building in [[Kharkiv]], a Russian from Moscow replaced the Ukrainian flag with a Russian one.<ref name="NYT140304" /> Demonstrators supporting Russia vandalized the parliament building and beat civilians, but [[Reuters]] reported that this had alienated many local ethnic Russians, who were speaking and mobilizing in support of the Ukrainian government.<ref name=tideD/><ref>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/01/ukraine-violent-clashes-in-kharkiv-leave-dozens-injured/ Ukraine: Violent clashes in Kharkiv leave dozens injured], [[Euronews]] (3 February 2014)</ref> The flag was restored and 200 policemen guarded the building.<ref name=tideD>{{cite web|url=http://www.trust.org/item/20140304195551-n3lid/|title=Tide of opinion turns against Russia in Ukraine's east|publisher=Reuters (via Reuters Foundation)|author=Reuters|date=4 February 2014}}</ref>


====People's Republic of Donetsk====
Protesters in [[Donetsk]] reportedly raised the Russian tricolor over the [[Donetsk Regional State Administration Building|Donetsk Oblast Regional Administration building]], in addition to electing a new pro-Russian governor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=1335753&1335753 |title=Вести.Ru: На митинге в Донецке избран новый губернатор |publisher=Vesti.ru |date=1 March 2014|accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref> Demonstrators in [[Mariupol]] also protested in front of regional offices, waving Russian flags.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/novostidnua/status/439731112214929409|title=В Мариуполе у здания горсовета сняли флаг Украины и поместили флаг РФ|publisher=Twitter|date=2014-03-01|accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref> In [[Kharkiv]], protesters seized the regional administration building and a Russian from [[Moscow]] replaced a Ukrainian flag with a Russian one.<ref name=NYT140304>{{cite news | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/russias-hand-can-be-seen-in-the-protests.html | title = From Russia, ‘Tourists’ Stir the Protests | first = Andrew | last = Roth | work = The New York Times | date = 4 March 2014 }}</ref> A representative of the new government in Kiev attempted to talk with the protesters, but was attacked by the crowd.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/128166|title=В Харькове митингующие ворвались в здание областной администрации|publisher=LifeNews.ru|date=2014-03-01|accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref> According to Interfax, between 5,000 to 20,000 participated in a pro-Russian demonstration in [[Odessa]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Conal Urquhart |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates |title=UN security council in emergency meeting after Russian parliament approves use of military against Ukraine- live updates |publisher=theguardian.com |date=2014-01-03 |accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref> Russian flags were reportedly raised in [[Melitopol]] and [[Yevpatoria]].<ref name="rtmarch1">{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/kiev-clashes-rioters-police-571/|title=Ukraine turmoil LIVE UPDATES|publisher=RT|date=2014-03-01|accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref>
On 6 April, the leaders of the separatist group [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]] announced that a referendum, on whether [[Donetsk Oblast]] should "join the [[Russian Federation]]", would take place "no later than 11 May 2014."<ref name="rtapril7">{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/donetsk-republic-protestukraine-841/|title=Activists declare Donetsk republic after capturing regional administration in Eastern Ukraine|publisher=RT News|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref><ref name="itartassapril7">{{cite news|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779|title=Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People’s Republic|publisher=ITAR-TASS|date=2014-04-07|accessdate=2014-04-07}}</ref> Additionally, the group's leaders have appealed to Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region. <ref name=rtapril7/><ref name=itartassapril7/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQO42EkRpbs#t=211|title=обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В.|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>


In response to the actions, acting Ukrainian President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] vowed to launch a major counter-terrorism operation against separatist movements in the country’s eastern regions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Russian Group in Donetsk declare independence from Ukraine|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/pro-russian-group-in-donetsk-declare-independence-from-ukraine/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref> Later that day, the SBU office in [[Donetsk]] was retaken by SBU Alpha Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/905156-v-donetske-v-rezultate-spetsoperatsii-osvobojdeno-zdanie-sbu.html|title=В Донецке в результате спецоперации освобождено здание СБУ|language=Russian|publisher=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/ukr/news/sbu_v_donetsku_zvilneno_vid_separatistiv___syumar_1926482|title=
The city council of [[Donetsk]] voted on 1 March to have a referendum on the status of the region but lawmakers made no mention of what question would be asked or when,<ref name=tideD/> while more than 10,000 people took part on a rally to stress their allegiance to ousted president [[Viktor Yanukovych]].
Спецназ вигнав сепаратистів з будівлі СБУ в Донецьку - Сюмар|language=Ukrainian|publisher=[[Ukrinform]]|date=7 April 2014}}</ref>


On the morning of 8 April, the 'Patriotic Forces of Donbass', a pro-Kyiv group unrelated to [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]] organization who proclaimed independence and seized the council<ref>[http://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/807417-V-Donecke-otmenili-sozdanie-Doneckoi-respybliki В Донецке отменили создание "Донецкой республики"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, issued a statement on its Facebook page against the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals. Their announcement stated that they would quash the potential state's establishment, cancel the referendum, and, on their part, stated that the declaration is illegal.<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021722/ Донецька республіка не протрималася і дня? | Українська правда<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Protesters reportedly gave up some weapons too.<ref name=ENDRD8414>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/ukraine-forces-retake-kharkiv-building-pro-russians-hold-out-elsewhere/ Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere], [[Euronews]] (2 April 2014)</ref> Despite this, the [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]] organization continued to occupy the RSA and declared themselves the legitimate authority, and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader Pavel Gubarev.<ref name=proclUP8414>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ "Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (8 April 2014)</ref>{{efn|The group stated they:<br>1) do not recognize the Ukrainian authorities;<br>2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;<br>3) "sent into retirement" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor [[Serhiy Taruta]];<br>4) "prescribed" in the May 11 referendum on self-determination Donetsk;<br>5) require the issuance of its leader [[Pavel Gubarev]] and others are detained separatists;<br>6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;<br>7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the [[Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia]] and other separatist groups (in Kharkiv and Luhansk).<ref name=proclUP8414/>}} In the afternoon of 8 April, about a thousand people rallied in front of the RSA listening to speeches about the Donetsk People's Republic and to [[Soviet]] and Russian music.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26941897 Pro-Russian protesters build barricades at Donetsk city hall], [[BBC News]] (8 April 2014)</ref>
More than four hundreds demonstration was held in [[Kherson]]. People demanded union with Russia and Belarus, and to stop violence in the country.<ref name="news.liga.net">http://news.liga.net/news/politics/992435-v_khersone_proshel_miting_protiv_nasiliya_i_fashizma_v_ukraine.htm</ref>


===Luhansk===
In [[Zaporizhia]] 1,000-5,000 estimated protesters gathered to save the Lenin monument. There, they also protested against the Kiev government and Nazism, and promoted Berkut troops and Soviet symbols.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reporter-ua.com/2014/03/02/miting-v-zaporozhe-my-ne-priznaem-huntu-zahvativshuyu-vlast-vooruzhennym-putem-foto |title= Митинг в Запорожье: Мы не признаем хунту, захватившую власть вооруженным путем |date=02.03.2014|publisher=reporter-ua.com }}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=March 2014}}<ref>http://www.061.ua/news/486186</ref><ref>http://zp-news.zp.ua/%D0%B2-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B6%D1%8C%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B3%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%D1%89%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8/</ref>


As a protest against cancelling the [[Legislation on languages in Ukraine]], the Oblast council of [[Luhansk Oblast]] voted to demand giving Russian language the status of second official language, stopping persecution of Berkut fighters, disarming Maidan self-defense units and banning a number of [[far-right]] political organizations like [[Svoboda (political party)|Svoboda]] and UNA-UNSO. In the event that the authorities failed to comply with the demands, the Oblast council reserved itself the "right to ask for help from the brotherly people of the Russian Federation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_oblsovet-luganskaya-ugrozhaet-razoruzhit-majdan-rukami-bratskoj-rossii/545140 |title=Облсовет Луганская угрожает разоружить Майдан руками "братской" России |publisher=Gazeta.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-03-02}}</ref>
Various Russian news media outlets started to use the term ''Russian Spring'' ({{lang-ru|Русская весна}}) to describe the protests.<ref name=skvortsov/><ref name="Скворцов">{{cite news|url=http://rian.com.ua/analytics/20140303/340429692.html|title="Русская весна" на Юго-Востоке Украины|author=Сергей Скворцов|date=2014-03-03|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] Ukraine|accessdate=2014-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://svpressa.ru/politic/article/83145/|title="Русская весна" восточной Украины. Вслед за Крымом решать свою дальнейшую судьбу будет Донбасс.|author=Дмитрий Родионов|date=2014-03-02|publisher=Свободная Пресса|accessdate=2014-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-gazeta.ru/photo/46541/|title=В Крыму началась "русская весна"|author=Егор Алеев|date=2014-03-02|publisher=БИЗНЕС Online|accessdate=2014-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nvdaily.ru/info/21810.html|title=Путин и "Русская весна". Или насколько плохой мир лучше хорошей войны?|author=Владимир Прохватилов|date=2014-03-05|publisher=Новые Ведомости|accessdate=2014-03-09}}</ref>


The regional state administration building of Luhansk has been occupied multiple times. It was reoccupied on 6 April, along with the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] (SBU) local headquarters, including the SBU’s armoury of over 300 machine guns.<ref>[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117298/ukrainian-parliament-fight-breaks-out-video-news-roundup-april-8 Ukrainian Parliament Fight Breaks Out: Video, News Roundup for April 8 | New Republic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Pro-Russian activists declared that they would found a 'Lugansk Parliamentary Republic' on April 8th, 2014. <ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021757/ Сепаратисти в луганській СБУ вирішили стати '&#39;парламентом'&#39; | Українська правда<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===2 March===
[[File:Euromaidan Odessa 02.03.14.webm|thumb|2 March 2014 pro-Ukrainian protest in [[Odessa]]]]
In Zaporizhia, over 5,000 protested against Russian intervention and pro-Russian demonstrations, and unity in Ukraine. They also protested against people seizing state buildings and raising Russian flags over them.<ref>http://www.061.ua/news/486605</ref><ref>http://censor.net.ua/news/273767/v_zaporoje_proshel_miting_protiv_vmeshatelstva_rossii_fotoreportaj</ref> Similar rallies were held in Dnipropetrovsk (a rally described by local reporters as the largest in years that drew an estimated 10,000 people), Odessa (several thousand), [[Mykolaiv]] (according to local media 5 to 10 thousand people) and Kharkiv (a few thousand protesters).<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraines-leader-urges-putin-to-pull-back-military/2014/03/02/004ec166-a202-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html], [[Washington Post]] (2 March 2014)</ref><ref>{{uk icon}} [http://tvi.ua/new/2014/03/02/odesa_ta_mykolayiv_vyyshly_na_mitynhy_proty_putina Odessa and Mykolaiv came to protest against Putin], [[TVi (channel)]] (2 March 2014)</ref><ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/2/7017030/ Several thousand citizens of Odessa came out to rally against Russian occupation], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (2 March 2014)</ref>


===3 March===
===Kharkiv===
Protests have been ongoing in [[Kharkiv Oblast|Kharkiv]], and the regional state administration building there has been occupied multiple times.
On 3 March, over 2,000 protesters gathered over Donetsk Oblast administrative building, broke through police barricades and retook the facility waving Russian flags.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/03/05/353387/protesters-retake-donetsk-govt-building/ |title=Protesters retake Donetsk government building |publisher=[[Press TV]] | date = 5 March 2014 |accessdate=10 March 2014}}</ref> The pro-Russian group is led by [[Pavel Gubarev]], a former member of the neo-Nazi "Russian National Unity" party,<ref>[http://iwpr.net/report-news/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers]</ref> who is claiming to be the people's governor of the region.<ref name="NYT140304" /><ref>{{cite web|author= Как к Вам обращаться |url= http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_vlast-v-donecke-pereshla-k-separatistam-v-zdanii-oga-ostayutsya-zalozhniki/545265 |title=Власть в Донецке перешла к сепаратистам – в здании ОГА остаются заложники |publisher=Gazeta | place = Ukraine |accessdate=4 March 2014}}</ref>


Pro-Russian protesters occupying the Kharkiv regional state administration building unilaterally declared independence from Ukraine as the 'Kharkov People's Republic' on 7 April 2014.<ref>[http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/04/07/332351/pro-russia-activists-declare-establishment-of-kharkiv-peoples-republic.html Pro-Russia activists declare establishment of ”Kharkiv people’s republic”<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9bd_1396967425 Declaration of Kharkiv People's Republic]</ref> By the next day, seventy protesters were arrested and the RSA building was retaken by Ukrainian special forces.<ref name=KRR2>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-settles-down-while-pro-russian-separatists-still-hold-buildings-in-luhansk-donetsk-342517.html Kharkiv settles down, while pro-Russian separatists still hold buildings in Luhansk, Donetsk]</ref>.
On 3 March 2014, 200–500 demonstrators with Russian flags, opponents of the new authorities in Kiev, attempted to seize the [[Odessa Oblast|Odessa Regional State Administration]] building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_mitinguyuschie-pod-flagami-rossii-shturmuyut-odesskuyu-oga/545208 |title=Митингующие под флагами России штурмуют Одесскую ОГА |publisher=Gazeta.ua |accessdate=3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="odessamar1">{{cite news|url=http://info-center.od.ua/9882-v-odesse-nakalilis-strasti-protivniki-kievskoy-vlasti-osadili-oga-k-nim-vyshel-skorik-fotoreportazh.html|title=В Одессе накалились страсти: противники киевской власти осадили ОГА. К ним вышел Скорик (фоторепортаж)|publisher=Info-Center.od.ua|language=Russian|date=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/128293|title=Активисты в Одессе пошли штурмом на здание облсовета|publisher=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref> They demanded that a referendum on the establishment of an "Odessa [[Autonomous Republic]]" be held.<ref name=odessamar1/> As the protesters began to break windows and enter the building, Oblast Chairman and Party of Regions official Mykola Leonidovych Skoryk spoke to the crowd, saying that the police could not allow an "assault" on the RSA, and that Ukrainians "must live peacefully in a single state." Protesters shouted "traitor!" and "[[Judas Iscariot|Judas]]!" at him.<ref name=odessamar1/> Meanwhile, [[Reuters]] reports that anti-Kiev protesters have broken into the first floor of the [[Donetsk|Donetsk RSA]] building.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/ukraine-crisis-russia-control-crimea-live|title=Ukraine crisis: 'Russia in control of Crimea' – live updates|work=The Guardian|date=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref>


===Odessa===
[[File:Flag of Donetsk Republic.svg|thumb|The flag of the [[Donetsk–Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic]] has become a prominent symbol of pro-Russian separatists in [[Donetsk]].<ref name="bbcflags">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-26465465|title=Ukraine crisis: What do the flags mean?|publisher=BBC News|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref>]]


Beginning on 1 March, demonstrations have been ongoing in [[Odessa Oblast]]. [[Interfax]] reported that between 5,000 to 20,000 participated in a pro-Russian demonstration in [[Odessa|the city of Odessa]] on that day.<ref>{{cite web|author=Conal Urquhart |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates |title=UN security council in emergency meeting after Russian parliament approves use of military against Ukraine- live updates |publisher=theguardian.com |date=2014-01-03 |accessdate=2014-03-01}}</ref>
[[File:Flag of the St George Ribbon.png|thumb|A flag depicting the [[Ribbon of Saint George]] has been adopted by protesters who feel "sympathetic towards the Soviet Union or imperial Russia, and those who denounce Ukraine nationalists as "'fascists'".<ref name=bbcflags/>]]


Rolling demonstrations continued, and on 3 March 2014, 200–500 demonstrators with Russian flags attempted to seize the [[Odessa Oblast|Odessa Regional State Administration]] building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_mitinguyuschie-pod-flagami-rossii-shturmuyut-odesskuyu-oga/545208 |title=Митингующие под флагами России штурмуют Одесскую ОГА |publisher=Gazeta.ua |accessdate=3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="odessamar1">{{cite news|url=http://info-center.od.ua/9882-v-odesse-nakalilis-strasti-protivniki-kievskoy-vlasti-osadili-oga-k-nim-vyshel-skorik-fotoreportazh.html|title=В Одессе накалились страсти: противники киевской власти осадили ОГА. К ним вышел Скорик (фоторепортаж)|publisher=Info-Center.od.ua|language=Russian|date=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/128293|title=Активисты в Одессе пошли штурмом на здание облсовета|publisher=2014-03-03|accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref> They demanded that a referendum on the establishment of an "Odessa [[Autonomous Republic]]" be held.<ref name=odessamar1/>
===4 March===
On 4 March 2014, pro-Russian separatists consolidated their control of the local Regional Administration in [[Donetsk]].<ref name="march4dt">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10676785/Separatist-in-Donetsk-proclaims-peoples-government.html|title=Ukraine crisis: separatist in Donetsk proclaims 'people's government'|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=2014-03-04|accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref> [[Pavel Gubarev]] was elected governor, and told reporters that work on the structure of the new administration is being done.<ref name=march4dt/> "We don't want to give our money any more to Kiev. We want more freedom for our city in a new federation or confederation that allows us to embrace the friendly ties and positive feelings towards us of the people of Russia," Gubarev said.<ref name=march4dt/> Allegations that many of the demonstrators were bused in from Russia, specifically from the [[Rostov Oblast|Rostov region]], were leveled by opponents, but according to a local journalist, "[I'm] sure they were paid to participate in those numbers but I have to say unfortunately that most of the people are from this city."<ref name=march4dt/> "Hundreds" later protested peacefully against the pro-Russian RSA occupiers and in support of a united Ukraine.<ref name=march4dt/> On the evening of 4 March, a large peaceful rally of over 2,000 supporting peace and a united Ukraine was held in central Donetsk.<ref name="rally">{{Citation | date = 4 March 2013 | url = http://novosti.dn.ua/details/219423/ | title = В центре Донецка прошел митинг за единую и мирную Украину – видео/фото | trans-title = In central Donetsk, rally held for united and peaceful Ukraine | newspaper = News of Donbass | language = Russian}}</ref>


==Protests by date and attendance==
===5 March===
On 5 March 2014, in [[Donetsk]], a bomb threat forced the evacuation of the Regional Administration building, which forced out the pro-Russian activists who had been occupying the building and flying the Russian flag since March 1.<ref name="march5donetsk">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-evacuation-idUSBREA240JC20140305|title=Activists replant Russian flag above HQ in Ukraine|publisher=Reuters|date=2013-03-05|accessdate=2013-03-06}}</ref> After the bomb-scare and subsequent evacuation, the Ukrainian flag was raised over the building for the first time since 1 March.<ref name=march5donetsk/> However, later in the evening, hundreds of pro-Russian protesters retook the building, and once again raised the Russian flag.<ref name=march5donetsk/> Despite the retaking of the RSA by pro-Russian activists, up to 5,000 protested for unity in Ukraine and against Russian intervention, the largest of its kind in the eastern Ukrainian city since the unrest began.<ref name=march5donetsk/> 1,000 pro-Russia counter-protesters attempted to confront the Ukrainian unionists, but were kept apart by the police.<ref name=march5donetsk/>{{#tag:ref|Some Ukrainian unionists were beaten by pro-Russian activists.<ref name=BBPU9314>{{nl icon}}[http://brandpunt.incontxt.nl/seizoenen/seizoen_2014/afleveringen/09-03-2014/fragmenten/in_de_greep_van_poetin In de greep van Poetin], [[KRO]] Brandpunt (09 March 2014)</ref>|group=nb}} Ukrainian unionists were also protected by [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk]] "ultras"{{#tag:ref|In the violent street protests of the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]] these "ultras" had fought alongside their [[FC Dynamo Kyiv]] arch-rivals.<ref>{{cite news|last=Salem|first=Harriet|title=Deep divisions split Donetsk as tensions simmer across Ukraine|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/ukraine-russia-protesters-donetsk-separate-by-force|newspaper=The Guardian|date=4 March 2014}}</ref>|group=nb}} (fanatical supporters).<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/pro-unity-voices-east-ukraine-struggle-heard-191449196.html</ref> Meanwhile, 1,000 pro-Russian protesters marched in [[Kharkiv]], demanding a referendum on federalism for Ukraine and making Russian a state language.<ref name=march5donetsk/> Police kept the demonstrators away from the Kharkiv Oblast RSA building, which continues to fly the Ukrainian flag.<ref name=march5donetsk/>

200 people attended a pro-Russia rally in Zaporizhia.<ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/893218-v-zaporoje-okolo-200-chelovek-sobralis-na-prorossiyskiy-miting.html</ref>

===6 March===
On 6 March 2014, after retaking the Donetsk RSA the previous day, pro-Russian protesters lost control of the building after a pre-dawn offensive led by police and the national [[Security Service of Ukraine|Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)]], which is under the control of the Euromaidan leaders.<ref name="march6cbs">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukrainian-city-of-donetsk-epitomizes-countrys-crisis/|title=Ukrainian city of Donetsk epitomizes country's crisis|publisher=CBS News|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c427c7dc-a558-11e3-8070-00144feab7de.html#axzz2vFkRuWdS|title=Oligarch tries to stamp Kiev authority on restive east|publisher=The Financial Times|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref> In addition to capturing control of the RSA and hoisting the Ukrainian flag, the SBU arrested self-proclaimed new Donetsk governor and pro-Russian protest leader [[Pavel Gubarev]], charging him with "encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine" as well as "actions aimed at the forcible change or overthrow of the constitutional order, or the seizure of state power".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/security-service-of-ukraine-detains-self-proclaimed-governor-of-donetsk-region-gubarev-338622.html|title=Security Service of Ukraine detains 'self-proclaimed governor' of Donetsk region Gubarev|publisher=The Kyiv Post|date=2014-03-06|accessdate=2014-03-07}}</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10681786/Pro-Russian-leader-arrested-in-Donetsk-as-Kiev-hits-back.html Pro-Russian leader arrested in Donetsk as Kiev hits back ]</ref> About 70 supporters of Gubarev were also arrested.<ref>http://tsn.ua/politika/u-donecku-razom-z-gubaryevim-zatrimali-blizko-70-prorosiyskih-aktivistiv-338348.html</ref>

===9 March===
On 9 March 2014, protesters stormed the Municipal Administration building in [[Luhansk]], brought down the Ukrainian flag and hoisted the Russian one instead, urging authorities to hold a referendum over joining Russia. Meanwhile, Luhansk's governor [[Mykhailo Bolotskykh]] fled the city, and the protestors claimed a pro-Russian figure was elected as the city’s new governor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro-Russia protesters take over Ukraine’s Lugansk city|url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/03/09/353994/prorussians-take-over-lugansk-city/|publisher=Press TV|date=9 March 2014|accessdate=10 March 2014}}</ref> Later in the day Bolotskih stated that he continued to carry out his duties and that his resignation was written under pressure and it had no legal force.<ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/219801/</ref>

In Donetsk, 10,000 pro-Russian activists held a demonstration.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine: 10.000 pro-russes dans la rue à Donetsk|url=http://www.hebdo.ch/news/politique/ukraine-10000-pro-russes-dans-la-rue-%C3%A0-donetsk|publisher=[[L'Hebdo]]|date=9 March 2010|accessdate=10 March 2014}} {{fr icon}}</ref> While the authorities of Donetsk denounced the referendum on the status of the region.<ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/219796/</ref>

10,000 in Kharkiv protested against Russia.<ref>http://censor.net.ua/photo_news/274938/tysyachi_harkovchan_vyshli_na_miting_pod_lozungom_putina_get_fotoreportajvideo</ref>

===10 March===
On 10 March 2014, Ukrainian Prime Minister [[Arseniy Yatsenyuk]] stated that central authorities maintain control over Donetsk and had regained control of Luhansk.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kolyandr|first=Alexander|title=Ukraine in Control of Restless Eastern Cities, Says Premier|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304250204579430980954177224?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304250204579430980954177224.html|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=March 10, 2014}}</ref> The same day employees of Russian Defense Ministry's Intelligence Directorate [[GRU]] were arrested in Donetsk.<ref name=apaar>[http://en.apa.az/xeber_separatists_arrested_in_east_of_ukraine_208382.html Separatists arrested in east of Ukraine], [[Azerbaijan Press Agency]] (11 March 2014)</ref> Also, [[Mikhail Dobkin]] was arrested on charges of leading a separatist movement.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/10/7018318/</ref><ref>http://interfax.com.ua/news/general/195245.html</ref>

Reports from the Russian media and a Russian diplomat in Kiev allege that 300 employees of private security companies mercenaries are active in Ukraine<ref name="march10dailymail">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2576490/Are-Blackwater-active-Ukraine-Videos-spark-talk-U-S-mercenary-outfit-deployed-Donetsk.html|title=Has Blackwater been deployed to Ukraine? Notorious U.S. mercenaries 'seen on the streets of flashpoint city' as Russia claims 300 hired guns have arrived in country|publisher=The Daily Mail|date=2014-03-09|accessdate=2014-03-10}}</ref> as did a Russian Foreign Ministry statement released on 10 March saying that Russia is "outraged by the chaos which is currently ruling in eastern regions of Ukraine." These allegations were interpreted by articles in the''[[The Washington Post]]'' and the Daily Mail as potentially being a "pretext for Russian military intervention into areas of Ukraine beyond Crimea."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraine-leader-to-visit-white-house-this-week-as-russia-cites-chaos/2014/03/10/6b298a20-a84c-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html|title=Ukraine leader to visit White House this week as Russia cites ‘chaos’|publisher=The Washington Post|date=2014-03-10|accessdate=2014-03-10}}</ref><ref name="march10dailymail"/>

===11 March===
On 11 March 2014, police freed the Municipal Administration building in Luhansk and briefly arrested the leader of the pro-Russian movement there and local councilman, [[Arsen Klinchayev]].<ref name=apaar/> Pro-Russian protesters then elected a "People’s Governor of [[Luhansk Oblast]]" Alexander Kharitonov who worked from a tent in a square.<ref>http://nahnews.com.ua/people-seized-lugansk-regional-state-administration-and-put-up-the-russian-flag-updated-video/<br>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26540197</ref> The same day Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine [[Valentyn Nalyvaichenko]] stated he had evidence that employees GRU were involved in the organization of provocations in Ukraine.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/195323.html SBU has evidence Russian intelligence involved in organizing provocations in Ukraine - Nalyvaichenko], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (11 March 2014)</ref> The Ukrainian National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting demanded providers to shut down the broadcast of Russian television channels [[Rossiya 24]], [[Channel One Russia]], [[RTR Planeta]], and [[NTV (Russia)|NTV Mir]] in Ukraine.<ref name=BRTiU11314/> At the time 50% of the providers in Ukraine had already stopped broadcasting these channels.<ref name=BRTiU11314/> The [[Russian Foreign Ministry]] sharply criticized what it said was a double standards policy and selective approach “in the assessment of the [[freedom of the press in Ukraine]] by international organizations, non-governmental organizations and human rights groups, which are turning a blind eye to such a blatant show of censure”.<ref name=BRTiU11314>http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/half-of-ukraines-providers-stop-broadcasting-russian-television-channels-339047.html<br>http://en.ria.ru/world/20140311/188326369/Russia-Slams-Violation-of-Media-Freedoms-in-Ukraine.html</ref>

===13 March===
On 13 March, one pro-Kiev protester from [[Svoboda (party)|Svoboda]], Dmytro Cherniavsky, was stabbed to death in the city of [[Donetsk]] and a further fifteen were hospitalized after rival rallies clashed in [[Lenin Square (Donetsk)|Lenin Square]].<ref name="reutersmarch13">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-idUSBREA2C20Z20140313|title=One dead in Ukraine clash in eastern city|publisher=Reuters|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/195903.html|title=Instigators of fatal Donetsk clashes detained - Avakov|publisher=Интерфакс-Украина|date=2014-03-14|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> The local health ministry said that around 1,000 pro-Kiev protesters were attacked by 2,000 pro-Moscow protesters,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/ukraine-pro-kiev-protester-stabbed-death-220139449.html#tE4qpWh|title=Ukraine: Pro-Kiev Protester Stabbed To Death|publisher=Yahoo!UK|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> while a pro-Russian activist blamed the clashes on "provocations" by students forced to attend pro-Ukrainian rallies by their universities.<ref name="march14vor">{{cite news|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_13/Euromaidan-protestors-start-fight-with-pro-Russia-activists-in-Donetsk-6806/|title=Euromaidan protestors start fight with pro-Russia activists in Donetsk|publisher=The Voice of Russia|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Previously a professor at a Donetsk University was fired for being "too pro-Western".<ref name=BBPU9314/>|group=nb}} Witnesses claimed some pro-Russian activist had arrived in vehicles with Russian number plates; while governor of [[Donetsk Oblast]], [[Serhiy Taruta]] claimed the pro-Russian demonstrators were citizens of [[Russia]].<ref name=143ENQ>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/14/donetsk-calm-after-violent-thursday-night/ Donetsk calm after violent Thursday night], [[Euronews]] (2014-03-14)</ref> The clashes were described by Reuters as being the worst violence in Ukraine since the 18–23 February 2014<ref name="finish">{{cite web|author=Geopolitical Weekly |url=http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/ukraine-turns-revolution-recovery |title=The uprising in Kiev has apparently reached its conclusion |publisher=Stratfor |date= |accessdate=2014-03-12}}</ref> [[2014 Ukrainian revolution|overthrow]] of the [[Viktor Yanukovich|Yanukovich]] government.<ref name=reutersmarch13/>

The [[Russian Armed Forces]] announced a new set of sudden military exercises in the border regions of [[Rostov Oblast|Rostov]], [[Belgorod Oblast|Belgorod]], and [[Kursk Oblast|Kursk]] on 13 March, involving "artillery batteries, assault helicopters, and at least 10,000 soldiers".<ref name="march13nyt">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/14/world/europe/ukraine.html?_r=0|title=Russian Troops Mass at Border With Ukraine|publisher=The New York Times|date=2014-03-13|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> Amateur footage has shown columns of trucks and armored vehicles amassing at the border town of [[Lopan]], just 30 miles outside of [[Kharkiv]].<ref name=march13nyt/> The [[United States Department of State]] has said that the Russian military exercises have "certainly created an environment of intimidation [in Ukraine]".<ref name=march13nyt/>

===14 March===
On 14 March, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained the self-declared 'governor' of [[Luhansk Oblast]], Alexander Kharitonov.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/195932.html|title=SBU detains self-declared 'governor' of Luhansk region Kharytonov|publisher=[[Interfax-Ukraine]]|date=2014-03-14|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> [[Kharkiv]] Mayor [[Hennadiy Kernes]] was placed in night-time house arrest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/195935.html|title=Court places Kernes under night-time house arrest|publisher=[[Interfax-Ukraine]]|date=2014-03-14|accessdate=2014-03-14}}</ref> Four participants of yesterdays clashes in Donetsk were arrested.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/196046.html Four participants of clashes in Donetsk arrested, over 300 persons identified – regional police chief], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (2014-03-14)</ref> According to [[Euronews]] the situation in Donetsk "was quiet".<ref name=143ENQ/>

Russian Foreign Minister [[Sergei Lavrov]] declared that Russia had no plans to invade [[eastern Ukraine]].<ref name=LAHEN14314>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/14/russia-will-respect-the-result-of-the-upcoming-election-in-crimea-says-foreign-/ Russia ‘will respect the result of the upcoming election in Crimea’, says Foreign Minister Lavrov], [[Euronews]] (2014-03-14)</ref> He also expressed "deep concern that measures are not being taken to ensure safety on the streets of Ukraine".<ref name=LAHEN14314/>

Clashes in Kharkiv between a pro-Russian group and alleged Right Sector militants had resulted in two deaths of pro-Russian protesters. Incident was started when car with Right Sector activists attacks pro-Russian rally.<ref>http://lifenews.ru/news/129041</ref> Security forces were reportedly surrounding the local office of the paramilitary group.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kushch|first=Lina|title=Ukraine accuses Russia of fomenting violence in east|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/15/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-idUSBREA2D1QR20140315|accessdate=15 March 2014|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=14 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Two people dead and two injured in Ukraine's Kharkov clashes|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_15/Two-people-dead-and-two-injured-in-Ukraines-Kharkov-clashes-6458/|accessdate=15 March 2014|newspaper=[[Voice of Russia]]|date=15 March 2014}}</ref>

===15 March===
About 10,000 pro-Russian demonstrators marched from Lenin Square in central Donetsk to the local [[Security Service of Ukraine|Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)]] headquarters.<ref name="march15lifenews">{{cite news|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/129084|title=В Донецке митингующие начали штурмовать здание СБ Украины|publisher=LifeNews.ru|date=2014-03-15|accessdate=2014-03-15}}</ref> Protesters demanded the release of protest leader [[Pavel Gubarev]], arrested by the SBU on March 6 and subsequently taken to detention in Kiev, as well as a referendum on the status of the Donbass region.<ref name=march15lifenews/> The Donetsk SBU commander promised to release 70 pro-Russian protesters currently detained at Voroshilov police station in Donetsk.<ref name=march15lifenews/> The SBU commander said it was "more difficult" to secure the release of Gubarev.<ref name=march15lifenews/> The protesters, after smashing windows and briefly entering the lobby of the building, eventually dispersed but promised to come again on Sunday to see if their demands are met.<ref name=march15lifenews/>

In Kharkiv, one pro-Russia demonstrator and a passerby were killed by [[buckshot]]<ref name="themoscowtimes.com">http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/pro-russian-demonstrators-burn-books-storm-buildings/496246.html</ref> when Ukrainian nationalists opened fire on a group of men. Police said events leading to the deaths began when a group of nationalists opened fire from inside a car at a pro-Russian protest being held on Kharkiv's central Svoboda (Freedom) Square. A group of several dozen pro-Russian protesters chased the car, tracking it to the headquarters of the [[Patriots of Ukraine|Patrioty Ukrainy]] (Ukrainian Patriots) nationalist group. The pro-Russians tried to storm the building and the nationalists opened fire, killing one of them along with a passerby, police said. The Patrioty Ukrainy group then took several hostages from other offices inside the building as the police arrived. Six people were injured in the ensuing gunfight, including a police officer who suffered serious wounds. The nationalists eventually agreed to give up their arms and surrender. Police made 30 arrests.<ref name="ukrainianpatriots">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0315/602466-ukraine/ Two killed in clashes in eastern Ukraine</ref> Both rival groups blamed each other for starting the clashes.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26590745 Deadly clashes in east Ukraine ahead of Crimea vote], [[BBC News]] (15 March 2014)</ref>

===16 March===
On the same day that [[Crimean referendum, 2014|the Crimea voted in a referendum to re-join Russia]], pro-Russian demonstrations occurred in Donetsk, Kharkiv, [[Luhansk]], [[Dnipropetrovsk]], [[Odessa]], and [[Mykolaiv]].<ref name="march16rt">{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/ukraine-kharkov-rights-donetsk-202/|title=Ukraine's east on fire: Kharkov demands referendum, Donetsk prosecutor’s HQ stormed|publisher=RT|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-017}}</ref> In Donetsk, protesters stormed the local [[Security Service of Ukraine|SBU]] headquarters for the second day in a row, in addition to the local prosecutor's office and the headquarters of the [[Industrial Union of Donbass]], owned by magnate and local Kiev-appointed governor [[Serhiy Taruta]].<ref name="march16nbc">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046|title=Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices|publisher=NBC News|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-17}}</ref> In Kharkiv, protesters marched through the city center carrying a 100-meter long [[Flag of Russia|Russian tricolor]] and demonstrated in front of the Consulate General of [[Poland]], protesting against Western interference into Ukrainian affairs.<ref name=march16rt/> Pro-Russian protesters in Kharkiv later broke into a [[Prosvita]] office stole [[Ukrainian-language]] books and then set them alight in small bonfires in the street.<ref name="themoscowtimes.com"/><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/16/us-ukraine-east-idUSBREA2F0P220140316</ref><ref>http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/ukraine-vows-to-block-pro-russian-moves-in-restive-east-1.1727528</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/16/7019051/|title=В Харькове сепаратисты попросили Россию ввести миротворческие войска|publisher=Ukrainian Pravda|date=2014-03-16|accessdate=2014-03-17}}</ref> Meanwhile, impromptu referendums were set up in the city squares of Luhansk and Mykolaiv, asking for [[federalization]] to be introduced to Ukraine.<ref name=march16nbc/><ref name=march16rt/> In Mykolaiv, one question asked, "Do you support the creation of a federal district ''[[Novorossia]]'' within Ukraine, including the Nikolayev (Mykolaiv), Odessa and [[Kherson]] regions?"<ref name=march16rt/>

''The Economist'' documented the rallies in Kharkiv and elsewhere, stating that they appeared staged, "it was not part of a mass movement, more a bit of street theatre, carefully choreographed for the cameras. By seven o’clock it was all over."<ref>http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21599413-russia-wants-divided-ukraine-and-despite-promise-revolution-it-may-well-get</ref>

Ukrainian military units heading towards the Russian border were stopped from passing by residents of Donetsk and Luhansk.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/16/ukraine-crisis-crimea-referendum Crimea goes to the polls with landslide expected for union with Russia], [[The Guardian]] (16 March 2014)</ref>

===17 March===
In [[Odessa]] Anton Davidchenko, the leader of the pro-Russian organization "Youth Unity" (who had organized by the majority of rallies in support of Russia), was arrested for "encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine" and "treason".<ref name=UPADa/> His supporters then picketed the local SBU headquarters.<ref name=UPADa>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/18/7019352/ В Одесі затримали організатора більшості акцій "за Росію" - ЗМІ ''In Odessa arrested organizer majority stake of "for Russia" protests''], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (18 March 2014)</ref>

Ukrainian soldiers had meanwhile increased their presence in [[border town]]s (bordering [[Russia]]).<ref name=Novoazovsk>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/17/ukraine-steps-up-security-at-novoazovsk-border-check-point/ Ukraine steps up security at Novoazovsk border check point], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (17 March 2014)</ref>

===18 March===
Ukrainian Prime Minister [[Arseniy Yatsenyuk]] (in an "address to the residents of the [[Southern Ukraine|southern]] and [[Eastern Ukraine|eastern regions]] of Ukraine") stated his that his [[Yatsenyuk Government]] had introduced "a special position of deputy prime minister in the government" tasked with "[[decentralization]] of the administration" "which will give the [[Oblasts of Ukraine|regions]], [[List of cities in Ukraine|cities]], and [[Raions of Ukraine|districts]] broad powers and funding needed for the development of the regions".<ref name=YatsDca/> According to Yatsenyuk "All changes associated with the decentralization of the [[Administrative divisions of Ukraine|administration]] will be reflected in the new [[Constitution of Ukraine|Constitution]]. We should write the Constitution together".<ref name=YatsDca>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/196504.html Ukraine will conduct decentralization - Yatseniuk], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (18 March 2014)</ref> Yatsenyuk also stated that law enforcers would soon start "seizing all unregistered firearms" in Ukraine.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/196526.html Ukrainian PM opposed to ban of Party of Regions, calls for tolerance], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (18 March 2014)</ref> Yatsenyuk further claimed "Law enforcement agencies have collected compelling evidence of the involvement of [[Russian secret services]] in unrest in the east of our country".<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/196506.html Law enforcers collect evidence of Russian services' involvement in unrest in eastern Ukraine - Yatseniuk], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (18 March 2014)</ref>

In a televised address in front of [[Federal Assembly (Russia)|both houses of parliament]] Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] stated "Don't trust those who frighten you with Russia... we do not need a divided Ukraine. We do not want a partition of Ukraine, we do not need this”.<ref name="BBCPS18314">[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26630062 Ukraine crisis: Putin signs Russia-Crimea treaty], [[BBC News]] (18 March 2014)</ref><ref name=G18314Ps>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/18/ukraine-crisis-putin-plan-crimea-annex-speech-russia-live#block-53283561e4b0916182da3c05 Summary - Vladimir Putin speech], [[The Guardian]] (18 March 2014)</ref> He also stated that "[[Russia–Ukraine relations|Russia and Ukraine]] were not just neighbours but one [[nation]]" and that Russia would always protect the millions of speakers of the [[Russian language in Ukraine]].<ref name="BBCPS18314"/> He saw the Yatsenyuk Government as "an illegitimate puppet government under the control of radicals".<ref name="BBCPS18314"/> Putin also accused [[nationalists]], [[neo-Nazis]], [[Russophobe]]s and [[anti-Semites]] of being behind the [[Viktor Yanukovych#Vote to remove|“coup”]] in Ukraine; according to Putin this coup was executed using "[[Terror]], [[murder]] and [[pogroms]]".<ref name=G18314Ps/><ref name=ENPs18314>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/18/putin-signs-treaty-on-making-crimea-part-of-russia/ Vladimir Putin signs treaty to incorporate Crimea into Russian federation], [[Euronews]] (18 March 2014)</ref> He also called the [[Verkhovna Rada]]'s vote of 23 February 2014 to repeal a [[Legislation on languages in Ukraine|language law]] aimed at giving Russian and other minority languages in Ukraine the status of [[regional language]]<ref name=Lsaid24812>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/lytvyn-program-for-development-of-ukrainian-language-should-be-adopted-before-elections-312012.html Lytvyn:Program for development of Ukrainian language should be adopted before elections], [[Kyiv Post]] (24 August 2012)</ref><ref name=Guardian4Jul2012/> a "a scandalous law on the revision of the language policy, which directly violated the rights of the [[Demographics of Ukraine#After WWII|national minorities]]".<ref name=ENPs18314/>{{Ref|NoteA|A}}{{#tag:ref|Ukrainian interim President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] reaction to this (Putin) speech was “Today the Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]], who likes to talk about [[fascism]] copies the fascists of the [[20th century|last century]] by annexing the territory of an independent state”.<ref>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/18/acting-ukraine-president-compares-vladimir-putin-to-fascists-of-last-century/ Acting Ukraine President compares Vladimir Putin to ‘fascists of last century’], [[Euronews]] (18 March 2014)</ref>|group=nb}}

Members of a large rally under Russian flags stormed Mariupol City Council. They demanded that the Mayor held a special session of the City Council to address the question of holding a referendum.<ref>http://nahnews.com.ua/mariupol-protesters-stormed-the-city-council/</ref>

===19 March===
[[Andriy Parubiy]], the new Secretary of the [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine]], ordered the [[Ukrainian Foreign Ministry]] to introduce a visa regime for Russian citizens, who have since Ukraine's independence enjoyed [[Visa policy of Ukraine|visa-free travel to Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/724446/|title=Ukraine’s National Security Council decides to introduce entry visas for Russian citizens|publisher=ITAR-TASS|date=2014-03-19|accessdate=2014-03-20}}</ref>

===20 March===
A number of public organizations picketed the building of the Regional Council with the requirement to hold a referendum in Kharkiv. Several hundred people participated in the picket, they held banners “For the referendum,” “Kharkiv is for the Customs Union ([[Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia]]),” “Customs Union will revive the industry of Kharkiv.” <ref>http://nahnews.com.ua/supporters-of-the-referendum-picketed-kharkov-regional-council/</ref>

===22 March===
In Kherson nearly 300 Communist Party supporters held a protest in favor of federalization of Ukraine, but were met with 3,000 pro-Ukrainian protesters.<ref>http://khersonline.net/novosti/obschestvo/21630-hersonskie-kommunisty-zateryalis-mezhdu-evromaydanami.html</ref><ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/22/7019952/</ref>

In Donetsk 2,000 protesters held a pro-separatism rally and demanded a referendum to give the Donbas region greater autonomy; demonstrators carried Russian flags and chanted “Russia” and “Yanukovych is our elected president.” They then picketed the regional council.<ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/220845/</ref><ref>http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-22/ukraine-protesters-urge-yanukovych-s-return-at-rally-in-donetsk</ref>

Nearly 1,000 rallied in Luhansk. They demanded Kharytonov and Klinchaev's release and also supported Yanukovych.<ref>http://www.0642.ua/news/500277</ref><ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/220854/</ref><ref>http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3323235-v-luhanske-proshel-prorossyiskyi-mytynh</ref>

A Kharkiv demonstration of a few hundred people on 22 March also demanded broad autonomy for southeastern regions <ref>http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/kharkiv-demonstration-demands-broad-autonomy-for-southeastern-regions-340434.html</ref> and demanded to disarm the “Right Sector” members<ref>http://nahnews.com.ua/kharkov-protesters-demand-to-disarm-right-sector-photo/</ref>

===23 March===
In Odessa 3,000-4,000 gathered in an "anti-fascist" protest, demanding Davidchenko's release (who was jailed for 2 months), to stop political repressions, and claimed that Yanukovych is the legitimate president.<ref>http://ca-news.org/news:1103934/</ref> The rally was supported by Russian neo-Nazis, one of whom, Anton Rayevsky, is a member of the [[Black Hundreds]] group.<ref name=rayev>http://www.unian.net/politics/900288-sredi-uchastnikov-prorossiyskogo-mitinga-v-odesse-byil-zamechen-neonatsist-iz-rf-foto.html</ref><ref>http://glavnoe.ua/news/n170861</ref> The [[Security Service of Ukraine]] later found pamphlets in which the "Black Hundreds" called for "the destruction" of [[Ukrainian Jews|Jews]] in Odessa.<ref name=TSN30314/>

In Donetsk, 1,500 pro-Russian supporters attended a short-lived rally.<ref>http://www.interfax.ru/world/366555</ref><ref name=28decline />

In Kharkiv nearly 3,000 demanded a referendum on April 27 on a federal status of Ukraine, to abolish Presidential elections on May 25, prohibit all fascist organizations in the country, to recognize the EU Association Agreement as illegal. 500 attended a rival pro-Ukrainian rally supporting European integration.<ref name=k3k>http://nahnews.com.ua/kharkov-protesters-demand-referendum-on-april-27-photo/</ref><ref>http://ca-news.org/news:1103932/</ref>

Over 100 rallied in Zaporizhia in favor of Russia and Yanukovych.<ref>http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3323459-uchastnyky-prorossyiskoho-mytynha-v-zaporozhe-prosiat-zaschyty-u-yanukovycha-smy</ref>

===25 March===
The Kyiv District Administrative Court issued a ruling to suspend the broadcasting (in Ukraine) of the Russian TV channels [[Rossiya 24]], [[Channel One Russia]], [[RTR Planeta]], and [[NTV (Russia)|NTV Mir]] for the time of the consideration of a lawsuit by the [[National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio]] ({{ill|uk|Національна рада України з питань телебачення і радіомовлення}}).<ref>http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/197786.html</ref><ref>http://news2night.com/en/news/v-ukraine-priostanavlivajut-transljatsiju-rossijskih-kanalov#.UzIGgYXstHU</ref><ref>https://news.pn/en/public/100258</ref><ref>http://un.ua/eng/article/500468.html</ref> By then in Kiev and in 22 of the 24 [[Oblasts of Ukraine]] (provinces) the broadcasting of these channels had stopped; in [[Donetsk Oblast]] half of the providers still broadcast the channels, in [[Odessa Oblast]] 81% of the providers still broadcast the channels and in [[Kherson Oblast]] this number was 91%. In [[Crimea]] and [[Sevastopol]] the figure was 0%.<ref name=RCiUS27314>{{ru icon}} [http://www.segodnya.ua/politics/pnews/696-ukrainskih-provayderov-prekratili-translyaciyu-rossiyskih-telekanalov-505850.html 696 Ukrainian providers stopped broadcasting of Russian TV channels], [[Segodnya]] (27 March 2014)</ref>{{#tag:ref|The status of [[Crimea]] and [[Sevastopol]] is currently [[2014 Crimean crisis|under dispute by Ukraine and Russia]]; Ukraine and the majority of the international community consider Crimea an [[autonomous republic]] of Ukraine and Sevastopol [[cities with special status|one of Ukraine's cities with special status]], while [[Russia]], on the other hand, considers Crimea a [[federal subjects of Russia]] and Sevastopol [[federal cities of Russia|one of its federal cities]].<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|last=Gutterman |first=Steve |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140318 |title=Putin signs Crimea treaty, will not seize other Ukraine regions |publisher=Reuters.com |date= |accessdate=2014-03-26}}</ref> Both are completely under Russian control.<ref name="Yanuousted">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26312008 Ukraine: Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov named interim president], [[BBC News]] (23 February 2014)<br>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 Ukraine protests timeline], [[BBC News]] (23 February 2014)</ref>|group=nb}}

In Kharkiv, more than 2,000 Ukrainian held a counter-Russian protest. People shouted “For a united Ukraine, including Crimea!” and “No to separatism.” “We’re tired of having Kharkiv called a pro-Russian city, of hearing reports that people are walking around with Russian flags, said journalist Volodymyr Chystylin, one of the organizers.<ref>http://www.ukrinform.ua/ukr/news/masoviy_miting_za_sobornu_ukraiinu_prohodit_u_harkovi_1921871</ref>

===28 March===
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced that pro-Russian protests had declined significantly.<ref name=28decline>http://zn.ua/UKRAINE/avakov-obyavil-o-spade-separatizma-na-vostoke-ukrainy-142149_.html</ref>

In Kharkiv [[Antimaidan]] activist Igor Kromskoho (nicknamed "Topaz") was placed under house arrest for his alleged involvement in the [[2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine#1 March|1 March raid on the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building]].<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/29/7020727/ "Topaz" was put under house arrest], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (29 March 2014)</ref>

===29 March===
(According to local media) in Kharkiv about 150 people rallied for federalization "for the return of property to the people of basic industries, banking, transportation and infrastructure and against imperialism and for [[Friendship among Peoples]].", according to one of the organizer "due to bad weather the meeting was short".<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/vlast/29.03.2014/na_ploschadi_svobody_opyat_proshel_miting_za_federalizaciyu At Liberty Square - another rally for federalization (updated)], sq.com.ua (29 March 2014)</ref>

In Donetsk, about 1,000 pro-Russian supporters attended a rally organized by the party [[Russian Bloc (party)|Russian Bloc]]; the protesters stated the need to unite [[Eastern Ukraine]] with the [[Russian Federation]] and talked about the need for federalization.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221390/ In Donetsk, holds a meeting 1000 "Federalist"], Новости Донбасса (29 March 2014)</ref> Mayor of Donetsk Oleksandr Lukianchenko stated that the 21 March 2014 [[accession of Crimea to the Russian Federation]] "killed the very essence of the federalization of Ukraine".<ref name=DM29314>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221382 Russian annexation of Crimea killed the idea of federalization of Ukraine - Donetsk mayor VIDEOS], Новости Донбасса (29 March 2014)</ref>{{#tag:ref|Lukianchenko (also) stated: "I think that today the people of our country do not want a new [[Kosovo]], do not want the new [[Transnistria|Transnistrian republic]], and probably do not want to become the new [[Abkhazia]]. Today it is necessary to work only in the legislative field and solve these questions, but lets not give an excuse to a strong country so it can then detach part of weaker countries, as happened with [[Crimea]]".<ref name=DM29314/>|group=nb}}

Russian neo-Nazi Anton Rayevsky (a member of the ''[[Black Hundreds]]'' organization) who had attended the pro-Russian "anti-fascist" protest in Odessa of 23 March, was deported from Ukraine and banned from entering the country. He was accused of attempted sabotage and attempting provoking armed conflict. The SBU also found material calling for ethnic hatred and killing Ukrainians and Jews in the Odessa region.<ref name=TSN30314>http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/z-ukrayini-vidvoreno-rosiyskogo-neonacista-chornosotencya-yakiy-gotuvav-diversiyu-v-odesi-342636.html</ref>

===30 March===
[[File:Odessa Russian Sring 20140330 07.JPG|thumb|Pro-Russian activists marching Odessa streets on March 30th 2014]]
In Donetsk, about 1,000 pro-Russian supporters again attended a rally organized by the Russian Bloc party; some of them holding banners that claimed [[Viktor Yanukovych]] was Ukraine's legitimate president.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221408/ Donetsk police punish separatists for overlap street Artem], Новости Донбасса (30 March 2014)<br>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221405/ In Donetsk, a thousand people came to the rally separatists PHOTO], Новости Донбасса (30 March 2014)<br>{{uk icon}} [http://tsn.ua/foto/u-donecku-mitinguvalniki-pid-rosiyskimi-praporami-vshanovuyut-pam-yat-zagiblih-silovikiv-342669.html In Donetsk, the protesters under the flag commemorate the victims of security forces], [[Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn]] (30 March 2014)</ref> About 30 of them later shortly blocked several tracks of Donetsk's main railway station.<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/30/7020782/ In Donetsk separatists stormed the station and called Yanukovych], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (30 March 2014)</ref> Closely to Donestsk participants of a bike ride "for the unity of Ukraine" were attacked by about 10 people.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221410 In the Donetsk region attacked the participants of the bike ride for the unity of Ukraine], Новости Донбасса (30 March 2014)</ref> Pro-Russian supporters attacked a car with an EU flag on it, smashing its windows, and chanting "Whack the faggots!".<ref>http://www.ostro.org/general/politics/news/441306/</ref>

In Luhansk, 500 people held a pro-Russia rally.<ref name=30mar>http://zn.ua/UKRAINE/v-harkove-odesse-i-luganske-separatisty-ustroili-mitingi-i-shestviya-142259_.html</ref> They demanded a "reset of [[Zionists]]" and demanded a Russian occupation.<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/30/7020775/ In Donetsk, Odesa, Kharkiv and Luhansk separatists staged rallies], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (30 March 2014)</ref> About a hundred people held a counter unity rally "Luhansk is Ukraine".<ref name=100lu>{{uk icon}} [http://www.5.ua/ukrajina/suspilstvo/item/377204-luhanchany-provely-u-misti-mitynh-iednosti-ukrainy Luhansk Oblast had a unity rally in Ukraine], [[5 Kanal (Ukraine)]] (30 March 2014)</ref>

In Kharkiv about 1,500<ref name=30mar /> people held a rally (co-organized by the [[Communist Party of Ukraine]]) for federalization with [[anti-EU]] slogans, anti-[[Viktor Yanukovich]] slogans and slogans like "Our language=[[Russian language|Russian]]" and "Down with the [[fascist]] junta".<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/30.03.2014/na_ploschadi_svobody_opyat_miting At Liberty Square - again rally. Powered Movement "South-East", Rymarskaya on a memorial plaque (updated)], sq.com.ua (30 March 2014)</ref> (Also) in Kharkiv 500 [[FC Metalist Kharkiv]] supporters, as well as fans of [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk]], held a march "in support of the unity of Ukraine".<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/30.03.2014/fanaty_metallista_kolonnoj_idut_k_stadionu_v_podderzhku_edinstva_strany Fans "Metalist" column go to the stadium to support the unity of the country], sq.com.ua (30 March 2014)</ref> Elsewhere in the city thousand people publicly commemorated the fortieth day since the death of the last "[[Heavenly hundred]]" (people killed during [[Euromaidan]]).<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.5.ua/ukrajina/majdan/item/377198-v-kharkovi-vshanuvaly-pam-iat-nebesnoi-sotni In Kharkiv, paid tribute to the hundreds of Heaven], [[5 Kanal (Ukraine)]] (30 March 2014)</ref>

In Odessa media reported a turnout between 5,000 and 10,000 people<ref name=30mar /><ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/bolee-10-tys-odessitov-nesut-ogromnyy-flag-ukrainy-506435.html More than 10,000 Odessites carry a huge flag of Ukraine (photos)], [[Segodnya]] (30 March 2014)</ref><ref name=odessa30 /> for a march "for unity in Ukraine and the world" and (some) media reports put the size of a pro-Russian rally on 4,000 attendees.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/v-odesse-na-prorossiyskom-mitinge-devushki-prosilis-zamuzh-za-moskalya-506460.html In Odessa, on the pro-Russian rally girl asks to marry "Muscovite" (photo)], [[Segodnya]] (30 March 2014)</ref> Late in the afternoon thousands of pro-Russian activists attacked participants of the pro-Ukraine march, which attracted up to 5,000-10,000 attendees.<ref name=odessa30>http://www.unian.net/politics/902141-v-odesse-uchastniki-prorossiyskogo-marsha-napali-na-storonikov-edinstva-ukrainyi.html</ref><ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/v-odesse-prorossiyskie-aktivisty-napali-na-storonnikov-evromaydana-506463.html In Odessa, the pro-Russian activists attacked supporters Evromaydana], [[Segodnya]] (30 March 2014)</ref>

In [[Dnipropetrovsk]] about two hundred publicly commemorated the "Heavenly hundred".<ref name=DN30313/> Slightly fewer people gathered at pro-Russian meeting organized by Communists.<ref name=DN30313>{{uk icon}} [http://www.5.ua/ukrajina/majdan/item/377193-u-dnipropetrovsku-vidbulos-zhalobne-viche-po-nebesnii-sotni Took place in Dnipropetrovsk plaintive assembly for hundreds of celestial], [[5 Kanal (Ukraine)]] (30 March 2014)</ref> And fifteen hundred football supporters of [[FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk]] and [[FC Dynamo Kyiv]] held a Ukrainian unity march to the [[Dnipro-Arena]].<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.5.ua/ukrajina/suspilstvo/item/377203-fanaty-dnipra-ta-dynamo-proishly-khodoiu-iednosti-u-dnipropetrovsku Fans of "Dnipro" and "Dynamo" held unity march in Dnipropetrovsk], [[5 Kanal (Ukraine)]] (30 March 2014)</ref>

In Zaporizhia 1,000 pro-Ukrainian demonstrators gathered to pay respects to those killed during the revolution.<ref>http://delo.ua/ukraine/v-donecke-i-harkove-proshli-mitingi-231871/</ref> The same occurred in Kherson, where more than 1,000 attended.<ref>http://kvedomosti.com/5167-novosti-hersona-31-marta-v-hersone-proshel-miting-rekviem-v-pamyat-o-nebesnuyu-sotnyu.html</ref><ref>http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_hersone_pamyat_nebesnoy_sotni_pochtili_molebnom_i_mitingom_1618548</ref>

In [[Voronezh]] ([[Russia]]) [[Don Cossacks]] of the "[[Great Don Army]]" stated that they might come to Ukraine to "come to the rescue" because they "can not stand idly by when our Russian people in a situation of actual [[genocide]]". According to them a "[[Judeo]] [[Stepan Bandera|Banderavyets]]" (Jewish and Western Ukrainian diaspora) headed clan operating from abroad, had now almost completely seized power in the territory of Ukraine".<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221404/ Russian Cossacks promise to come to the Donbass to fight "Judeo Banderavyets"], Новости Донбасса (30 March 2014)</ref>

===31 March===
Media incorrectly reported that the Donetsk regional council had formally appealed to the [[Ukrainian parliament]] to take measures to "stabilize the situation in the country" and to “urgently consider the possibility of adopting a law on local referendum after broad public discussion”, to start the draft of "a new version of the constitution that would guarantee decentralisation of government by giving the local authorities broader powers and responsibility for the state of affairs in the region, the creation of regional and district executive bodies, and the formation (pending parliamentary elections) of a two-chamber parliament, where the upper house will express the interests of regions and its members will have the right of legislative initiative”.<ref>[http://en.itar-tass.com/world/725990 Donetsk regional council demands official status for Russian language], [[ITAR-TASS]] (31 March 2014)</ref><ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ukrainian/news_in_brief/2014/03/140331_ak_mzs_ukraine_reaction_russia.shtml Donetsk regional council wants referendum and upgrade status of Russian], [[BBC Ukrainian]] (31 March 2014)</ref> However, the next day the Chairman of Donetsk Regional Council, Andriy Shishatskiy, stated that the letter was not sent on behalf of the Donetsk regional council as it was not in session that day and that the reported letter was an appeal by an individual local MP.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221597 In Donetsk council say that did not require a referendum], Новости Донбасса (1 April 2014)</ref>

===5 April===
In Donetsk, 500 people attended a pro-Russia separatist rally, which had a lower turnout than usual.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/5/7021443/</ref> In Mariupol, Donetsk oblast, separatists stormed the prosecutor's office.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/5/7021466/</ref>

===6 April===
1,000-2,000 pro-Russia protesters attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine.<ref name=rtapr6>http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-protest-russia-733/</ref> After which 200 separatists took control of the first two floors of the building. The pro-Russian protesters broke down doors and smashed windows. The administration headquarters were empty, with only guards inside, as Government officials don’t work on Sundays.<ref name=rtapr6 /> The separatists demanded that if an extraordinary session was not held by officials announcing a referendum to join Russia, they would declare unilateral control by forming a 'People's Mandate' at noon on 7 April, and "dismiss" all elected council members and MPs.<ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/</ref><ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/</ref><ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/</ref> Residents of Donetsk submitted an open letter calling for the acting president of Ukraine to protect them from the pro-Russian separatists.<ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221967/</ref>

In Luhansk, 1,000 pro-Russians rallied in front of the SBU office, demanding the release of separatist leader, Aleksandr Kharitonov. A policeman was injured and hospitalized as the protesters seized the SBU building. One of the demonstrators also reportedly suffered a head injury. Following negotiations, 6 pro-Russian protesters who were previously detained were released from custody.<ref name=rtapr6 /> Those who broke into the SBU building raided the armory and seized weapons.<ref>http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/protesters-seize-weapons-in-ukrainian-security-services-building-in-luhansk-police-342289.html</ref>

In Kharkiv, pro-Russian rally was held where between 2,000 attended,<ref name=ajk2 /> while organizers claimed 10,000 had taken part in the rally.<ref>[http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-protest-russia-733/ According to anti-Maidan activists, around 10,000 people participated in the protest in Kharkov on Sunday.], RT, 6 March 2014</ref> Protesters attacked pro-European protesters, who were protected by a column of police to allow them to escape the mob, while forced to crawl on their knees; the pro-Russian protesters chanted "Kharkiv is a Russian city!" and "Crawl to your Europe!"<ref name=ajk2>http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/04/ukraine-alert-amid-pro-russian-uprisings-20144617216307440.html</ref> 1,500 pro-Russians then rallied in front of the RSA, with some making it inside. An attack on the RSA began after the organizers of the protests urged participants “to support Donetsk and Luhansk where government buildings were seized earlier in the day.”<ref name=rtapr6 /> 500 people were involved in storming the RSA, 30 of which were militants in balaclavas and camouflage, who used stun grenades.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021542/</ref><ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/904595-harkovskie-separatistyi-zahvatili-oga.html</ref>

Ukraine accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of orchestrating the seizures.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/06/us-ukraine-crisis-seizure-idUSBREA350JI20140406</ref>

===7 April===
At 3:30am, a group of pro-Russians stormed the SBU offices in Donetsk and Luhansk.<ref name=BBC7414DR>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928 Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic'], [[BBC News]] (7 April 2014)</ref> They did not make any clear demands.<ref>http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221985/</ref> The militants took control of the SBU armory and armed thesmelves with automatic weapons, and other supporters brought bricks and other debris to erect barricades. Their numbers were initially at 1,000 but have since thinned.<ref>http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-luhansk-standoff-police/25324437.html</ref>

The protesters in Donetsk declared a [[People's Republic of Donetsk]] and unification with Russia.<ref>[http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_separatisty-provozglasili-doneckuyu-respubliku-i-prisoedinilis-k-rossii-onlajntranslyaciya/551233 Сепаратисты провозгласили "Донецкую республику" и "присоединились к России" (онлайн-трансляция)]</ref> Ukrainian news agency [[UNIAN]] reported gunmen then tried to storm a Donetsk TV building, but were deterred by police.<ref name=BBC7414DR/>

In Kharkiv, a pro-Russian rally was held where about 1,000 attended and a pro-Ukraine rally was held attended by about 300 people.<ref>http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/07.04.2014/na_ploschadi_svobody_opyat_dva_mitinga_aktivisty_predlagayut_izbirat_novyh_deputatov/</ref> Around noon about 50 masked men with bats attacked pro-Ukraine demonstrators who responded by throwing bottles at them.<ref>http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/obschestvo/07.04.2014/prorossijskie_aktivisty_razognali_miting_evromajdana/</ref> They also attacked non-Russian journalists.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/ukrainian/news_in_brief/2014/04/140407_it_kharkiv.shtml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter</ref> Separatists then set the RSA on fire with molotov cocktails.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021684/</ref> By morning the next day, police had regained control of the RSA save for 10 pro-Russian separatists who remained in the lobby.<ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/905211-militsiya-kontroliruet-zdanie-harkovskoy-oga-smi.html</ref> In an instance that led journalists to believe protesters were not locals but rather from Russia, protesters stormed a local theater thinking it was city hall.<ref>http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/protesters-storm-kharkiv-theater-thinking-it-was-city-hall/497709.html</ref>

Protesters unilaterally declared outside the Kharkiv RSA a [[Kharkiv People's Republic]] <ref>[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9bd_1396967425 Declaration of the Kharkiv People's Republic]</ref>

Maidan self-defense detained Russian separatists in Odessa, who were in possession of chains, clubs, and guns. The men were then formally arrested by the police.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/7/7021668/</ref>

In Mykolaiv, 300 pro-Russians gathered to storm the RSA but by evening their numbers diminished to 100. Ukrainian self-defense cleared their encampment and found guns and other weapons.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/7/7021682/</ref>

In an address on national TV (Ukrainian) interim President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] stated the curent unrest in eastern Ukraine was "the second wave" of a Russian operation to destabilise Ukraine, overthrow the government and disrupt planned elections and an attempt by Russia to "dismember" Ukraine.<ref name=BBC7414DR/> He also vowed to launch a major "counter-terrorism" operation against separatist movements in the country’s eastern regions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Russian Group in Donetsk declare independence from Ukraine|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/pro-russian-group-in-donetsk-declare-independence-from-ukraine/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>

===8 April===
[[File:2014. Харьков 069.jpg|thumb|Police guarding the building of the [[Kharkiv Oblast]] State Administration building (RSA), 8 April 2014]]
In Kharkiv, the downtown core of the city was blocked and its metro shutdown as part of the anti-terrorism operation. 70 separatists were arrested from the previous night's standoff police.<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021692/</ref> The Interior Troops special squad ''Jaguar'' from [[Vinnytsia]] was used in the operation.<ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/905219-harkovskuyu-oga-osvobodil-yaguar-bez-vyistrelov-i-jertv-deputat.html</ref> Ukrainian police sealed off RSA building in Kharkiv.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26941799 Ukraine crisis: Nato warns Russia against further intervention], [[BBC News]] (8 April 2014)</ref> A pro-Russian rally was (during the day and evening) held on [[Freedom Square (Kharkiv)|Freedom Square]] in front of the RSA by about 1,000 attendees, at about 18.20 hours about several dozens of them unsuccessfully tried to storm the building.<ref name=IUSSK8414>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199766.html Pro-Russian activists in Kharkiv demanding release of those detained in counter-terrorism sweep], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (8 April 2014)</ref><ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/politika/08.04.2014/pod_obladministraciej_snova_miting_byla_popytka_shturma Under the regional administration - again rally. Was an attempt to assault], Status quo (8 April 2014)</ref>{{#tag:ref|Members of the pro-Russian rally also attacked a police bus.<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021805/ Members of pro-Russian rally attacked buses with police], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (8 April 2014)</ref>|group=nb}} About 50 journalists held a rally because they believed the local police had not sufficiently protected them when they were attacked by pro-Russian activists.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.sq.com.ua/rus/news/politika/08.04.2014/harkovskie_zhurnalisty_proveli_akciyu_protesta Kharkiv journalists held a protest], Status quo (8 April 2014)</ref> <ref name=IUSSK8414/>

The referendum and declaration of independence in Donetsk was reportedly put on hold and protesters there reportedly gave up some weapons.<ref>[http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/ukraine-forces-retake-kharkiv-building-pro-russians-hold-out-elsewhere/ Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere], [[Euronews]] (2 April 2014)</ref>

In Luhansk, separatists occupying the SBU building declared themselves the "[[Lugansk Parliamentary Republic]]".<ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021757/</ref> According to Ukrainian security officials, The Separatists planted mines in the building and have taken 60 people hostage.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199762.html SBU demands separatists release hostages, defuse bombs in its office in Luhansk region], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (8 April 2014)</ref><ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/905593-v-luganske-separatistyi-zaminirovali-zdanie-sbu-i-uderjivayut-okolo-60-zalojnikov.html</ref> Ukrainian security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have indicated that some hostages may be used as human shields. They stated that the hostages were participants in the pro-Russian rallies and some are elderly women.<ref>http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-says-pro-russia-separatists-take-60-people-hostage-in-luhansk-342586.html</ref>

==List of notable separatists==
===Pro-Russian activists arrested===
* [[Pavel Gubarev]] (self-proclaimed 'People's Governor' of Donetsk)<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/06/us-ukraine-crisis-gubarev-idUSBREA251AN20140306</ref>
* Robert Donya (self-proclaimed deputy 'People's Governor' of Donesk)<ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/904103-sbu-zaderjala-zamestitelya-donetskogo-separatista-gubareva.html</ref>
* [[Mikhail Chumachenko]] (leader of the self-styled 'Donbass People's Militia')<ref>http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.581357</ref>
* Dmitry Kuzmenko (self-proclaimed 'People's Mayor' of Mariupol)<ref>http://www.0629.com.ua/news/509767</ref>
* [[Anton Davidchenko]] (leader of 'Borotba' Marxist-Leninist communist group in Odessa)<ref>http://borotba.org/borotbistyi_v_odesse_vyishli_pod_upravlenie_sbu_s_trebovaniem_osvobodit_davidchenko.html</ref>
* [[Aleksandr Kharitonov (politician)|Aleksandr Kharitonov]] (leader of 'Luhansk Guard' organization)<ref>http://nahnews.com.ua/the-peoples-governor-kharitonov-was-detained-in-lugansk/</ref>
* [[Arsen Klinchaev]]{{fact|date=April 2014}}

On 3 April, one man was arrested and eight more were put under house arrest on suspicion of involvement in the riots in Donetsk on 13 March, which led to the murder of Dmitry Cherniavsky.<ref>http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/04/03/123220.html</ref>

On April 5, the SBU arrested a group of 15 people in Luhansk, along with 300 machine guns, one anti-tank grenade launcher, five pistols, Molotov cocktails and a large amount of smooth-bore guns and cold steel weapons. "The group planned to carry out an armed seizure of power in Luhansk region on April 10 through intimidation of civilians using weapons and explosives," the SBU press center told Interfax-Ukraine.<ref>http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199310.html</ref>

In Kharkiv [[Antimaidan]] activist Igor Kromskoho (nicknamed "Topaz") was placed under house arrest on March 29 for his alleged involvement in the [[2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine#1 March|1 March raid on the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building]].<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/29/7020727/ "Topaz" was put under house arrest], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (29 March 2014)</ref> On April 7, Topaz fled house arrest, cutting off his monitoring bracelet.<ref>http://www.unian.net/politics/905165-topaz-sbejal-iz-pod-domashnego-aresta.html</ref>

===Russian citizens arrested===
* V.Makarov, an alleged spy from [[GRU]] was arrested in [[Chernihiv]] on March 20, 2014<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/20/7019734/ SBU detained a Russian spy]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. March 20, 2014</ref>
*Anton Rayevsky, a Russian neo-Nazi, was arrested in Odessa and then deported for inciting ethnic hatred and violence<ref name=TSN30314 />
* Roman Bannykh, a military intelligence agent of the Russian [[GRU]], was detained on April 5, 2014<ref name=roman_bannykh>[http://podrobnosti.ua/criminal/2014/04/07/969266.html SBU detained Russian agent who coordinated separatists in Ukraine]. Podrobnosti. April 7, 2014</ref>
* Negrienko was arrested earlier in March 2014 for attempting to recruit Ukrainian police officers.<ref name=roman_bannykh/>
*[[Oleg Bakhtiyarov]], a psychologist and a leader of the extremist [[Eurasian Youth Union]], for allegedly planning to storm the Ukraine's parliament and Cabinet of Ministers buildings in Kiev by force. Bakhtiyarov, working under the guise of a civil society activist in Kiev, had recruited some 200 people for payment of $500 each to assist in storming the buildings and had stockpiled Molotov cocktails and various tools to carry out the provocation.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> The mastermind also arranged, with some Russian TV channels, to film the incident, which would then be blamed on Ukrainian radicals.<ref name=beast>http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/02/alexander-dugin-the-crazy-ideologue-of-the-new-russian-empire.html</ref> Russian writer and the founder of the banned [[National Bolshevik Party]], [[Eduard Limonov]] described Bakhtiyarov as “a good guy, a psychiatrist, a commando, a vet of the [[War of Transnistria|Transdniestria war]] and a participant of in the city hall seizure.”<ref name=beast />
*Dmitry Kolesnikov, a member of [[The Other Russia (party)|The Other Russia]] was arrested.<ref>http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/the-other-russia-concerned-about-fate-of-two-activists-arrested-in-ukraine-342005.html</ref>
*Two Russian citizens (born in 1986 and 1987) were arrested in [[Lviv oblast]] on April 2, 2014, suspected of plotting to take several Ukrainians hostage, including a presidential candidate. In one of the suspect's cars was found a 200-gram TNT block, detonator, and 16 [[9×18mm Makarov]] rounds. Also found was a notebook with details of cars used by the presidential candidate and a timetable of his movements, a tablet with images of the targeted politician, as well as members of Lviv Regional Council, one former MP, photos of houses belonging to them, and plans for gaining access to them.<ref>{{cite news|title=SBU detains 2 Russians suspected of plotting to abduct Ukrainian politicians|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-2-russians-suspected-of-plotting-to-abduct-ukrainian-politicians-341979.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=3 April 2014}}</ref>
* Mariya Koleda, born 1991, arrested on April 9, 2014. Koleda is a Russian citizen who performed intelligence agencies’ tasks to destabilize the situation in the southern regions of Ukraine. On April 7, she took part in fights at the Mykolaiv Oblast Regional State Administration building using a firearm. She claims that she wounded three people. “She also reported on the preparation of two subversive groups (7 persons from Kherson and 6 people from Nova Kakhovka) to participate in riots in Donetsk,” reports the SSU. Koleda is an active member of the pro-Putin “Russia molodaya” (aka “Rosmol”).<ref>http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/04/09/ssu-detains-a-23-year-old-female-russian-spy-who-organized-saboteurs/</ref><ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/9/7021863/</ref>

===Latvian citizen arrested===
* A UK-based Latvian citizen [[Beness Aijo]], an activist of Russia's [[National Bolshevik Party]] and [[The Other Russia (party)|The Other Russia]], was arrested in [[Donetsk]] on April 1, 2014 for "preparation of an armed coup to overthrow the government and to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine"<ref name=AYOBAND>http://news2night.com/en/news/portal-v-donetske-arestovan-ajo-benes#.UzxCClfcxHU</ref><ref>https://news.pn/en/public/99968</ref> Previously Aijo had stated he came to Ukraine to "protect [[Russians]] from [[Stepan Bandera|Bandera]]."<ref name=AYOBAND/>

===Alexander Dugin===
On 29 March, Russian political scientist [[Aleksandr Dugin]], one of the founders of the [[National Bolshevik Party]] and known for his ties to Vladimir Putin, appeared in a leaked Skype video conference with Kateryna Gubareva, the wife of Donetsk-based separatist Pavel Gubarev. In the call, he reassured her of Moscow's support and further actions that should be taken by the movement. He also stated all presidential nominees should be considered 'traitors' with only Yanukovych considered legitimate. He also said that separatists should “act in a radical way" and Moscow will later support civil war in Ukraine, saying “The Kremlin is determined to fight for the independence of South-east Ukraine.”<ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/02/alexander-dugin-the-crazy-ideologue-of-the-new-russian-empire.html Alexander Dugin: The Crazy Ideologue of the New Russian Empire], [[The Daily Beast]] (2 April 2014)</ref><ref>http://maidantranslations.com/2014/04/02/known-russian-fascist-aleksandr-dugin-instructs-ukrainian-separatists/</ref>
Following the video's release, a member of Dugin's [[Eurasian Youth Union]] (Oleg Bakhtiyarov) was arrested on March 31 for planning terrorist acts in Ukraine.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/>

==Place of protests ==


===Pro-Russian protests===
===Pro-Russian protests===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: left"
|- style="width:15em; text-align:right;"
|- style="width:15em; text-align:right;"
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|[[Mykolayiv]]||5,000-6,000||2 Mar||<ref>[http://www.mukola.net/news.php?id=58741 В Николаеве на месте памятника Ленину установили российский флаг и флаг города] {{ref-ru}}</ref>
|[[Mykolayiv]]||5,000-6,000||2 Mar||<ref>[http://www.mukola.net/news.php?id=58741 В Николаеве на месте памятника Ленину установили российский флаг и флаг города] {{ref-ru}}</ref>
|-
|-
||[[Odessa]]||5,000||1 Mar||<ref>http://ukrainianpolicy.com/russian-nationalists-protest-in-ukraine/</ref>
||[[Odessa]]||5,000||1 Mar||<ref>[http://ukrainianpolicy.com/russian-nationalists-protest-in-ukraine/ Russian Nationalists Protest in Ukraine | Ukrainian Policy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Luhansk]]||5,000||1 Mar||<ref name="pravda.com.ua">[http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/03/2/7017106/ В Луганске участники '&#39;русской весны'&#39; захватили ОГА и просят у Путина ввести войска | Украинская правда<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="1tv.ru">[http://www.1tv.ru/news/world/253227 На юго-востоке Украины прошла серия митингов против новой власти в Киеве - Первый канал<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="day.kiev.ua">[http://www.day.kiev.ua/ru/news/010314-v-luganskoy-oblasti-segodnya-proshli-prorossiyskie-mitingi В Луганской области сегодня прошли пророссийские митинги | Газета «День»<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://tvrain.ru/articles/nad_zdaniem_administratsii_luganska_podnjali_rossijskij_flag-364095/?autoplay=false Над зданием администрации Луганска подняли российский флаг<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="1tv.ru"/><ref name="day.kiev.ua"/>
|[[Luhansk]]||5,000||1 Mar||<ref name="pravda.com.ua"/><ref name="1tv.ru"/><ref name="day.kiev.ua"/>
|-
|-
|[[Kharkiv]]||3,000-10,000||6 Apr||<ref name=k3k /><ref>[http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-protest-russia-733/ According to anti-Maidan activists, around 10,000 people participated in the protest in Kharkov on Sunday.], RT, 6 March 2014</ref>
|[[Kharkiv]]||3,000-10,000||6 Apr||<ref name=k3k>[http://nahnews.com.ua/kharkov-protesters-demand-referendum-on-april-27-photo/ Kharkov protesters demand referendum on April 27 (PHOTO) | Новости Украины<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://ca-news.org/news:1103932/ CA-NEWS: В Харькове прошли два шествия: пророссийский и за евроинтеграцию<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://rt.com/news/ukraine-donetsk-protest-russia-733/ According to anti-Maidan activists, around 10,000 people participated in the protest in Kharkov on Sunday.], RT, 6 March 2014</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Sevastopol]]||2,000+||23 Feb||<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|title=Ukraine crisis fuels secession calls in pro-Russian south|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 February 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|archivedate=24 February 2014}}</ref>
|[[Sevastopol]]||2,000+||23 Feb||<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|title=Ukraine crisis fuels secession calls in pro-Russian south|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 February 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|archivedate=24 February 2014}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Simferopol]]||2,000+||26 Feb||<ref>http://rt.com/news/crimea-ukraine-protest-clashes-840/</ref>
|[[Simferopol]]||2,000+||26 Feb||<ref>[http://rt.com/news/crimea-ukraine-protest-clashes-840/ Stones, bottles thrown as pro-, anti-Russian protesters clash in Crimea — RT News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Mariupol]]||2,000+||1 Mar||<ref>[http://mariupol-life.com.ua/Город/Мариупольцы-поддерживают-Севастополь-ФОТО.html Мариупольцы поддерживают Севастополь ] {{ref-ru}}</ref>
|[[Mariupol]]||2,000+||1 Mar||<ref>[http://mariupol-life.com.ua/Город/Мариупольцы-поддерживают-Севастополь-ФОТО.html Мариупольцы поддерживают Севастополь ] {{ref-ru}}</ref>
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|[[Dnipropetrovsk]]||1,000-3,000||1 Mar||<ref>[http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_dnepropetrovske_sostoyalis_dva_mitinga_za_i_protiv_novoy_vlasti_1608502 В Днепропетровске состоялись два митинга: за и против новой власти] {{ref-ru}}</ref>
|[[Dnipropetrovsk]]||1,000-3,000||1 Mar||<ref>[http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_dnepropetrovske_sostoyalis_dva_mitinga_za_i_protiv_novoy_vlasti_1608502 В Днепропетровске состоялись два митинга: за и против новой власти] {{ref-ru}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Kherson]]||400||2 Mar||<ref name="news.liga.net">[http://news.liga.net/news/politics/992435-v_khersone_proshel_miting_protiv_nasiliya_i_fashizma_v_ukraine.htm В Херсоне прошел пророссийский митинг<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|[[Kherson]]||400||2 Mar||<ref name="news.liga.net"/>
|-
|-
|[[Kerch]]||200||Feb 24||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/888686-v-kerchi-mitinguyuschie-sorvali-ukrainskiy-flag-i-merii-i-povesili-rossiyskiy.html |title=В Керчи митингующие сорвали украинский флаг и мэрии и повесили российский : Новости УНИАН |publisher=Unian.net |date= |accessdate=2014-02-24}}</ref>
|[[Kerch]]||200||Feb 24||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/888686-v-kerchi-mitinguyuschie-sorvali-ukrainskiy-flag-i-merii-i-povesili-rossiyskiy.html |title=В Керчи митингующие сорвали украинский флаг и мэрии и повесили российский : Новости УНИАН |publisher=Unian.net |date= |accessdate=2014-02-24}}</ref>
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===Pro-Ukraine counter protests===
===Pro-Ukraine counter protests===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto"
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|[[Dnipropetrovsk]]||40,000||Mar 2||<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraines-leader-urges-putin-to-pull-back-military/2014/03/02/004ec166-a202-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html], [[Washington Post]] (2 March 2014)</ref>
|[[Dnipropetrovsk]]||40,000||Mar 2||<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraines-leader-urges-putin-to-pull-back-military/2014/03/02/004ec166-a202-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html], [[Washington Post]] (2 March 2014)</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Kharkiv]]||25,000||Mar 9||<ref>http://censor.net.ua/photo_news/274938/tysyachi_harkovchan_vyshli_na_miting_pod_lozungom_putina_get_fotoreportajvideo</ref>
|[[Kharkiv]]||25,000||Mar 9||<ref>[http://censor.net.ua/photo_news/274938/tysyachi_harkovchan_vyshli_na_miting_pod_lozungom_putina_get_fotoreportajvideo Тысячи харьковчан вышли на митинг под лозунгом Путина геть!. ФОТОрепортаж+ВИДЕО - Крым, Россия, Украина, Харьков, Агрессия России против Украины (09.03.14 19:10) « Политика Ук...<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Sumy]]||25,000+||Mar 2||<ref>http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/na_ulitse_v_sumah_protestovat_protiv_rossii_vishli_10_tisyach_lyudey_1608599</ref><ref name="fraza.ua">http://fraza.ua/news/02.03.14/189700/v_krivom_roge_sumah_i_poltave_takzhe_prohodjat_mnogotysjachnye_mitingi_protiv_rossijskoj_agressii.html</ref>
|[[Sumy]]||25,000+||Mar 2||<ref>[http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/na_ulitse_v_sumah_protestovat_protiv_rossii_vishli_10_tisyach_lyudey_1608599 На улице в Сумах протестовать против России вышли 10 тысяч людей | УКРИНФОРМ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="fraza.ua">[http://fraza.ua/news/02.03.14/189700/v_krivom_roge_sumah_i_poltave_takzhe_prohodjat_mnogotysjachnye_mitingi_protiv_rossijskoj_agressii.html В Кривом Роге, Сумах и Полтаве также проходят многотысячные митинги против российской агрессии - Новости / ФРАЗА<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Simferopol]]||20,000-25,000||Feb 23||<ref>http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25274499.html</ref>
|[[Simferopol]]||20,000-25,000||Feb 23||<ref>[http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25274499.html У Криму вимагають розпуску парламенту автономії і знесення пам’ятника Леніну<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Odessa]]||20,000||Mar 30||<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/v-odesse-na-prorossiyskom-mitinge-devushki-prosilis-zamuzh-za-moskalya-506460.html In Odessa, on the pro-Russian rally girl asks to marry "Muscovite" (photo)], [[Segodnya]] (30 March 2014)</ref>
|[[Odessa]]||20,000||Mar 30||<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/odessa/v-odesse-na-prorossiyskom-mitinge-devushki-prosilis-zamuzh-za-moskalya-506460.html In Odessa, on the pro-Russian rally girl asks to marry "Muscovite" (photo)], [[Segodnya]] (30 March 2014)</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Zaporizhia]]||25,000+||Mar 2||<ref>http://www.061.ua/news/486605</ref><ref>http://censor.net.ua/news/273767/v_zaporoje_proshel_miting_protiv_vmeshatelstva_rossii_fotoreportaj</ref>
|[[Zaporizhia]]||25,000+||Mar 2||<ref>[http://www.061.ua/news/486605 В Запорожье прошел митинг против вмешательства России (ФОТО, ОБНОВЛЕНО) | 061.ua - Новости Запорожья<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://censor.net.ua/news/273767/v_zaporoje_proshel_miting_protiv_vmeshatelstva_rossii_fotoreportaj В Запорожье прошел митинг против вмешательства России. ФОТОрепортаж - Запорожье, Крым, ОГА, Россия, Украина, Агрессия России против Украины (02.03.14 18:29) « Политика Украины...<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Donetsk]]||20,000||Mar 5||<ref name="march5donetsk">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-evacuation-idUSBREA240JC20140305|title=Activists replant Russian flag above HQ in Ukraine|publisher=Reuters|date=2013-03-05|accessdate=2013-03-06}}</ref>
|[[Donetsk]]||20,000||Mar 5||<ref name=march5donetsk/>
|-
|-
|[[Kherson]]||15,000||Mar 22||<ref>http://khersonline.net/novosti/obschestvo/21630-hersonskie-kommunisty-zateryalis-mezhdu-evromaydanami.html</ref><ref>http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/22/7019952/</ref>
|[[Kherson]]||15,000||Mar 22||<ref>[http://khersonline.net/novosti/obschestvo/21630-hersonskie-kommunisty-zateryalis-mezhdu-evromaydanami.html Херсонские коммунисты затерялись между Евромайданами (фоторепортаж) » ХЕРСОН Онлайн общественно политическое интернет издание<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/22/7019952/ У Херсоні сепаратистів зібралося вдесятеро менше, ніж противників референдуму | Українська правда<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
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|[[Kryvyi Rih]]||5,000||Mar 2||<ref name="fraza.ua"/>
|[[Kryvyi Rih]]||5,000||Mar 2||<ref name="fraza.ua"/>
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|[[Poltava]]||3,000||Mar 2||<ref name="fraza.ua"/>
|[[Poltava]]||3,000||Mar 2||<ref name="fraza.ua"/>
|-
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|[[Kramatorsk]]||2,000||Mar 30||<ref>http://www.vp.donetsk.ua/gorod/10941-mitingi-v-kramatorske-unitarii-sozdali-zhivoj-koridor-a-federalisty-sozhgli-flag-evrosoyuza-foto.html</ref>
|[[Kramatorsk]]||2,000||Mar 30||<ref>[http://www.vp.donetsk.ua/gorod/10941-mitingi-v-kramatorske-unitarii-sozdali-zhivoj-koridor-a-federalisty-sozhgli-flag-evrosoyuza-foto.html Митинги в Краматорске: "унитарии" создали живой коридор, а "федералисты" сожгли флаг Евросоюза (фото, видео) | Восточный проект - новости Краматорска<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
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|[[Luhansk]]||1,000||Mar 30||<ref name=100lu>{{uk icon}} [http://www.5.ua/ukrajina/suspilstvo/item/377204-luhanchany-provely-u-misti-mitynh-iednosti-ukrainy Luhansk Oblast had a unity rally in Ukraine], [[5 Kanal (Ukraine)]] (30 March 2014)</ref>
|[[Luhansk]]||1,000||Mar 30||<ref name=100lu />
|-
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|}
|}


==International reaction==
==International reaction==
===Crimea===
===Supranational organisations===
For international reactions to the Crimean crisis, see [[International reactions to the 2014 Crimean crisis]].
*{{Flagu|UN}} – UN Secretary General [[Ban Ki-moon]] condemned the violence that occurred in Eastern Ukraine over the weekend of 14–16 March and urged all parties "to refrain from violence and to commit themselves to de-escalation and inclusive national dialogue in the pursuit of a political and diplomatic solution."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47366&Cr=ukraine&Cr1=#.UyeF2s7j_1U|title=Ukraine: Ban ‘deeply concerned’ Crimea vote will worsen complex, tense situation|publisher=UN News Centre|date=2014-03-17|accessdate=2014-03-18}}</ref> Assistant U.S. Secretary of State [[Victoria Nuland]] said that the United States has no doubt that Russians were behind the takeovers of government buildings in eastern Ukraine.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/09/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-buildings-idUSBREA381AA20140409</ref>
===Eastern and Southern Ukraine===
Various international entities have warned all sides to reduce tensions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine.
====Supranational organisations====
*{{Flagu|UN}} – UN Secretary General [[Ban Ki-moon]] condemned the violence that occurred in Eastern Ukraine over the weekend of 14–16 March and urged all parties "to refrain from violence and to commit themselves to de-escalation and inclusive national dialogue in the pursuit of a political and diplomatic solution."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47366&Cr=ukraine&Cr1=#.UyeF2s7j_1U|title=Ukraine: Ban ‘deeply concerned’ Crimea vote will worsen complex, tense situation|publisher=UN News Centre|date=2014-03-17|accessdate=2014-03-18}}</ref> Assistant U.S. Secretary of State [[Victoria Nuland]] said that the United States has no doubt that Russians were behind the takeovers of government buildings in eastern Ukraine.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/09/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-buildings-idUSBREA381AA20140409 Senior U.S. diplomat: no doubt Russians involved in Ukraine unrest | Reuters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


===States===
====States====
*{{Flagu|Russia}} – Russia's Foreign Ministry stated in a 8 April 2014 statement on its official website ""We are calling for the immediate cessation of any military preparations, which could lead to civil war".<ref name=RFMS8414/> The ministry alleged that what it called "American experts from the private military organization [[Blackwater_USA_businesses#Greystone_Limited|Greystone]]" disguised as soldiers, as well as militants from the Ukrainian far-right group [[Right Sector]], had joined Ukrainian forces preparing for the crackdown in eastern Ukraine.<ref name=RFMS8414>[http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/08/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?eref=edition Russia warns of civil war if Ukraine uses force to quell eastern revolts], [[CNN]] (8 April 2014)</ref> In an 7 April [[opinion piece]] in [[The Guardian]] Russian foreign minister [[Sergei Lavrov]] wrote it was the [[EU]] and [[US]], and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilising Ukraine ("the EU and US have been trying to compel Ukraine to make a painful choice between east and west, further aggravating internal differences") and that "Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine".<ref name=GopL74>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/07/ukraine-crisis-pro-russia-activists-declare-independence-donetsk Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk], [[The Guardian]] (7 April 2014)</ref><ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/07/sergei-lavrov-russia-stabilise-ukraine-west Sergei Lavrov: It's not Russia that is destabilising Ukraine], [[The Guardian]] (7 April 2014)</ref><ref name=BBCRMS8414>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26934190 Ukraine crisis: Bid to retake buildings seized by separatists], [[BBC News]] (8 April 2014)</ref>
*{{Flagu|Russia}} – Russia's Foreign Ministry stated in a 8 April 2014 statement on its official website ""We are calling for the immediate cessation of any military preparations, which could lead to civil war".<ref name=RFMS8414/> The ministry alleged that what it called "American experts from the private military organization [[Blackwater_USA_businesses#Greystone_Limited|Greystone]]" disguised as soldiers, as well as militants from the Ukrainian far-right group [[Right Sector]], had joined Ukrainian forces preparing for the crackdown in eastern Ukraine.<ref name=RFMS8414>[http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/08/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?eref=edition Russia warns of civil war if Ukraine uses force to quell eastern revolts], [[CNN]] (8 April 2014)</ref> In an 7 April [[opinion piece]] in [[The Guardian]] Russian foreign minister [[Sergei Lavrov]] wrote it was the [[EU]] and [[US]], and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilising Ukraine ("the EU and US have been trying to compel Ukraine to make a painful choice between east and west, further aggravating internal differences") and that "Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine".<ref name=GopL74>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/07/ukraine-crisis-pro-russia-activists-declare-independence-donetsk Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk], [[The Guardian]] (7 April 2014)</ref><ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/07/sergei-lavrov-russia-stabilise-ukraine-west Sergei Lavrov: It's not Russia that is destabilising Ukraine], [[The Guardian]] (7 April 2014)</ref><ref name=BBCRMS8414>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26934190 Ukraine crisis: Bid to retake buildings seized by separatists], [[BBC News]] (8 April 2014)</ref>
* {{Flagu|USA}} – US Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] defined (on 7 April 2014) the conflict in in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol a carefully orchestrated campaign with Russian support.<ref>http://m.state.gov/md224477.htm</ref><ref name="BBC7414DR" />
* {{Flagu|USA}} – US Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] defined (on 7 April 2014) the conflict in in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol a carefully orchestrated campaign with Russian support.<ref>[http://m.state.gov/md224477.htm Daily Press Briefing: April 7, 2014<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=BBCtha />

==Notable protesters==
===Pro-Russian activists arrested===
* [[Pavel Gubarev]] (self-proclaimed 'People's Governor' of Donetsk)<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/06/us-ukraine-crisis-gubarev-idUSBREA251AN20140306 Pro-Moscow protest leader arrested in Ukraine's Donetsk | Reuters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Robert Donya (self-proclaimed deputy 'People's Governor' of Donesk)<ref>[http://www.unian.net/politics/904103-sbu-zaderjala-zamestitelya-donetskogo-separatista-gubareva.html СБУ задержала заместителя донецкого сепаратиста Губарева : Новости УНИАН<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[Mikhail Chumachenko]] (leader of the self-styled 'Donbass People's Militia')<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.581357 Russian troops storm last Ukrainian base in Crimea Israel News | Haaretz<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Dmitry Kuzmenko (self-proclaimed 'People's Mayor' of Mariupol)<ref>[http://www.0629.com.ua/news/509767 «Народный мэр» Мариуполя Дмитрий Кузьменко задержан сотрудниками СБУ | 0629.com.ua - Новости Мариуполя<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[Anton Davidchenko]] (leader of 'Borotba' Marxist-Leninist communist group in Odessa)<ref>[http://borotba.org/borotbistyi_v_odesse_vyishli_pod_upravlenie_sbu_s_trebovaniem_osvobodit_davidchenko.html Боротьбисты в Одессе вышли под управление СБУ с требованием освободить Давидченко<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[Aleksandr Kharitonov (politician)|Aleksandr Kharitonov]] (leader of 'Luhansk Guard' organization)<ref>[http://nahnews.com.ua/the-peoples-governor-kharitonov-was-detained-in-lugansk/ “The people’s governor” Kharitonov was detained in Lugansk | Новости Украины<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[Arsen Klinchaev]]{{fact|date=April 2014}}

On 3 April, one man was arrested and eight more were put under house arrest on suspicion of involvement in the riots in Donetsk on 13 March, which led to the murder of Dmitry Cherniavsky.<ref>[http://donetsk.comments.ua/news/2014/04/03/123220.html Арестован подозреваемый в убийстве на митинге в Донецке 13 марта - Донецк.comments.ua<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

On April 5, the SBU arrested a group of 15 people in Luhansk, along with 300 machine guns, one anti-tank grenade launcher, five pistols, Molotov cocktails and a large amount of smooth-bore guns and cold steel weapons. "The group planned to carry out an armed seizure of power in Luhansk region on April 10 through intimidation of civilians using weapons and explosives," the SBU press center told Interfax-Ukraine.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199310.html SBU exposes armed group plotting armed seizure of power in Luhansk region<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In Kharkiv [[Antimaidan]] activist Igor Kromskoho (nicknamed "Topaz") was placed under house arrest on March 29 for his alleged involvement in the [[2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine#1 March|1 March raid on the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building]].<ref>{{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/29/7020727/ "Topaz" was put under house arrest], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (29 March 2014)</ref> On April 7, Topaz fled house arrest, cutting off his monitoring bracelet.<ref>[http://www.unian.net/politics/905165-topaz-sbejal-iz-pod-domashnego-aresta.html Топаз сбежал из-под домашнего ареста : Новости УНИАН<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Russian citizens arrested===
* V. Makarov, an alleged spy from [[GRU]] was arrested in [[Chernihiv]] on March 20, 2014<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/20/7019734/ SBU detained a Russian spy]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. March 20, 2014</ref>
*Anton Rayevsky, a Russian neo-Nazi, was arrested in Odessa and then deported for inciting ethnic hatred and violence<ref name=TSN30314>[http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/z-ukrayini-vidvoreno-rosiyskogo-neonacista-chornosotencya-yakiy-gotuvav-diversiyu-v-odesi-342636.html З України видворено російського неонациста-"чорносотенця", який готував диверсію в Одесі - Новини України на 1+1 - ТСН.ua<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Roman Bannykh, a military intelligence agent of the Russian [[GRU]], was detained on April 5, 2014<ref name=roman_bannykh>[http://podrobnosti.ua/criminal/2014/04/07/969266.html SBU detained Russian agent who coordinated separatists in Ukraine]. Podrobnosti. April 7, 2014</ref>
* Negrienko was arrested earlier in March 2014 for attempting to recruit Ukrainian police officers.<ref name=roman_bannykh/>
*[[Oleg Bakhtiyarov]], a psychologist and a leader of the extremist [[Eurasian Youth Union]], for allegedly planning to storm the Ukraine's parliament and Cabinet of Ministers buildings in Kiev by force. Bakhtiyarov, working under the guise of a civil society activist in Kiev, had recruited some 200 people for payment of $500 each to assist in storming the buildings and had stockpiled Molotov cocktails and various tools to carry out the provocation.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> The mastermind also arranged, with some Russian TV channels, to film the incident, which would then be blamed on Ukrainian radicals.<ref name=beast>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/02/alexander-dugin-the-crazy-ideologue-of-the-new-russian-empire.html Alexander Dugin: The Crazy Ideologue of the New Russian Empire - The Daily Beast<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Russian writer and the founder of the banned [[National Bolshevik Party]], [[Eduard Limonov]] described Bakhtiyarov as “a good guy, a psychiatrist, a commando, a vet of the [[War of Transnistria]] and a participant of in the city hall seizure.”<ref name=beast />
*Dmitry Kolesnikov, a member of [[The Other Russia (party)|The Other Russia]] was arrested.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/the-other-russia-concerned-about-fate-of-two-activists-arrested-in-ukraine-342005.html The Other Russia concerned about fate of two activists arrested in Ukraine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Two Russian citizens (born in 1986 and 1987) were arrested in [[Lviv oblast]] on April 2, 2014, suspected of plotting to take several Ukrainians hostage, including a presidential candidate. In one of the suspect's cars was found a 200-gram TNT block, detonator, and 16 [[9×18mm Makarov]] rounds. Also found was a notebook with details of cars used by the presidential candidate and a timetable of his movements, a tablet with images of the targeted politician, as well as members of Lviv Regional Council, one former MP, photos of houses belonging to them, and plans for gaining access to them.<ref>{{cite news|title=SBU detains 2 Russians suspected of plotting to abduct Ukrainian politicians|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/sbu-detains-2-russians-suspected-of-plotting-to-abduct-ukrainian-politicians-341979.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=3 April 2014}}</ref>
* Mariya Koleda, born 1991, arrested on April 9, 2014. Koleda is a Russian citizen who performed intelligence agencies’ tasks to destabilize the situation in the southern regions of Ukraine. On April 7, she took part in fights at the Mykolaiv Oblast Regional State Administration building using a firearm. She claims that she wounded three people. “She also reported on the preparation of two subversive groups (7 persons from Kherson and 6 people from Nova Kakhovka) to participate in riots in Donetsk,” reports the SSU. Koleda is an active member of the pro-Putin “Russia molodaya” (aka “Rosmol”).<ref>[http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/04/09/ssu-detains-a-23-year-old-female-russian-spy-who-organized-saboteurs/ SSU detains a 23-year old female Russian spy who organized saboteurs | Euromaidan PR<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/9/7021863/ СБУ затримала російську шпигунку, яка організовувала диверсантів | Українська правда<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Latvian citizen arrested===
* A UK-based Latvian citizen [[Beness Aijo]], an activist of Russia's [[National Bolshevik Party]] and [[The Other Russia (party)|The Other Russia]], was arrested in [[Donetsk]] on April 1, 2014 for "preparation of an armed coup to overthrow the government and to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine"<ref name=AYOBAND>[http://news2night.com/en/news/portal-v-donetske-arestovan-ajo-benes#.UzxCClfcxHU News2Night | Latest News | Portal: in Donetsk arrested Ayo Benes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[https://news.pn/en/public/99968 Extremists from the Crimea get over to Donetsk: on meeting for Yanukovych Aksenov's black "fighter"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Previously Aijo had stated he came to Ukraine to "protect [[Russians]] from [[Stepan Bandera|Bandera]]."<ref name=AYOBAND/>

===Alexander Dugin===
On 29 March, Russian political scientist [[Aleksandr Dugin]], one of the founders of the [[National Bolshevik Party]] and known for his ties to Vladimir Putin, appeared in a leaked Skype video conference with Kateryna Gubareva, the wife of Donetsk-based separatist Pavel Gubarev. In the call, he reassured her of Moscow's support and further actions that should be taken by the movement. He also stated all presidential nominees should be considered 'traitors' with only Yanukovych considered legitimate. He also said that separatists should “act in a radical way" and Moscow will later support civil war in Ukraine, saying “The Kremlin is determined to fight for the independence of South-east Ukraine.”<ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/02/alexander-dugin-the-crazy-ideologue-of-the-new-russian-empire.html Alexander Dugin: The Crazy Ideologue of the New Russian Empire], [[The Daily Beast]] (2 April 2014)</ref><ref>[http://maidantranslations.com/2014/04/02/known-russian-fascist-aleksandr-dugin-instructs-ukrainian-separatists/ Known Russian Fascist Aleksandr Dugin Instructs Ukrainian Separatists | Voices of Ukraine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Following the video's release, a member of Dugin's [[Eurasian Youth Union]] (Oleg Bakhtiyarov) was arrested on March 31 for planning terrorist acts in Ukraine.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
<gallery>
File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0149.jpg|Pro-Russian demonstration in [[Donetsk]], 1 March 2014.
File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0149.jpg|Pro-Russian demonstration in [[Donetsk]], 1 March 2014.
File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0021.jpg|Protesters in [[Donetsk]], 1 March 2014.
File:2014-03-01. Митинг в Донецке 0021.jpg|Protesters in [[Donetsk]], 1 March 2014.
Line 420: Line 264:


==See also==
==See also==
*[[2014 Crimean crisis]]
*[[Russians in Ukraine]]
*[[1954 transfer of Crimea]]
*[[2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine]]
*[[Soviet annexation of ethnic Ukrainian territories (1939)]]
*[[2014 Russian anti-war protests]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
:A.{{Note|NoteA}}Although the bill to repeal the language law passed (on 23 February 2014) with a majority of votes (232 deputies out of 450) in the [[Verkhovna Rada]], Interim President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] has since announced that he will not sign it until "there is a new proper legislation to replace it". "Although the language law was unbalanced, I will not sign into law the parliament's decision to repeal it until a new bill to protect all {minority} languages is passed," Turchynov said.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://en.ria.ru/world/20140303/188063675/Ukraines-2012-Language-Law-to-Stay-Until-New-Bill-Ready--Turchynov.html |title=Ukraine's 2012 Language Law to Stay Until New Bill Ready – Turchynov|agency=RIA Novosti| place = [[Russia|RU]] | date=3 March 2014|accessdate = 4 March 2014}}</ref><ref name = "cause1">{{cite news| url= http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/26/ukraine-s-crimea-a-hotbed-of-russia-bound-separatism/ |title=Ukraine's Crimea: a hotbed of Russia-bound separatism|publisher = Euronews| date = 26 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/1/in-crimea-citizensstandforselfdefenseandmotherrussia.html| archiveurl = http://wayback.archive.org/web/20140302074212/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/1/in-crimea-citizensstandforselfdefenseandmotherrussia.html| archivedate = 2 March 2014 |title=In Crimea, citizens stand for self defense and Mother Russia|publisher=Al Jazeera|date= 1 March 2014}}</ref><ref name = "ibtlanguage">{{cite news|url= http://www.ibtimes.com/watch-your-tongue-language-controversy-one-fundamental-conflicts-ukraine-1559069 |title=Watch Your Tongue: Language Controversy One of Fundamental Conflicts In Ukraine| work =International Business Times|date=3 March 2014 | accessdate = 4 March 2014}}</ref>
{{Reflist |group=nb}}
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}


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==External links==
==External links==
*{{commonscat-inline|2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine}}
*{{commonscat-inline|2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine}}



{{Euromaidan}}
{{Euromaidan}}
{{2014 Crimean crisis}}
{{2014 Crimean crisis}}
{{Anti-government protests in the 21st century}}
{{Anti-government protests in the 21st century}}



[[Category:2014 Crimean crisis]]
[[Category:2014 Crimean crisis]]

Revision as of 00:33, 10 April 2014

2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine
Part of the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution
Comparison of pro-Russia vs. Ukraine protests
Date23 February 2014–present
(10 years, 3 months, 1 week and 5 days)
Location
Caused by
Goals
Methods
Parties
Casualties and losses

Since the end of February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups have taken place in major cities across the south-eastern regions of Ukraine, in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the Euromaidan movement. Various Russian news media outlets have used the term Russian Spring (Russian: Русская весна) to describe the protests.[21]

Background

Ukraine has been gripped by unrest since President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union on 21 November 2013. A widespread movement known as 'Euromaidan' demanded closer ties with the European Union, and the ouster of President Yanukovych.[22] This movement was ultimately successful, culminating in the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, which removed Yanukovych and his government.[23] However, some people in largely Russophone Eastern and Southern Ukraine, the traditional bases of support for Yanukovych and his Party of the Regions, did not approve of the ouster, and began to protest in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Starting on 23 February 2014, various demonstrations were held in Crimea in favour of leaving Ukraine and accession to the Russian Federation, leading to the 2014 Crimean crisis.

On 1 March, regional state administration buildings (RSAs) in various eastern Ukrainian oblasts were briefly occupied by pro-Russian activists. By 11 March, all occupations had ended, after units of the local police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) re-took the buildings.[24] In Donetsk, protests have descended into violence on multiple occasions, including on 13 March where one pro-Kiev protester was stabbed to death.[25][26] In Kharkiv, Patriots of Ukraine members shot dead a pro-Russian 'Oplot' gang member and a passerby on the night of 15 March when pro-Russian protesters attacked the Right Sector headquarters.[16]

According to officials and pro-government eyewitness accounts not all attendees of the protests are Ukrainian nationals; but a significant number of them are Russian citizens.[11][27] Pro-Russian activists, meanwhile, say that pro-Ukrainian counter-protesters consist of paid attendees and students who are under threat of expulsion from their universities (if they fail to attend the pro-Ukrainian rallies).[28] Donetsk oblast governor Serhiy Taruta alleges that rallies in Donetsk contain ex-convicts and others who traveled from Crimea.[29] Ukraine's security forces and border guards since 4 March have denied more than 8,200 Russians into the country as of 25 March. On 27 March, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said that between 500 and 700 Russians were being denied entry daily.[30]

Public opinion

A poll conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in the fist half of February 2014 assessed support for union with Russia throughout Ukraine. It found that, overall, 12% of those polled favoured union with Russia.[31] However, support for such a union was found to be much higher in certain areas:

In another opinion poll conducted from 14–26 March by the International Republican Institute, 26-27% of the polled Southern and Eastern Ukrainians viewed the Euromaidan protests as a coup d'etat. Only 5% of respondents in Eastern Ukraine felt that Russian-speakers were 'definitely' under pressure or threat. 43% of ethnic Russians ('definitely' or 'rather') supported the decision of the Russian Federation to send its military to protect Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine. In the poll, 22% of Southern Ukraine, and 26% of Eastern Ukraine supported the idea of federalization of the country; 69% of Southern and 53% of Eastern supported Ukraine remaining as a unitary state; 2% of Southern and 4% of Eastern supported separatism ("divide into several countries").[32]

Timeline

Unrest by region

Crimea

Beginning on February 26, pro-Russian forces, many of which were widely believed to be Russian military without insignias,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] began to gradually take control of the Crimean peninsula. During this time, the question of joining the Russian Federation was put to a referendum, which had a official turnout of 83 per cent and resulted in a 96% affirmative vote [42] but has been condemned by the EU, the USA, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar officials as contrary to Ukraine's constitution and to international law.[43][44][42][45] On March 17, the Crimean Parliament declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation.[46] On March 18 Russia and Crimea signed a treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian Federation.[47][48] The U.N. General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution that declared that the referendum was invalid, and the incorporation of Crimea into Russia as illegal.[49][50]

Donetsk

Pro-Russian protesters occupied the Donetsk regional state administration (RSA) building from 1 March to 6 March, before being removed by the Security Service of Ukraine.[24][51]

According to Ukrainian authorities the seizure of RSA's are part of "a script which has been written in the Russian Federation" to destabilize Ukraine and bring in Russian troops executed by "about 1,500 radicals in each region who spoke with clear Russian accents".[52]

On Sunday, 6 April 2014, 1,000-2,000[53] pro-Russia protesters attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine.[54] After which, 200 separatists (according to Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for Donetsk local police, about 1,000[53]) pro-Russian protesters stormed and took control of the first two floors of the building, breaking down doors and smashing windows. The administration headquarters were empty, with only guards inside, as government officials would not work there on Sundays.[54] The separatists demanded that if an extraordinary session was not held by officials, announcing a referendum to join Russia, they would declare unilateral control by forming a "People's Mandate" at noon on 7 April, and dismiss all elected council members and MPs.[55][56][57] The people who voted within the RSA were not elected to the positions they assumed.[58] According to the Russian ITAR-TASS the declaration was voted by some regional legislators, however there are claims that neither the Donetsk city council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.[59][60]

People's Republic of Donetsk

On 6 April, the leaders of the separatist group Donetsk Republic announced that a referendum, on whether Donetsk Oblast should "join the Russian Federation", would take place "no later than 11 May 2014."[61][62] Additionally, the group's leaders have appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region. [61][62][63]

In response to the actions, acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov vowed to launch a major counter-terrorism operation against separatist movements in the country’s eastern regions.[64] Later that day, the SBU office in Donetsk was retaken by SBU Alpha Group.[65][66]

On the morning of 8 April, the 'Patriotic Forces of Donbass', a pro-Kyiv group unrelated to Donetsk Republic organization who proclaimed independence and seized the council[67], issued a statement on its Facebook page against the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals. Their announcement stated that they would quash the potential state's establishment, cancel the referendum, and, on their part, stated that the declaration is illegal.[68] Protesters reportedly gave up some weapons too.[69] Despite this, the Donetsk Republic organization continued to occupy the RSA and declared themselves the legitimate authority, and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader Pavel Gubarev.[70][a] In the afternoon of 8 April, about a thousand people rallied in front of the RSA listening to speeches about the Donetsk People's Republic and to Soviet and Russian music.[71]

Luhansk

As a protest against cancelling the Legislation on languages in Ukraine, the Oblast council of Luhansk Oblast voted to demand giving Russian language the status of second official language, stopping persecution of Berkut fighters, disarming Maidan self-defense units and banning a number of far-right political organizations like Svoboda and UNA-UNSO. In the event that the authorities failed to comply with the demands, the Oblast council reserved itself the "right to ask for help from the brotherly people of the Russian Federation".[72]

The regional state administration building of Luhansk has been occupied multiple times. It was reoccupied on 6 April, along with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) local headquarters, including the SBU’s armoury of over 300 machine guns.[73] Pro-Russian activists declared that they would found a 'Lugansk Parliamentary Republic' on April 8th, 2014. [74]

Kharkiv

Protests have been ongoing in Kharkiv, and the regional state administration building there has been occupied multiple times.

Pro-Russian protesters occupying the Kharkiv regional state administration building unilaterally declared independence from Ukraine as the 'Kharkov People's Republic' on 7 April 2014.[75] [76] By the next day, seventy protesters were arrested and the RSA building was retaken by Ukrainian special forces.[77].

Odessa

Beginning on 1 March, demonstrations have been ongoing in Odessa Oblast. Interfax reported that between 5,000 to 20,000 participated in a pro-Russian demonstration in the city of Odessa on that day.[78]

Rolling demonstrations continued, and on 3 March 2014, 200–500 demonstrators with Russian flags attempted to seize the Odessa Regional State Administration building.[79][80][81] They demanded that a referendum on the establishment of an "Odessa Autonomous Republic" be held.[80]

Protests by date and attendance

Pro-Russian protests

City Peak attendees Date Ref.
Donetsk 10,000+ 1 Mar [82][83]
Mykolayiv 5,000-6,000 2 Mar [84]
Odessa 5,000 1 Mar [85]
Luhansk 5,000 1 Mar [86][87][88][89][87][88]
Kharkiv 3,000-10,000 6 Apr [90][91][92]
Sevastopol 2,000+ 23 Feb [93]
Simferopol 2,000+ 26 Feb [94]
Mariupol 2,000+ 1 Mar [95]
Zaporizhia 1,000-5,000 1 Mar [citation needed]
Dnipropetrovsk 1,000-3,000 1 Mar [96]
Kherson 400 2 Mar [97]
Kerch 200 Feb 24 [98]

Pro-Ukraine counter protests

City Peak attendees Date Ref.
Dnipropetrovsk 40,000 Mar 2 [99]
Kharkiv 25,000 Mar 9 [100]
Sumy 25,000+ Mar 2 [101][102]
Simferopol 20,000-25,000 Feb 23 [103]
Odessa 20,000 Mar 30 [104]
Zaporizhia 25,000+ Mar 2 [105][106]
Donetsk 20,000 Mar 5 [107]
Kherson 15,000 Mar 22 [108][109]
Kryvyi Rih 5,000 Mar 2 [102]
Poltava 3,000 Mar 2 [102]
Kramatorsk 2,000 Mar 30 [110]
Luhansk 1,000 Mar 30 [111]

International reaction

Crimea

For international reactions to the Crimean crisis, see International reactions to the 2014 Crimean crisis.

Eastern and Southern Ukraine

Various international entities have warned all sides to reduce tensions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine.

Supranational organisations

  •  UN – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence that occurred in Eastern Ukraine over the weekend of 14–16 March and urged all parties "to refrain from violence and to commit themselves to de-escalation and inclusive national dialogue in the pursuit of a political and diplomatic solution."[112] Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said that the United States has no doubt that Russians were behind the takeovers of government buildings in eastern Ukraine.[113]

States

  •  Russia – Russia's Foreign Ministry stated in a 8 April 2014 statement on its official website ""We are calling for the immediate cessation of any military preparations, which could lead to civil war".[114] The ministry alleged that what it called "American experts from the private military organization Greystone" disguised as soldiers, as well as militants from the Ukrainian far-right group Right Sector, had joined Ukrainian forces preparing for the crackdown in eastern Ukraine.[114] In an 7 April opinion piece in The Guardian Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov wrote it was the EU and US, and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilising Ukraine ("the EU and US have been trying to compel Ukraine to make a painful choice between east and west, further aggravating internal differences") and that "Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine".[115][116][117]
  •  USA – US Secretary of State John Kerry defined (on 7 April 2014) the conflict in in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol a carefully orchestrated campaign with Russian support.[118][58]

Notable protesters

Pro-Russian activists arrested

On 3 April, one man was arrested and eight more were put under house arrest on suspicion of involvement in the riots in Donetsk on 13 March, which led to the murder of Dmitry Cherniavsky.[125]

On April 5, the SBU arrested a group of 15 people in Luhansk, along with 300 machine guns, one anti-tank grenade launcher, five pistols, Molotov cocktails and a large amount of smooth-bore guns and cold steel weapons. "The group planned to carry out an armed seizure of power in Luhansk region on April 10 through intimidation of civilians using weapons and explosives," the SBU press center told Interfax-Ukraine.[126]

In Kharkiv Antimaidan activist Igor Kromskoho (nicknamed "Topaz") was placed under house arrest on March 29 for his alleged involvement in the 1 March raid on the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building.[127] On April 7, Topaz fled house arrest, cutting off his monitoring bracelet.[128]

Russian citizens arrested

  • V. Makarov, an alleged spy from GRU was arrested in Chernihiv on March 20, 2014[129]
  • Anton Rayevsky, a Russian neo-Nazi, was arrested in Odessa and then deported for inciting ethnic hatred and violence[130]
  • Roman Bannykh, a military intelligence agent of the Russian GRU, was detained on April 5, 2014[131]
  • Negrienko was arrested earlier in March 2014 for attempting to recruit Ukrainian police officers.[131]
  • Oleg Bakhtiyarov, a psychologist and a leader of the extremist Eurasian Youth Union, for allegedly planning to storm the Ukraine's parliament and Cabinet of Ministers buildings in Kiev by force. Bakhtiyarov, working under the guise of a civil society activist in Kiev, had recruited some 200 people for payment of $500 each to assist in storming the buildings and had stockpiled Molotov cocktails and various tools to carry out the provocation.[30] The mastermind also arranged, with some Russian TV channels, to film the incident, which would then be blamed on Ukrainian radicals.[132] Russian writer and the founder of the banned National Bolshevik Party, Eduard Limonov described Bakhtiyarov as “a good guy, a psychiatrist, a commando, a vet of the War of Transnistria and a participant of in the city hall seizure.”[132]
  • Dmitry Kolesnikov, a member of The Other Russia was arrested.[133]
  • Two Russian citizens (born in 1986 and 1987) were arrested in Lviv oblast on April 2, 2014, suspected of plotting to take several Ukrainians hostage, including a presidential candidate. In one of the suspect's cars was found a 200-gram TNT block, detonator, and 16 9×18mm Makarov rounds. Also found was a notebook with details of cars used by the presidential candidate and a timetable of his movements, a tablet with images of the targeted politician, as well as members of Lviv Regional Council, one former MP, photos of houses belonging to them, and plans for gaining access to them.[134]
  • Mariya Koleda, born 1991, arrested on April 9, 2014. Koleda is a Russian citizen who performed intelligence agencies’ tasks to destabilize the situation in the southern regions of Ukraine. On April 7, she took part in fights at the Mykolaiv Oblast Regional State Administration building using a firearm. She claims that she wounded three people. “She also reported on the preparation of two subversive groups (7 persons from Kherson and 6 people from Nova Kakhovka) to participate in riots in Donetsk,” reports the SSU. Koleda is an active member of the pro-Putin “Russia molodaya” (aka “Rosmol”).[135][136]

Latvian citizen arrested

Alexander Dugin

On 29 March, Russian political scientist Aleksandr Dugin, one of the founders of the National Bolshevik Party and known for his ties to Vladimir Putin, appeared in a leaked Skype video conference with Kateryna Gubareva, the wife of Donetsk-based separatist Pavel Gubarev. In the call, he reassured her of Moscow's support and further actions that should be taken by the movement. He also stated all presidential nominees should be considered 'traitors' with only Yanukovych considered legitimate. He also said that separatists should “act in a radical way" and Moscow will later support civil war in Ukraine, saying “The Kremlin is determined to fight for the independence of South-east Ukraine.”[139][140] Following the video's release, a member of Dugin's Eurasian Youth Union (Oleg Bakhtiyarov) was arrested on March 31 for planning terrorist acts in Ukraine.[30]

Gallery

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The group stated they:
    1) do not recognize the Ukrainian authorities;
    2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;
    3) "sent into retirement" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor Serhiy Taruta;
    4) "prescribed" in the May 11 referendum on self-determination Donetsk;
    5) require the issuance of its leader Pavel Gubarev and others are detained separatists;
    6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;
    7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia and other separatist groups (in Kharkiv and Luhansk).[70]

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External links


Template:Anti-government protests in the 21st century