(Украïнський тект явиться пiсля Англiйського тексту: Ukrainian text follows the English).

Primer for Teachers

Discussing the Revolution & Incursion of Ukraine

version 2.0

Borislaw Bilash II

Physics Teacher, Pascack Valley High School, Hillsdale, NJ USA

bbilash@pascack.k12.nj.us 

(click here for an update of this primer)

«Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.»

(Nelson Mandela)

Note:  this is an update of the original document created in December 2013.  Version 1.0 may be found towards the end of this document for history and context.

Sample Learning Objectives

Students will be able to...

1. Explain how social media has influenced the development of democracy worldwide.
2. Create a list of best practices that can be used to evaluate the quality and validity of  social information available from social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the mainstream media and open sources of information such as Wikipedia.
3. The foremost weapon used in the on-going crisis in Ukraine since November is information.  Access to information creates/affect perception.  Identify 3 examples of significant misinformation spread by each “side” of this conflict -- especially, following the ouster of President Yanukovych.  Provide specific examples and evidence supporting your claim.
4. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a protest peaceful.
5. Create a list of benefits and drawbacks to having Ukraine join the European Union, and use your list to express an opinion describing if or not Ukraine should join the European Union.
6. Investigate what role other countries have played (if any) in influencing the association of Ukraine into the European Union and comment on what role countries can or should have in the process.
7. Investigate and discuss the process the Ukrainian parliament took on February 22 to establish new leadership and remove President Yanukovych from office.  
8. Investigate and discuss what role other countries have played (if any) in influencing the direction that the Euromaidan protests have taken.
9. Investigate the international laws and treaties that govern how one country can intervene in the internal affairs of another country and discuss what is occurring in Ukraine within the framework of these laws.
10. What are the consequences to other countries if Crimea is absorbed by Russia?  That is, how is Europe affected?  The country of Georgia?  China?  The USA?
11. How does Putin’s vision of a Trade Union with Ukraine compare to the Soviet Union?
12. President Putin claims that the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 is the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century?  Compare the relations countries had with the Soviet Union/Russia vs the 15 Post-Soviet countries before and after 1991 and comment on the merits of Mr. Putin’s claims.

Timeline of Euromaidan Protests

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Euromaidan)

The revolution that started in Ukraine in November 2013 consists of a number of phases:

Revolution, November - February 28

Phase 1: Nov. 21, 2013: Protesting against government's decision to suspend pursuing European association

• Protesters were primarily university students
• Protesters gathered at Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and remained there 24 hours per day.
• Nov. 30:  At 4 am Berkut riot police attacked a group of protesting students who remained at the Maidan. Video footage of the attack show that the attack was unprovoked.  Both protestors and journalists were beaten -- some quite badly.

Phase 2]: Dec 1- Jan 16: The general public joins students, and the main demand of the protestors shifts to calling for President Yanukovych to resign.

• Rallies of as many as 800,000 were held every Sunday at the Maidan. Many started calling Maidan -- Euromaidan.
• A number of scuffles took place during this phase, which resulted in protestors and journalists being severely beaten.
• The Euromaidan protests were not initiated by any particular political or social organization.  No particular body was in charge -- this was a grassroots effort by many individual groups sharing the same goal -- that President Yanukovych resign.  
• A self-governing body to maintain order and to assist with the needs of the protestors was established based on democratic principles.  Protestors built barricades surrounding Euromaidan, controlled access into the area and began organizing self-defense units.  A university and library was created for those who lived or came regularly to Euromaidan.  
• The 3 opposition leaders (Yatsenyuk, Klitschko & Tyahnybok) began negotiating with Yanukovych, in an effort to de-escalate the crisis, that included a demand for Yanukovych to resign.  Those at Euromaidan did not recognize the opposition as their representatives (they did not give the opposition a mandate) creating a disconnect between protesters and the opposition leaders.  Recognizing this, the opposition leaders would return to Euromaidan after each meeting to report on their negotiations in an effort to obtain approval/support and to get a sense of direction in which to guide the continued negotiations.  
•  “Titushky” (government paid provocateurs) began interfering with protesters, including sabotaging the peaceful nature of the protests by initiating assaults against police and then walking away from the scene.  The role of titushky proved to be a significant problem that protestors had to deal with while trying to maintain the peaceful approach to the protests.  Titushky were paid 200 Hryvnas per day -- equal to one month’s rent.   Those who organized titushky (typically, government/police officials) were paid up to 5000 Hryvnas per day.
• The government organized a pro-government  “Anti-Maidan” movement bringing in paid volunteers from around Ukraine to Kyiv .  Anti-Maidan rallies were also organized in other cities in Ukraine, including Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk.
• Pro-government groups, including foreign media and government controlled media began disseminating various forms of misinformation, including claims of Euromaidan being an anti-semitic movement.  Jewish leaders and newspapers throughout the world strongly reacted to the claim and underscored that not one anti-semitic incident occurred during the 3 month protests.  In fact, Euromaidan consists of a cohesive collection of various ethnic minorities and religions in addition to ethnic Ukrainians.
• Protesters organize a new form of protest called “Automaidan” where the protest was taken to the homes of the President and other government leaders.  
• Titsuhky began roaming central Kyiv and began burning cars, kidnapping people, including journalists and injured protesters from hospitals.  A number of protesters were killed and over a hundred went missing.
• Automaidan began patrolling the streets of Kyiv in an effort to keep titushky at bay and to maintain peace (as the police seemed to abandon their posts).  Automaidan also assisted in shuttling protesters to and from Euromaidan in central Kyiv.
• Social media (Facebook & Twitter) played an increasingly important role in supporting the efforts of the protestors -- like never before.
• Journalists launched their own television stations and independent news services  and began broadcasting live on the Internet (example: Hromadske.tv, Oleksandr Aronets)
• Euromaidan evolved into a movement that could not be ignored.  Euromaidan is now a noun describing the group of protesters and the movement itself.
• Euromaidan asks the EU, the USA and other countries to intervene by imposing sanctions on Ukraine’s government leaders and Ukraine’s oligarchs.  (Ukraine has a number of billionaire oligarchs, including Arkhmetov and Firtash that purportedly control much of the political activity in the country). Euromaidan is frustrated with the slow action (and ineffective words) of world leaders in helping to de-escalate the situation.

Phase 3] Jan. 16, 2014: Anti-civil laws are rammed through Parliament.

• The President’s party -- the Party of Regions ram through a series of anti-protest laws, modelled by those in force in Russia that restrict the freedom of speech and gathering of people.   The laws came with severe penalties -- more severe than those in Russia.

• The opposition leaders continued negotiating with Yanukovych, but the results were generally rejected by Euromaidan which saw the opposition as ineffective and was generally suspicious of the negotiations.

Phase 4]  Jan 19-27:  A peaceful protest turns violent

• Following a rally, a group of protesters -- led by a faction called the Right Sector becomes involved in skirmishes on Hrushevskoho Street, a short walk from the Maidan.  This was the first instance of non-peaceful protests. Protesters use sticks and throw rocks and molotov cocktails.  Skirmishes turn into a battle that lasts nearly a week, during which four protesters are fatally shot by Berkut officers -- including one who was simply holding a flag.  At night, protesters create a protective smokescreen between them and Berkut police by burning tires.  Kyivans bring firewood and tires to the Maidan -- some even travelling by subway.

• Those at Euromaidan tried to distance themselves from the Right Sector.
• Police used stun grenades and shot rubber bullets at protesters indiscriminately (there is a lot of video footage attesting to this).  
• Police target journalists and medics.
• Injured protesters  were being kidnapped from hospitals by titushky and police units.
• Medical units with operating rooms are established at Euromaidan, but these are attacked by riot police.

Phase 5]  Jan 28-Feb 17:  Negotiations continue, deals are made but then agreements are violated by government officials.

• A truce is called.  Prime Minister Azarov resigns and an amnesty law for protestors is introduced -- but the law is contingent on protesters clearing the Maidan -- which in general, they do not agree to do.  As a sign of good will, protestors clear one area of the territory and relinquish control of a number of government buildings they have used as their base since Dec. 1st.
• The opposition leaders continue negotiations and continue seeking support from the Euromaidan.  By this time, the opposition has developed a social contract with Euromaidan: the political process in Ukraine cannot be “business as usual”.  It is understood that in their negotiations the opposition leaders must present the demands of the public and answer to the public.  All “deals” made between the opposition and Yanukovych had to be “approved” by those standing at on the Maidan.  The approval was conducted with cheers or a show of hands -- with as many as 20,000 hands -- similar to how the democratic Ukrainian Cossack governments used to vote in the 1600’s.

Phase 6] Feb 18 - 20 Protesters are killed in two major attacks

• Feb 18: As they walk towards Parliament in a Peaceful March, protesters are attacked by riot police dropping stun grenades and shooting from rooftops.  About ten protesters were killed and dozens were injured.
• Feb 19: A truce is declared.
• Feb 20: Unprovoked, the government initiated a major attack on protesters using snipers -- targeting heads, necks and chests.  101+ protesters died and nearly a 1000 were injured. 215 remain hospitalized --  14 remain in intensive care.  The numbers of deaths continue to climb and 183 protesters remain missing as of March 20.  

Phase 7] Feb 21: The final deal is rejected and Yanukovych flees

• The opposition leaders (Yatsenyuk, Klischko & Tyahnybok) and Yanukovych came to an agreement that would de-escalate the crisis.  The agreement was also signed by the foreign ministers of Poland, France and Germany.  Other foreign government representatives witnessed the talks.  The Russian envoy however would not sign the document.  The agreement called for new Presidential elections (10 months later), a return to the 2004 constitution limiting presidential power and a new amnesty law.  The deal was presented to the Maidan later that evening and was not well-received.  One protester from a self-defense unit threatens an armed offensive if President Yanukovych does not resign by 10 am the next morning.  
• Many of Members of Parliament from Yanukovych’s party resign from the party, disgusted with Yanukovych’s actions.  Some believe that many of these MPs may have resigned simply to protect their own interests.
• Later that evening reports circulated suggesting that Yanukovych had fled.
• Other government officials also flee.
• Government leaders in other regions (Kharkiv, in particular) begin talking about splitting the country in two.  
• A campaign of misinformation begins provoking the public into believing that a split in the country is imminent.  The western press repeats the concern.

Phase 8]  Feb 22-27 : The country moves forward:  A new government is formed & the abuses of the government are uncovered and the heroes are mourned.

• With the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament and the fact that the President and acting Prime Minister are missing, the Parliament proceeds to form an interim government.  All decisions were voted upon with a constitutional majority meaning that not even the President could veto the decisions.  Parliament selects Turchynov as the new speaker, votes to revert to the 2004 constitution, dismisses a number of cabinet ministers and impeaches the President.  Turchynov assumes the role of Acting President in alignment of the 2004 constitution, and new Presidential elections are set for May 25. An interim government  – consisting largely of professionals and civic activists - is named with Maidan’s advance approval. (The  2010 constitution, introduced during Yanukovych’s term shifted the balance of power to the office of the President, including the power to appoint the Prime Minister who leads the Parliament. According to the 2004 constitution, the Prime Minister is voted upon by 450 members of parliament.)
• Journalists find presidential offices and his residence deserted.  Footage from security cameras show Yanukovych fleeing by helicopter the evening of Feb 22 -- roughly during the time that the previously agreed upon deal was being presented to the Maidan.
• World leaders recognize the interim government.  Russia says that this government is not legitimate and endorses Yanukovych.

Incursion by Russia Post-Revolution, Feb. 28-ongoing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_2014_Crimean_crisis 

Phase 9] February 28- March 11:  Dramatic Turning Point: Russia interference and incursion & considerable misinformation campaign stoking fears

• Former President Yanukovych holds a press conference in Russia.  His claims are contrary to everything that has been reported in the world press -- including who is responsible for attacking protesters as well as the explanations of his lavish lifestyle.  He affirms that he is the legitimate president of Ukraine.  Meanwhile most, if not all countries worldwide, except Russia recognize the new interim government in Ukraine.
• Russia begins moving uniformed troops into Crimea (at first without insignias identifying their country) -- in violation of numerous international laws.  It must be noted, however, that Russia does have the right to have military stationed in Crimea according to the Kharkiv accord signed in 1994.  Nevertheless, Russia is exceeding what the accord allows.  World leaders condemn Russia’s actions.  Ukrainian military and citizens in general refrain from engaging Russian soldiers or their contractors (people not in uniform that appear to be working with/for the Russian military).
• Russian new services report news that is contrary to that which is being reported by the rest of the world.  In particular, Russian news is reporting that ethnic Russians are in danger in Crimea.  Fake news reports are widespread on Russian TV.  
• Mass protests are occurring throughout Ukraine and in major cities throughout the world condemning Putin’s incursion into Ukraine.  Ukrainian citizens, including ethnic Russian-Ukrainian citizens however appear to be united in their condemnation of Putin’s incursion.
• A HUGE misinformation campaign has ignited on social media coming out of Russia claiming that Russian citizens in Ukraine are in danger.  Western news reporters on scene in Crimea have not witnessed any threats other than those made by (invading) Russian soldiers towards Ukrainian citizens.  Social media groups associated with Euromaidan have been blocked in Russia.  There have been ads posted on Russian social media grousp (ex: vkontake) looking to hire pro-Putin/Russia protesters to travel to Ukraine.
• World leaders, diplomats and journalists challenge Putin’s assertion that ethnic Russians in Ukraine are under threat.  US secretary of state visits Kyiv in a sign of support of the interim government of Ukraine and offers $1B in US aid.  Russian troops outside the northern and eastern borders of Ukraine end their military exercises and return to their bases.  16,000 invading Russian soldiers remain in Crimea.  Ukrainian  military does not surrender despite the demands made by military leaders in Crimea.  Moscow denies that Ukraine’s military in Crimea was ordered to surrender -- in contrast to eyewitness reports by journalists.  
• Short background on Crimea:  Crimea is an autonomous republic within Ukraine, governed by the Constitution of Crimea in accordance with the laws of Ukraine.  Sergey Aksyonov, asserted control of the Crimean Parliament following a vote in the Crimean parliament that met without a legal quorum on February 27th, the day before Russian troops began their incursion.  Reports on the votes vary; however, the initial announcement indicated that 41 voted for Aksyonov’s appointment as Chairman of the Council (also referred to as a Prime Minister of Crimea).   Prior to the takeover Aksynov’s political support was less than 5%. The interim government of Ukraine does not recognize Aksynov as Chairman.  According to the constitution the position of Chairman is appointed by the Ukrainian government and is then approved by the Crimean parliament. On March 5, Aksyonov begins to limit journalist’s access to information released by the Crimean parliament and only provides information to Russian and government controlled Crimean news agencies.
• Despite the propaganda coming from Russian media services and statements issued by the Kremlin and their diplomates it becomes obvious that Russia’s claims that Russian speakers in Ukraine are at risk are completely unfounded.  World leaders and the UN decry the actions of Russia and accuse Russia of violating a litany of international law as well as numerous agreements. The number of Russian troops and military hardware continue to increase in Crimea and outside the eastern borders of Ukraine. The Ukrainian government responds by not responding with military action, and instead calls for dialogue, as do all other nations.  Military aggression/pressure is clearly one-sided.
•  Note:  Russia has a lease agreement with Ukraine until 2042 that permits them to operate their largest naval base in Sevastopol, Ukraine (in Crimea).  The agreement permits some limited movement of military hardware and personnel outside the base.  The base personnel and their families have freely integrated themselves in Sevastopol without restriction.

Phase 10] March 11 - ongoing:  Separatists in Crimea declares independence and a referendum is announced, Russia annexes Crimea, international community condemns Russia’s actions and begins imposing a series of sanctions

• On March 11 the Aksyonov declares that Crimea is independent and announces that a referendum will be held on March 16th asking Crimeans to choose one of 2 options: 1] Join Russia or 2] Leave Ukraine (declare independance).  Status quo is not an option.  As the date approaches, Kremlin propaganda efforts increase, busloads of Russian tourists are brought into eastern Ukraine to participate in  Pro-Russia (Pro-Putin) rallies, independent observers from the UN and OSCE are chased out of Crimea by Pro-Russia activists, independent media is suppressed in Crimea and replaced with Russian media broadcasts.  The number of Pro-Russia (Pro-Putin) rallies increase while Pro-Ukraine rallies are attacked by Pro-Russia (Pro-Putin) groups in Crimea and in eastern Ukraine.  All along, the US, EU and other nations threaten sanctions against Russia and the separatists in Crimea. Diplomates from the US and EU reach out to Russia insisting they withdraw their troops Crimea -- to no avail.  All nations except Russia declare that they will not recognize the results of the referendum as the format and the way it was organized/hed was in violation of Ukraine’s laws, international laws and international norms.  

• Reports of the actual results of the referendum vary.  Some reports claim that 95% of voters voted in favor of the first choice (Join Russia).  Russia recognizes the results and immediately begins the process of annexing Crimea.
• On March 17th, the US and EU began imposing a series of sanctions targeting individuals in Russia and Ukraine that are in the position to legally stop or have the proven influence to stop Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
• Ukrainian military continue occupy their own bases and remain peaceful -- many showing defiance towards their occupiers.   Russian troops respond by surrounding all Ukrainian military bases in Crimea and eventually storm and overtake all of them.  A number of military officers were kidnapped and subjected to psychological pressure to defect, but none of them did and they were eventually released.  By March 24th 50% of Ukraine’s military defect to the Russian military, while most others leave Crimea and return to the mainland.
• Sanctions imposed on Russia prove to have an effect on squeezing it’s economy by lowering Russia’s markets and devaluing the Ruble.  There are reports that Russian elite have moved up to $70B out of the country.
• On April 6, Kremlin-backed activists storm and occupy government buildings in eastern Ukraine in Kharkiv, Donetsk & Luhansk.  There is strong evidence suggesting that demonstrators were paid up to $500/day to protest on behalf of Kremlin efforts.  Kyiv government responds by sending in Special Forces.  There are numerous instances of arrests of Russian agents -- many armed with machine guns and grenades throughout eastern and southern Ukraine. US and EU leaders continue to warn Putin that further escalation of Russian efforts to destabilize Ukraine will be met with increased sanctions.
• Another weekend of anti-Ukraine activity occurred April 13/14.  (It’s not a coincidence that there is an influx of activity occurs on days that locals and “tourists” from across the border are not working at their regular jobs).  Roughly ten cities in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk saw government buildings  seized by “green men” (the name Ukrainians have given their invaders who are dressed in military garb, but without insignia).  In many instances the Green Men admitted that they were from the Russian army.  The Ukrainian military is slowly gathering outside these areas.  Pro-Russia and pro-Ukraine rallies have clashed with one another.  Journalists reports that the pro-Russia rallies and the activity of Green men appear to be organized by the Russian military and/or Russian Secret Service (FSB).  The Secret Service of Ukraine (SBU) intercepted communication between separatist leader Igor Strelko, a commanding officer of a Russian military intelligence unit and Moscow.  In other areas of eastern Ukraine (further from the border with Russia), pro-Russian activity has been mostly fended off by the local pro-Ukraine population.
• In an effort to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine the EU, US, Ukraine and Russia issued a joint statement on April 17 known as the Geneva Accord.  The accord calls for illegally armed groups to lay down their arms and to vacate seized government buildings and the signatories of the accord will actively support the implementation of this agreement.  
• In an effort to comply with the Geneva Accord, pro-Ukraine groups have vacated all government buildings and dismantled all barricades in Kyiv.  In contrast, pro-Russian terrorists have increased their activity including kidnapping journalists and OSCE observers and seizing more buildings.  Russia has been criticized for not taking an active role in de-escalating the situation; instead, evidence has appeared to show that Russia is actually fueling the unrest in eastern Ukraine.  Numerous Russian secret service agents connected to the terrorism have been arrested in Ukraine.  In an effort to quell the terrorists’ activity, the Ukrainian government initiated a series of anti-terrorism operations in eastern Ukraine in an effort to stabilize the area and take back government buildings.  Although the Russian military has not overtly invaded Ukraine, western government leaders and analysts believe that Putin is doing everything possible to derail or discredit the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine which is taking place on May 25th.

Fact, Fiction or Misinformation?

STUDENTS, PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS: As you learn about EuroMaidan and Russia's Annexation of Crimea do your best to set aside any predeterminations (i.e.: bias) you may have and read the references included in this primer with an open mind.  You may even discover what you thought was always true is in fact fiction.  Perhaps the fiction is as a result of deliberate misinformation -- so take caution, as you read.  As a student in a democratic society it is your responsibility to learn the truth.  Try to understand everyone's point of view, but simultaneously you must be cautious that a point of view may be built upon intentional misinformation that is designed to further a cause.  Democracy requires that everyone be heard,  but there is also an expectation that a viewpoint is based on honest presentation of facts.  Always verify the integrity and political viewpoint of the source so that you can form your own informed opinions.  The references below are offered for your consideration for your learning.     bb2

Recommended sources of news & analysis in English:

1. Facebook:  Euromaidan in English:  https://www.facebook.com/EnglishMaidan
2. Facebook: Euromaidanpr:  https://www.facebook.com/euromaidanpr
3. FB: EuroMaydan (English & Ukrainian): https://www.facebook.com/EuroMaydan 
4. Kyiv Post:  www.Kyivpost.com 
5. *BBC:  www.bbc.com
6. *New York Times: international.nytimes.com 
7. *The Globe and Mail: www.theglobeandmail.com 
8. *Forbes magazine:  www.forbes.com 
9. *Washington Post: www.washintonpost.com 

Online information

1. Wikipedia is highly recommended as the entries have summarized the facts quite well.  Anything controversial is debated in the talk page.  It is recommend that the talk page be review also.  

1. Timeline of Euromaidan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Euromaidan 
2. **Euromaidan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromaidan 

** the latter has been recently (Feb 20) tagged as questioning the neutrality of the post.  Read the discussion on the Talk Page and judge the issue of neutrality for yourself.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Euromaidan#Article_Neutrality 

2. Euromaidanpr Translations is a service sponsored by volunteers that support the efforts of Euromaidan protesters.  The service provides English language translations of media articles, statements and other documents related to the Euromaidan protests.

• Euromaidanpr Translations:  http://euromaidanpr.wordpress.com/category/languages/english/

3. Professor Mychailo Wynnyckyj’s Updates

Professor of Sociology at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine

https://www.facebook.com/mychailo.wynnyckyj/notes 

4. Professor Alexander Motyl’s Articles & Blog

Professor of Political Science -- Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA

http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/users/alexander-j-motyl 

5. US Embassy Facebook page

 https://www.facebook.com/usdos.ukraine

6. Statements of the US Government

http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements.html 

7. Ukraine’s Department of Foreign Affairs Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/UkraineMFA

8. Bablylon #13 Youtube Channel

Documenting the crisis in Ukraine since the early days of the protests

Babylon #13 iYoutube Channel 

9. Euromaidan Youtube Channel

English captioned videos of crisis in Ukraine

Euromaidanpr Youtube Channel

Select Media Related to the Euromaidan Revolution, 2.0

(there are many more articles listed in Version 1 towards the end of this document)

1. What initiated the Euromaidan protests (11/28/13)
2. Berkut Police attacking protesters on Nov 30 and a new angle of protest evolves (caution the video is graphic) (12/1/13)
3. Why Ukraine matters (12/1/13)
4. Government attacks on protesters & journalists increase (12/1/13)
5. Putin miscalculated the protests in Ukraine (12/2/13)
6. OpEd: Ukraine’s future in peril under Yanukovych (12/2/13)
7. OpEd: Russia is too weak to stop Ukraine from joining EU -- but it will try (12/2/13)
8. OpEd: Beware of Russia’s power play (12/2/13)
9. Social media is shaping Ukraine’s protests (12/3/13)
10. Economic troubles that lead to the protests in Ukraine (12/3/13)
11. OpEd Cartoon: Russian gas or European Democracy?  (12/3/13)
12. Joining the EU is a way out for Ukraine from the yoke of Moscow and corruption (12/5/13)
13. Protesters determined to keep their protest dignified and a peaceful one  (12/7/13)
14. Aerial view of crowd gathered at the December 8th rally at the maidan (12/8/13)
15. Russian media reports distort the truth of the Euromaidan protests (12/9/13)
16. Editorial: Protests should end with negotiations (12/10/13)
17. Russia installs a new media chief (propagandist) (12/10/13)
18. Ukraine is being reborn as a nation (12/12/13)
19. Ukraine crisis echoes a new Cold War (12/12/13)
20. Why the west needs to wake up to Putin’s ambitions (12/12/13)
21. US shamefully slights Ukraine (12/15/13)
22. Putin’s moves are not isolated events (12/16/13)
23. Protests have pushed Ukraine to a tipping point (12/16/13)
24. Peaceful protests contrast vicious attacks of government police  (12/17/13)
25. OpEd: Help Ukrainians stand up for western values (12/18/14)
26. We should have been paying attention to Ukraine (12/20/13)
27. OpEd: How Europe can help Kyiv (12/24/13)
28. Footage from journalist Tatiania Chronovol’s Car-Cam as she is driven off the road prior to her beating on Dec 25 (12/26/13)
29. OpEd: Europe must learn to play hardball with Putin (12/26/13)
30. Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity (12/27/13)
31. Policeman aids “titushky” (government-hired thugs) to hide weapon (1/12/14)
32. Ukraine’s New Dictatorship (1/18/14)
33. Ukrainian man pleas for world to help (1/19/14)
34. Berkut police destroyed Red Cross station (1/19/14)
35. Berkut police make a protester walk naked in sub freezing weather.  Note the welts on his body.  (Caution: NUDITY) (1/23/14)
36. Dmytro Bulatov, Automaidan leader was held for a week and had his face slashed and his ear cut off.  His hands were also nailed to a door. (1/30/14)
37. Jewish girl on EuroMaidan discusses how all nationalities have banded together against Yanukovych’s leadership (1/31/14)
38. NYT OpEd: Don’t Let Putin Grab Ukraine (2/3/14)
39. Meet the hard working Ukrainians of Euromaidan (2/7/14)
40. Ukrainian Woman asks the world to help: “I am Ukrainian” (video went viral) (2/10/14)
41. European Commissioner for Human Rights comments on the use of titushky (2/10/14)
42. Video of volunteers who came to the Maidan to help (click on English subtitles) (2/12/14)
43. Berkut police stop car and trash it - unprovoked (2/14/14)
44. Brutal attacks on protesters on Feb 18 (2/18/14)
45. Snipers preparing to attack protesters on Feb 20 (2/20/14) (caution: disturbing video)
46. Snipers shoot protesters “armed” with shields and night sticks on Feb 20   (2/20/14) (VERY graphic)
47. Snipers shooting protesters on Feb 20 (3/20/14) (VERY graphic)
48. Revolution up close on February 18-20 (2/22/14)
49. Protester gives ultimatum to Yanukovych to resign Feb 21 (click on English Subtitles)
50. Security cameras Yanukovych fleeing his estate on Feb 21
51. Video collection of “Leninopad” across Ukraine (Leninopad is a coined word meaning “raining Lenins”)  (2/21/14)
52. Statement of Yanukovych after his flight from Ukraine (2/22/14)
53. The vote in parliament to remove yanukovych as President (2/22/14)
54. Why is Ukraine in turmoil -- a summary (2/23/14)
55. Supporters of Euromaidan in Odessa (2/24/14)
56. Anti-Putin / Pro-unity of Ukraine rally in Dnipropetrovsk (3/2/14)
57. CNN OpEd: What the West Owes Ukraine (2/24/14)
58. Yanukovych’s lavish lifestyle & possessions were paid for by public funds (2/24/14)
59. Jewish Musicians at Euromaidan (2/27/14)
60. How Ukraine’s Parliament Brought Down Yanukovych (3/2/14)
61. Evidence of Yanukovych connection to journalist Chronovol’s attack & beating (3/4/14)
62. NJ’s Photo-journalist Damian Kolody Interviewed on FOX News (3/6/14)
63. A Walk Through the Maidan during the day of March 7, 2014 (3/7/14)
64. A Walk Through the maidan during the night of March 6, 2014 (3/7/14)
65. Maxim Eristavi Explains the Euromaidan Movement & Crimea Crisis  (3/7/14)
66. Documentary about Euromaidan with English subtitles (3/9/14)
67. 250 are still missing from Euromaidan.  Where are they?  (3/10/14)
68. Video: “There is no extremism nor hostility towards Russians from Ukrainians” (3/11/14)
69. 360 degree Virtual Tour of Yanukovych’s Estate --  built with Embezzled Funds (3/11/14)
70. The Jewish Division of Ukraine’s Heaven’s Hundred (3/11/14)
71. Surveillance video from Yanukovych estate showing people moving out his possessions 2:00 am on Feb 22.  (3/12/14)
72. 1 billion Hryvnia ($100M) stolen from Ukraine’s coffers to fund titushky suppressing Euromaidan (3/24/14)
73. Insight into Ukraine’s Politics prior to Yanukovych’s flight from Ukraine & Crimean take-over (3/24/14)
74. Automaidan blacklist found among Yanukovych papers (3/26/14)
75. Poster in Moscow’s subway station compared to one from Nazi Germany from the 1930’s (3/28/14)
76. Photo evidence showing thst Russian-trained sniper killed people at the Midan on February 20th (3/29/14)
77. Documentation showing how Yanukovych spent the public’s money (4/2/14)
78. The first police snipers from Feb 18-20 have been arrested; 12 identified (4/3/14)
79. Kidnapped journalist's body found with severed head (4/7/14)
80. Mustafa Nayem describes how Euromaidan began (4/4/14)
81. The Euromaidan Revolution begins to bear fruit (4/25/14)
82. International court considers prosecuting Yanukovych for crimes against humanity (4/26/14)

Twitter feeds

Twitter feeds can provide an overwhelming amount of information, and anyone can contribute to a hashtag (such as #euromaidan) -- including people who have unscrupulous agendas, so it is important to consider the source of information when reading information posted on twitter.  (Upon Russia’s incursion #euromaidan has been flooded with anti-Ukrainian posts -- please make informed interpretations).  

Here are a few feeds that have proven reliable and honest (ie: no intentional misinformation):

1. Christopher Miller (editor of Kyiv Post):  https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM 
2. Maxim Eristavi (journalist): https://twitter.com/MaximEristavi 
3. Myroslava Petsa (correspondent @channel5)  https://twitter.com/myroslavapetsa 
4. Max Seddon (jounalist) https://twitter.com/maxseddon 
5. Kateryna Kruk (journalist): https://twitter.com/Kateryna_Kruk 
6. Anders Ostlund (CEO of Fryday.net) https://twitter.com/andersostlund 
7. Katya Gorchynskaya (journalist): https://twitter.com/kgorchinskaya
8. EuromaidanPR (Headquarters of Euromaidan): https://twitter.com/euromaidanpr
9. Grasswire Fact Check (countering Pro-Putin & Anti-Ukraine propaganda with facts): https://twitter.com/grasswirefacts 

Select Tweets (beginning 3/4/14)

1. Kerry Honors those who died at Euromaidan (3/4/14)
2. Donetsk Pro-Ukraine Rally 1 (3/5/14)
3. Donetsk Pro-Ukraine Rally 2 (3/5/14)
4. HUGE Ukrainian Flag in Donetsk (3/5/14)
5. HUGE Ukrainian Flag in Donetsk 2 (3/5/14)
6. Pro-Putin/Russia Military Surround Crimean Parliament Building (3/6/14)
7. English Translation of the question to be asked on the March 16th referendum in Crimea (3/6/14)
8. Photo of “self defence” units patrolling Crimea appear to have professional training, outfits and gear (3/6/14)
9. Syrians in support of Ukraine (3/7/14)
10. OSCE Observers refused entry into Crimea (3/7/14)
11. Pro-Ukraine Rally in Crimea chanting “Glory to the Ukrainian Army” outside base (3/8/14)
12. Crimean Tartars organize their own self-defence units to protect themselves from Putin’s military (3/8/14)
13. Russian military convoy from Kerch to Simferepol (3/8/14)
14. Billboard in Crimea reads March 16 We Choose.  Depicts swastika on left and Russian flag colors on right (3/10/14)
15. People in Odesa say they will never cede to Russia (3/10/14)
16. Difference between Ukraine’s parliament (“Rada”) and Russia’s parliament (“Duma”)  (3/14/14)
17. Crimea referendum: Choose Russia or Russia (3/16/14)
18. Aksyonov got 4% of vote last year and now leads Crimean Parliament behind the barrel of a gun (3/18/14)
19. Why isn’t Yanukovych protesting the annexation of Crimea? (3/20/14)
20. Police raid former energy minister’s home and find 42 kilos of gold and $2.8M in cash. His salary was $15k. (3/22/14)
21. How stores in Ukraine boycott goods from Russia (3/23/14)
22. Russia’s economy is taking a serious hit (3/23/14)
23. Latest joke in Odessa (3/25/14)
24. “I support Ukraine” (3/26/14)
25. 88% Russian support Russia’s take-over of Crimea AND 88% obtain news from Russian state-owned TV  (3/27/14)
26. 20 military helicopters next to Ukraine’s border (3/27/14)
27. Jigsaw activists piece together documents shredded by Yanukovych government (4/2/14)
28. Pro-Putin/Russia activists loot government buildings for personal gain (4/9/14)
29. 73% of tweets supporting separatists in Ukraine originate in Russia (4/10/14)
30. Brzezinski - "congratulations to Putin: No one has ever succeeded until now in turning 40 or so million Ukrainians into anti-Russians!" (4/10/14)
31. Here’s a quote from a local in eastern Ukraine that sums up their fear (4/15/14)
32. Ukraine’s forces muster outside of regions held by Russian agents (AKA Separatists”) (4/15/15)
33. Odesa Pro-Ukraine rally comes out strong on April 17 (4/17/14)

Russia’s incursion into Crimea

1. The Role of Propaganda   (3/1/14)
2. Why Putin’s Actions Don’t make Sense  (3/2/14)
3. Putin’s Incursion into Ukraine (3/2/14)
4. How Russia’s State Broadcaster Covers Events in Ukraine (3/2/14)
5. How Ukraine’s Parliament Brought Down Yanukovych (3/2/14)
6. Russia Blocks Internet Sources Related to Protests in Ukraine (3/3/14)
7. Analysis: 3 Possible Scenarios for Crimea and Ukraine? (3/3/14)
8. Ukrainian Experts: Russia’s Invasion was years in the making  (3/3/14)
9. Analysis by David Remnick, editor New Yorker  (3/3/14)
10. 4 Reasons Why Putin is Losing in Ukraine (3/3/14)
11. Putin’s hand Seen in Pro-Russia Protest (3/3/14)
12. Putin is Losing and that’s a Big Problem (3/3/14)
13. Power of Social Media: Trend Map of Ukraine overshadows Oscars  (3/3/14)
14. Brzezinski OpEd: Putin’s aggression in Ukraine needs a response (3/4/14)
15. “Tourists” from Russia Stir Protest (3/4/14)
16. “You Have to Be Really Careful About Ukraine’s Facts”  (3/4/14)
17. Putin’s Myth of a Divided Ukraine (3/4/14)
18. Unarmed Ukrainian Soldiers Confront Heavily Armed Russian Troops (3/4/14)
19. BBC Analysis: Patriotic surge in Ukraine following Russian invasion (00:00-8:00 & 13:00 - 18:00  (3/4/14)
20. 14 Insane Moments From RT’s Coverage Of The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine (3/4/14)
21. Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Russia: Russian claims of violence in Ukraine are 'complete fantasy'  (3/4/14)
22. Ukraine Chief Rabbi Accuses Russia of Anti-Semitic 'Provocations' in Crimea (3/4/14)
23.  Video: CNN’s Cooper: No Evidence of Attacks on Russian Speakers (3/4/14)
24. A Divided Ukraine? -- Think Again (3/4/14)
25. Who is Putin Protecting from Whom in Ukraine? (3/4/14)
26. Putin disagrees with the west and intends to turn up the heat (3/4/14)
27. Obama ridicules Putin’s reasons for invading Ukraine (3/4/14)
28. Amanpour: Ukraine invites observers to rebuff Putin ‘neo-Nazi’ and ‘anti-Semite’ claims  (3/4/14)
29. Cyberattacks rise during crisis in Ukraine (3/4/14)
30. How Realists Misjudged Ukraine (3/4/14)
31. How The Western Press Is Getting It Terribly Wrong In Ukraine (3/4/14)
32. Social Media Sites Encouraging Russian mean to cross Border to offer “Moral Support” (3/5/14)
33. Russia can be forced out of Crimea with the combination of financial sanctions plus straightforward hard diplomacy (3/5/14)
34. Transcript of Putin’s Press Conference with Invited Journalists (3/5/14)
35. EU to provide $15B in loans and grants to Ukraine (3/5/14)
36. Top Ten Myths & Lies Used by Kremlin to Justify Incursion (3/5/14)
37. East-West-South Ukraine are not Willing to Split (3/5/14)
38. Summary of March 5 (3/5/14)
39. NYT Editorial of March 4: A Rational Response to Crisis (3/5/14)
40. Video: Crimean Tatars bring food to Ukrainian Troops trapped in their Base (3/5/14)
41. NBC: Who’s on Putin’s American payroll?  (3/5/14)
42. Yatsenyuk: Crimea will remain in Ukraine (3/5/14)
43. Video of APs interview with Prime Minister Yatsenyuk (3/5/14)
44. Reporters Without Borders Condemns Censorship & Intimidation by Pro-Putin Forces in Crimea (3/5/14)
45. Anders Aslund: There is Leverage Against Russia (3/5/14)
46. Another Russia Today Newscaster Speaks Out -- This one resigns  (3/5/14)
47. Video: Walking Through the “Nazis” at Euromaidan (note: propaganda from Pro-Putin and Pro-Yanukovych groups have regularly painted  the Euromaidan protesters as Nazi.  Have a look at this video and judge for yourself).  (3/5/14)
48. Russian TV Used an Actress to Portray Pro-Yanukovych Supporter in Multiple costumes and Multiple Cities in Ukraine  (3/5/14)
49. US Embassy in Moscow: Setting the Record Straight (3/5/14)
50. Video: Soldier patrolling Ukrainian Territory admits that he is from the Russian Military (3/5/14)
51. If Russia swallows Ukraine, the European system is finished (3/5/14)
52. Ukraine's Chief Rabbi Refutes Putin's Anti-Semitic Charges (3/6/14)
53. News as reported in the English edition of the Voice of Russia -- a contrast to other news services (Note: Voice of America, Russia Today and RIA Novosti are among the news agencies that are fully owned/controlled by the Russian government. Government news agencies are under control of Dmitry Kiselyov -- recognized as a specialist in propaganda)  (3/6/14)
54. VIDEO: Whitehouse Issues Executive Order Imposing Sanctions on Those who Threaten Ukraine’s Sovereignty (3/6/14)
55. Video: Russian “tourist”-provocateurs  (not residents nor citizens of Ukraine) hoist Russian Flags in Luhansk, Ukraine (3/6/14)
56. Who are the Tartar in Crimea?  (3/6/14)
57. English Translation of the question to be asked on the March 16th referendum in Crimea (3/6/14)
58. OpEd from former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (3/6/14)
59. With Pro-Russian Occupiers Reporters in Crimea Now Fear for their Lives (3/6/14)
60. Recommendations for immediate, fundamental change that Ukraine deserves (3/6/12)
61. Kidnapped by the Kremlin (3/6/14)
62. “Nearly everyone in Crimea has been brainwashed” (3/6/14)
63. What do the flags held during protests mean?  (3/6/14)
64. Obama: the March 16 referendum in Crimea is a violation of international law (3/6/14)
65. China takes a rare stance against Russia and sides with the rest of the world (3/6/14)
66. The shared history between Ukraine and Russia explained (3/7/14)
67. How are other former-Soviet countries reacting to events in Crimea? (3/7/14)
68. Russia is accused of stoking the fire by encouraging the March 16 referendum, viewed by world leaders as being illegal (3/7/14)
69. Putin’s Occupation of Crimea Echos Hitler (3/7/14)
70. Freedom of Information at Risk in Crimea (3/7/14)
71. Here’s a copy of the March 16th Referendum Ballot with Explanation (3/7/14)
72. “Western Media: Don’t Distort the Information” (3/7/14)
73. Video: Students in Ukraine released a video:  “Stop Putin Now!!”  (3/7/14)
74. “The world wants more from Obama”  (3/7/14)
75. 21 Times Journalists Confirm Troops are Russian (3/7/14)
76. Video: Ethnic Russian in Ukraine explain why they are protesting AGAINST Putin (3/7/14)
77. Pro-Putin forces believed to be tagging the homes of Crimean Tartars with “X” (3/7/14)
78. Russia’s Presentation of Crimean History is Distorted  (3/7/14)
79. Cyber War Hits Ukraine (3/7/14)
80. A Little Humor (typical Ukrainian style)…  “Odessa Calls Putin”  (3/7/14)
81. Russia has already lost the War (3/7/14)
82. Why Russia’s move on Crimea Fails Legal Tests (3/7/14)
83. Video: Who is the “Right Sector” -- an interview with their press secretary.  (3/8/14)
84. Russia’s Information Warriors are on the March (3/8/14)
85. Crimea's new leader, a man with a murky past (3/8/14)
86. Crimea: Putin vs Reality (3/8/14)
87. Documentary: Russian Invasion of Crimea - Part 1: March 3 (3/8/14)
88. Documentary: Russian Invasion of Crimea - Part 2: March 4 (3/8/14)
89. Documentary: Russian Invasion of Crimea - Part 3: March 6 (3/8/14)
90. Documentary: Russian Invasion of Crimea - Part 4: March 7: (3/8/14)
91. 10k Russians hold their own anti-Putin Protest (3/9/14)
92. Putin Hasn't Lost Touch With 'His' Reality. Welcome To KGB Russia (3/9/14)
93. Pro-Putin Propaganda video.  (the video depicts a person dressed in a Ukrainian military uniform telling viewers not to pay attention to the lies on channel 5 -- the Kyiv-based station long known for objective news reports.  The problem with this video is that 1] the high rank insignia on the hat does not match the low rank insignia on the uniform and 2] the weapon is not the type used by the Ukrainian military, but standard issue to the Russian military.  So -- who is this person in the video?)  (3/9/14)
94. Video taken by Ukrainian border showing  Russian troop encampments along border separating Crimean peninsula from the mainland (3/9/14)
95. Voter Fraud in Crimean Parliament (3/9/14)
96. Russia Today (“RT”) is one of the most watched Networks on Youtube (note: RT is Russia’s state-run news network) (3/10/14)
97. Propaganda war: In Simferopol Ukrainian channels removed and replaced with channels broadcasted from Russia only.  (3/10/14)
98. Changes in Crimea should not be done under the barrel of a gun (3/10/14)
99. Why should we care about Crimea?  (3/10/14)
100. Putin’s gives the West a new set of rules (3/10/14)
101. Retired Military Officers work to dispel propaganda. Provide facts (3/10/14)
102. Crimean people confront Russian soldier and ask him to explain his presence in Crimea (click on “CC” to reveal English subtitles) (3/10/14)
103. Crimean Tartars fear Russian Rule (3/10/14)
104. A Sobering Analysis: What may happen next (3/10/14)
105. Crimean MP: “There was no quorum” during March 6 vote (3/10/14)
106. Video: Crimean rally against Russian Military Occupation (3/10/14)
107. Yanukovych holds his second press conference from Russia (3/11/14)
108. British PM Cameron’s statement: Russia’s Action are Indefensible (3/11/14)
109. History of Ukraine - Mythbusting Russia’s long misinformation war (3/11/14)
110. As Obama Vacations, Russian troops in Crimea increase to 19,000 (3/11/14)
111. Video: Russians on the Maidan: “There is no extremism nor hostility towards Russians from Ukrainians” (3/11/14)
112. EU tells Russia: Start Ukraine talks or face sanctions (3/11/14)
113. The Putin Problem (3/11/14)
114. Putin and Cronies Only Fear Targeted Sanctions (3/11/14)
115. US House of Rep. Pass Resolution 499 condemning Russia’s action (3/11/14)
116. Putin Can’t Stop (3/12/14)
117. Kyiv Rabbi: Nationalism is the love of one’s nation, while Nazism is the hatred of other nations (3/12/14)
118. State Dept. Facts on Increased U.S. Cooperation with Ukraine (3/13/14)
119. Don't believe the Russian propaganda about Ukraine's 'fascist' protesters (3/13/14)
120. Kremlin’s version versus reports from scores of international news media (3/14/14)
121. Everything you need to know about Ukraine Crisis in 3 minutes (3/16/14)
122. Invasion of Crimea -- A Summary (3/18/14)
123. Interview with Dmytro Yarosh - leader of Right Sector (3/22/14)
124. Euromaidan revolution would not have happened if not for social media (3/23/14)
125. Ukrainian Marines have not given up their posts in Crimea (3/22/14)
126. Ukrainian military block Russian soldiers from taking down Ukrainian flag on base in Crimea (3/24/14)
127. Putin finally admits sending troops into Crimea (4/17/14)

Select Media Related to Post Crimea Annexation by Russia

1. US Imposed More Sanctions on Russia following Crimea Referendum (3/17/14)
2. Freedom in Russian Exists Only in Ukraine (3/17/14)
3. Sanctions Imposed by US (3/17/14)
4. Understanding Crimea Crisis in 22 Steps (3/18/14)
5. Interview with US Ambassador to Ukraine (3/18/14)
6. Russian Deputy Laughs at US Sanctions (3/18/14)
7. Video of unidentified gunmen at scene where Ukrainian soldier was killed (3/19/14)
8. US warns Russia of additional sanctions (3/19/14)
9. Putin’s Tools of Sabotage (3/19/14)
10. Scope and flexibility of US Sanctions Imposed on Russia & Crimean Separatists (3/19/14)
11. Russia may now invade Estonia under the same pretext as Crimea (3/19/14)
12. Ukraine’s military and their families relocate from Crimea to mainland Ukraine (3/19/14)
13. OpEd: Present sanctions are meaningless -- go after Russia’s Oligarchs instead (3/20/14)
14. Putin’s speech (Rossiiskii vs Ruskii) suggests he may take Kyiv (3/20/14)
15. Putin’s Anti-Ukraine Propaganda is used to support sending International observers into Ukraine (3/20/14)
16. OpEd: Putin’s grab of Crimea may unite US in its foreign policy (3/20/14)
17. OpEd: Putin began with a lie and then went downhill (3/20/14)
18. Crimean Tartars fear that Russia will (again) deport them from their indigenous land (3/20/14)
19. Analysis: Why is Putin doing what he is doing?  (3/20/14)
20. US film crews escapes Pro-Putin/Russian mob (3/20/14)
21. US ready to sanction key sectors of Russian economy (3/21/14)
22. Yatsenyuk signs long awaited association agreement with EU that Yanukovych did not sign (3/21/14)
23. OpEd: Obama’s response to Putin is pathetic (3/21/14)
24. The crisis in Crimea/Ukraine has very deep roots (3/21/14)
25. EU Support and the connection to Russian gas (3/21/14)
26. Analysis: The self-proclaimed “experts” on Ukraine (3/21/14)
27. Putin’s chief propagandists fuming over sanctions.  (3/22/14)
28. Organized crime helped Putin grab Crimea (3/23/14)
29. Insight into Ukraine’s Politics prior to Yanukovych’s flight from Ukraine & Crimean take-over (3/24/14)
30. Voting fraud was rampant in the Crimean referendum (3/2/14)
31. Only 15% of Crimea Voted for Annexation (5/5/14)

Russian-State-Sponsored Terrorism in Ukraine

1. Security Service of Ukraine arrest armed Russian Special Forces in Odessa (3/23/14)
2. OpEd: The West should arm Ukraine (3/23/14)
3. US can offer military assistance without putting boots on the ground (3/23/14)
4. Only 15% of young people care about Russia’s take-over of another country; more interested in disappearance of plane (3/24/14)
5. The Hague warns Russia (3/24/14)
6. Andrei Kozalev (first post-Soviet  foreign minister): Crimea is Putin’s Opening Move (3/24/14)
7. OpEd: Story of the Century (3/25/14)
8. More Russian Special Forces captured in Ukraine (3/25/14)
9. OSCE sends mission to Ukraine (3/26/14)
10. Putin wants to recreate the Soviet Union (3/26/14)
11. Cyberwar is significant coming out of Moscow (3/27/14)
12. Kremlin provides directives to Russian media on how to present “news” about Ukraine (3/28/14)
13. Is Putin financing far-right groups in EU?  (4/1/14)
14. How provocation & propaganda are used to spread lies (4/2/14)
15. Ukraine’s Jews Dismiss Claims of Anti-Semitism (4/8/14)
16. Kharkiv resident describes his beating by Pro-Russian tourist-protesters (4/11/14)
17. Pro-Russian activists in eastern Ukraine carry limited edition sniper rifles only available to Russian military (4/12/14)
18. Russian “War Tourists” organizing the pro-Russian protests in eastern Ukraine (4/12/14)
19. UN says that claims that Ethnic Russians are under attack are false (4/15/14)
20. Forbes Magazine counters Putin’s Lies with Hard Evidence (4/15/14)
21. Let’s be clear -- Russia is exporting terrorism into Ukraine (4/15/14)
22. Russian government quick to bend the truth about Ukraine (4/16/14)
23. Video: Confirmation of Russian Army in charge of separatists/terrorists (4/16/14)
24. US State Dept. Releases photos showing Russia has it’s Special Forces in Ukraine (4/21/14)
25. Anti-Semetic Leaflets Distributed by Pro-Russian groups in eastern Ukraine (4/22/14)
26. The Truth About those Anti-Semetic Flyers in Donetsk (4/22/14)
27. Ukraine Captured 3 Russian Military Intelligence Officers & Estimates 100 More Organizing Unrest in eastern Ukraine (4/22/14)
28.  Russian-Backed Terrorists Kill Believed to have Tortured & Killed Politician (4/22/14)
29. Moscow’s Fictitious Civil War in Ukraine (4/23/14)
30. Putin’s Men Seize Journalists (4/23/14)
31. Photos Link Terrorists in Ukraine to Russian Special Forces (4/23/14)
32. Putin creates a new generation of Kremlin faux “freedom fighters” (4/25/14)
33. Result of Putin’s propaganda:  BBC reporter speaks with residents in eastern Ukraine who believe that western Ukraine and Kyiv is overrun with fascists (4/26/14)
34. Hostages want to go home (4/27/14)
35. Kidnappings Undermine Legitimacy of Separatists (4/28/14)
36. Deadliest Day in Ukraine since February (5/2/14)
37. Audio evidence shows Russia Coordinating Kidnapping of OSCE observers (5/3/14)
38. The Best Antidote to Putin’s Propaganda is Accurate Information (5/4/14)
39. What Happened in Odesa on May 2nd -- a step-by-step account (5/4/14)
40. Ukrainians favor unity, not Russia (5/8/14)
41. Young Ukrainians are optimistic about future (5/8/14)
42. No Frills Referendum in eastern Ukraine Fraught with Perils (5/9/14)
43. What Putin Cannot Control (5/13/14)
44. Russia’s Dirty Work in Ukraine (5/13/14)
45. Referendum was Severely Flawed (5/13/14)
46. Referendum “results” suggests that lines must have been 30 miles long (3/14/14)
47. Putin is hanging himself by his own rope (5/16/14)

Sanctions Against Russia

1. Brooklyn Nets owner Russian billionaire Porkhorov moving team headquarters to Moscow to avoid sanctions (3/24/14)
2. Russia’s economy is taking a serious hit (3/23/14)
3. Hitting Putin where he’ll feel it (3/28/14)
4. First casualty of  sanctions against Russia (3/28/14)
5. Russia’s markets react to sanctions -- not a good forecast (3/31/14)
6. Russia reacts by sharply increasing gas price sold to Ukraine (4/1/14)
7. How sanctions counter Russia’s aggression (4/1/14)
8. “Russia’s economy is going to crap” (4/1/14)
9. Globalization buffers Putin against the effects of sanctions (4/3/14)
10. Editorial: Tougher sanctions needed (4/9/14)
11. Latest sanctions imposed on Crimean officials (4/12/14)
12. Obama Administration Preps New Sanctions Against Russia (4/13/14)
13. Next round of sanction to target individual Russian business leaders (4/15/14)
14. EU increasing sanctions (4/15/14)
15. Russian economy takes a nosedive as Russian terrorist invade Ukraine (4/16/14)
16. US will acts within days if Russia does not quell its activity in eastern Ukraine (4/21/14)
17. Ukraine may be Putin’s Undoing (4/22/14)
18. Russia Is in No Economic Shape to Fight a War (4/22/14)
19. Here’s Why EU Won’t Impose Tough Sanctions (4/23/14)
20. Russia’s Economy is Screwed (Up) (4/25/14)
21. For Russia: Negatives far outweigh positives Invasion of Ukraine (4/26/14)
22. Where is Putin’s Secret Fortune?  We may find out soon enough.  (4/27/14)
23. Additional Sanctions Imposed on April 28 (4/28/14)
24. How US Sanctions will Destroy Putin (4/28/14)
25. Sanctions Against Russia Raise Concern with Western Oil Companies (4/29/14)
26. Editorial: Not Getting Through to Putin (4/30/14)
27. Obama’s aides ask executives to skip Putin’s Forum (5/6/14)
28. 5th Round of Sanctions Ready to be Imposed (5/8/14)
29. Foreign Trade with Russia falls 10% (5/15/14)

International Support of Ukraine (#UnitedforUkraine)

1. Israel Supports Ukraine (video) (3/27/14)
2. President Obama (3/27/14)
3. US Dept of State (3/28/14)
4. Michelle Kwan (3/28/14)
5. Students in Kyiv School #155 deliver letters to US Ambassador asking for international support  (3/28/14)
6. Video of supporters from across the globe (3/29/14)
7. Video showing Pro-Ukraine supporters (including children) arrested by police (4/12/14)
8. US Announces $50M in Aid to Ukraine (4/22/14)
9. US Offers Spam While Russia Sends in Special Forces (5/3/14)

Putin’s Further Moves - now into Eastern Ukrine

1. Only 15% of young people care about Russia’s take-over of another country; more interested in disappearance of plane (3/24/14)
2. Andrei Kozalev (first post-Soviet  foreign minister): Crimea is Putin’s Opening Move (3/24/14)
3. Obama charges Putin as a menace (3/26/14)
4. Russia likely to invade Eastern Ukraine sooner than anticipated (3/26/14)
5. US Challenge now is to stop Putin’s further moves (3/26/14)
6. Appeal of Kharkiv residents to the international community (3/26/14)
7. Obama’s speech in Brussels calling for international community to rally against Putin (3/26/14)
8. If Russia swallows Ukraine, the European system is finished (3/27/14)
9. Video showing how Russian media fabricated news during Russia’s incursion into Georgia in 2008 -- similar to what is occurring today (English subtitles) (3/27/14)
10. We must prepare for a long struggle with Putin (3/27/14)
11. A weak EU cannot stop Putin (3/27/14)
12. Ukrainian Jews Slam Putin in NYT Full Page Ad (3/27/14)
13. Disrupting Ukraine’s transition may be Putin’s primary foreign policy goal (3/28/14)
14. Don’t believe Putin when he says he won’t invade eastern Ukraine (3/29/14)
15. Putin has caused Ukrainians to unite like never before (3/30/14)
16. Putin has a lot of problems to fix in his own country (3/31/14)
17. What is Putin trying to do?  (4/1/14)
18. No evidence of troop pull-out despite what Lavrov & Putin have said (4/1/14)
19. NATO: It would take 3-5 days for the Russia’s military to overtake eastern Ukraine (4/3/14)
20. Putin begins his attack on eastern Ukraine (4/7/14)
21. Kerry warns Lavrov: Moscow will incur further costs if destabilization of Ukraine continues (4/7/14)
22. Pro-Putin activist arrested in Odesa carrying weapons (4/7/14)
23. Kremlin-backed “protesters” looking to form “New Russia” out of eastern Ukraine (4/7/14)
24. Events in eastern Ukraine suggests that Putin will invade -- is the West going to proactively respond this time?  (4/7/14)
25. The final nail of the coffin of the former USSR (4/8/14)
26. Pro-Putin/Russia separatists use social media to organize themselves -- leaving a trail of criminal plans (4/8/14)
27. Russian invasion imminent says military analyst (4/9/14)
28. Support of locals for secession appears to be thin in Donetsk (4/9/14)
29. Putin/Russia plotting for long-term influence over Ukraine (4/9/14)
30. Russia using gas supply to coerce Ukraine and UE to submission (4/10/14)
31. Putin effectively starts a war on Palm Sunday (4/13/14)
32. Nations Line up at UN to Slam Russia’s Moves in Ukraine (4/14/14)
33. Ukraine struggles as east slips out of Kyiv’s hands (4/14/14)
34. Ukraine’s Crackdown on Separatists/”Russian-Military-Tourists” Begins (4/15/14)
35. “What’s scary here is the possibility of a third world war." (4/15/14)
36. A city-by-city guide of what is happening in eastern Ukraine (4/15/15)
37. Anti Terrorist operation in Donetsk province begins (4/15/14)
38. What the CIA Director was doing in Ukraine (4/15/14)
39. Putin finally admits sending troops into Crimea (4/17/14)
40. Geneva Statement on Ukraine (4/17/14)
41. Pro-Russian Militants Defy Geneva Accord (4/18/14)
42. What is Putin’s “New Russia”?  (4/18/14)
43. How the US made its Putin Problem Worse (4/18/14)
44. That what is wrong with the Genva Agreement (4/19/14)
45. Ukrainians fundraise to bolster their military (4/20/14)
46. Pro-Ukraine’s Response to Putin Propaganda Trending on Twitter (4/20/14)
47. Why Putin Plays the Jewish Card (4/20/14)
48. Obama Strategy Write’s Off Putin (4/20/14)
49. Russia Excels at “Special War”: Espionage+Subversion+Terrorism (4/21/14)
50. US State Dept. Releases photos showing Russia has it’s Special Forces in Ukraine (4/21/14)
51. Pro-Russian Commander Says He Brought Armed Fighters to the Region From Crimea (4/27/14)
52. Russia Betrays their Geneva Agreement (4/27/14)
53. Putin’s goal may be to destroy NATO and then rebuild the Russian Empire (4/27/14)
54. Opinion: NATO response is nearly unthinkable (4/27/14)
55. Assassination Attempt of Kharkiv Mayor (4/28/14)
56. What’s Happening in Ukraine is Dangerous for Russia (4/29/14)
57. US Taped Moscow’s Calls to Its Spies in Ukraine (4/29/14)
58. The Men Behind the Masks -- Who are they?  (5/3/14)
59. Russian Mafia helping Putin in eastern Ukraine (5/3/14)
60. Has Ukraine Outfoxed Putin?  (5/3/14)
61. US Offers Spam While Russia Sends in Special Forces (5/3/14)
62. OpEd: The International Community must step it up!  (5/6/14)
63. Gunmen leave civilians to defend rebel stronghold in Ukraine (5/6/14)
64. Russia’s Propaganda machine Loves the New York Times report (5/7/14)
65. NYT:  Behind the Masks (5/7/14)
66. West Skeptical of Putin’s U-turn on Ukraine (5/8/14)
67. Separatist Vote in eastern Ukraine Chaotic (5/12/14)

Ukraine’s May 25th Presidential Elections

1. Klitschko throws support towards Poroshenko and switches candidacy for Kyiv Mayor instead (3/29/14)
2. Profile of Petro Poroshenko (3/29/14)
3. Editorial: Ukraine’s Critical Choice- Tymoshenko? (3/31/14)
4. Poroshenko Widens his lead to 33% versus Tymoshenko’s 9.5% (4/23/14)
5. The Euromaidan Revolution begins to bear fruit (4/25/14)
6. A concise explanation of the role of an election observer (4/27/14)
7. Washington Post: Interview with Poroshenko (4/27/14)
8. Putin’s Warlords Working to Prevent Ukraine’s Elections (5/2/14)
9. Razumkov Center says Poroshenko will get 48% of the votes (5/6/14)
10. Poll Reveals The Impossible Stalemate Facing Ukraine (5/9/14)

Articles Related to the EU Association Agreement & Aftermath

1. 7 Reasons why the EU Association Agreement is Important (3/21/14)
2. The crisis in Crimea/Ukraine has very deep roots (3/21/14)
3. State-Sponsored Russian TV no longer permitted to broadcast in Ukraine due to Kremlin Propaganda (3/22/14)
4. All sides will benefit from OSCE visit to Ukraine (3/23/14)
5. IMF prepares $18B in loans for Ukraine (3/27/14)
6. Yatsenyuk calls for austerity measures following billions of dollars stolen by Yanukovych (3/27/14)

News Source of Ukraine:  

Ukraine Crisis Media Center  or https://www.facebook.com/uacrisis 

Efforts to Help Euromaidan

• http://www.slideshare.net/SaveUkraina2014/help-ukraine-2014pptx

Other topics for teachers to explore

• Create a country profile of Ukraine - including historical context
• Create an outline describing Ukrainian society (ethnic, linguistic and religious composition)
• Create an outline of Ukrainian geo-economics
• Compare the governments of Kuchma vs Yushchenko vs Yanukovych and summaries their accomplishments and what they have been criticized for.
• Create a “Protestors profile”  (how it did or did not change over the course of the protests within the timelines provided)
• Who are/were the key protest players of Euromaidan
• Who are the Oligarchs in Ukraine?  What role did/do they play in Ukrainian politics?  How are they connected (if at all) to Russia/Europe/other countries?
• What/who are titushky and who do they answer to?  What motivates them?
• Investigate high-profile abductions and beatings such as Chornovil, Bulatov, Verbitsky
• Who are the heros who are recognized as the Nebesna Sotnya (Eternal Hundred)?  From where do these individuals hail?
• What is the future of the Euromaidan (“Maidan”) movement?
• What are Putin’s/Russia’s motives?

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Dear fellow educators,

If you have suggestions or additional information that can contribute to educating others, please email me: bbilash@pascack.k12.nj.us.  I will then update this page.

Democracy has always depended on information.  Today, social media is making the world more democratic.  Please spread the word.  BB2

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VERSION 1.0

(created December 1, 2013 and regularly updated until Jan 1, 2014)

Below is the original document created in December 2013.  The document is limited to the events that took place in early December.

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An introduction that may shock you:

• The following video provides insight to why the focus of the protest have changed from European Integration to demanding the Ukrainian Government resign.  Nov 30th, 4 am. Berkut Police attacking protesters (caution the video is graphic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcACUfVzABU&feature=youtu.be&fb_source=messa
• Highlighted information added Dec 21: This video shows how the Berkut Police reacted to a peaceful protest on Bankova Street December 1st.  In the early parts of the video you will see flashes of light and sounds of explosions.  These were stun grenades set off prior to the police storming the crowd.  The video shows many examples of unprovoked police brutality.  In particular, look at the video beginning 4:20 to see what appears to begin as a civil confrontation but ends with an unprovoked beating, (caution the video is graphic).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeyRf3dVAOc#t=275 

Crisis Explained in 90 seconds:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25304797 

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Sample Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to...

1. Explain how social media has influenced the development of democracy in society worldwide.
2. Create a list of good practices that can be used to evaluate the quality and validity of  information available from social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the mainstream press and sources of information such as Wikipedia.
3. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a protest peaceful.
4. Create a list of benefits and drawbacks to having Ukraine join the European Union, and use your list to express an opinion describing if or not Ukraine should join the European Union.
5. Investigate what role other countries have played (if any) in influencing the integration of Ukraine into the European Union and comment on what role countries can or should have in the process.
6. New: Dec 21: As a group/class/school, identify your position on the events in Ukraine and create a video of your message and post it on Youtube to make your voice heard. Share your link with others.  (Limit your message to 3 minutes).

Background

1. Reading the Wikipedia article is a good start. Please keep in mind that ANYONE can contribute to Wikipedia which risks misinformation. Nevertheless, the article does provide a context for discussion. (Be sure to review the citations and judge their reliability) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromaidan (Updated on Dec 15 -->  since it’s creation, the Euromaidan Wikipedia article has evolved into the most comprehesive collection of facts that I have encountered. It has been updated everyday and appears to be refereed fairly -- but you should be the judge).
2. Next, read the TALK page of this Wikipedia article.  There, you can judge for yourself the quality of the information in the article.  Again, keep in mind that changes to the article may be used to drive an agenda.  As with any political issue, there are many agendas and not everyone is truthful. (Caution: there have been some obvious attempts at misinformation with this Wikipedia article.  Read the Talk page and it’ll be obvious).
3. Here’s a glossary of terms that may help too: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-protest-glossary-euromaydan/25190085.html   
4. Added Dec 21:  Euromaidan Explained -- a project by students of the School of Journalism at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) Lviv, Ukraine:: http://euromaidan2013.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/the-story-of-euromaidan/                         

Facts

(your students can easily verify any of this information -- perhaps a good exercise on how to use the Internet as a source of information)

1. Many (but not all) Ukrainians want Ukraine to be part of the European Union.
2. Since 2004, the Ukrainian government has been working toward the goal of some sort of integration.
3. The European Union has encouraged Ukraine to pursue some sort of integration -- be it a simple trade status or a full EU membership.
4. Russia has made it very clear that it does not want Ukraine to pursue any form of integration with Europe.  Instead, Russia wants to form its own coalition of former Soviet countries.
5. President Yanukovych said he would sign the Association Agreement with EU if the Ukrainian parliament passed the vote to do so.  In November, prior to the EU summit in Vilnius the Parliament did NOT vote to pursue the agreement.   Immediately, university students began protesting in Independence Square in Kyiv. The most popular phrase chanted by protestors was “Ukraine is Europe”.  The speeches focused less on economics and more on the desire to free Ukraine from the influence of Moscow.
6. Prior to Dec 1, protests were organized and attended mostly by university students.  Politicians were asked not to participate. Students made it explicit that they did not want politicians using the situation for their own personal political agenda. There were no signs or flags of political parties present.
7. This protest is very different from the well-planned and professionally organized Orange Revolution.  This protest seems grassroots -- with little help or interference from politicians.  There does not seem to be a focused direction for the protestors other than their desire to join the EU (ie: what happens next?) and no particular leader of the protests (ie: who is in charge?).
8. The original protests (ie: prior to Nov 29) were manned 24 hours a day at Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine.  Depending on the evening, the protests ranged from a low of 2000 to a high of 200,000 students and support from the general public.  Protests consisted of speakers interspaced by performances of pop performers.  The atmosphere was serious yet jovial. The protestors renamed the square “Eurosquare”.
9. Protests also took place in other cities across Ukraine and drew crowds of tens of thousands people.
10. The Ukrainian Diaspora on every continent also organized protests of solidarity, including two at the United Nations in NYC.
11. Despite the protest, President Yanukovych did not sign the Association Agreement on November 29, as hoped.
12. At 4 am, with about 500 student protestors occupying Eurosquare (they were having a sing-along at the time), the Ukrainian Special Police “Berkut” stormed the protestors and beat the students with clubs and arrested a number of them.  Videos on YouTube clearly show that this was an unprovoked storm of troops (see below). One girl is said to have been killed (denied/confirmed/denied but confirmed again).
13. President Yanukovych denied ordering the attacks of Nov.30.  Kyiv’s Chief of Police said he ordered the attacks and subsequently resigned.  (footnote: Berkut is under the direction of the national Ministry of Internal Affairs -- an arm of the President’s cabinet).
14. The Police Chief said that he instructed Berkut to clear Eurosquare of protesters so that municipal workers could erect Kyiv’s Christmas tree at that location.  The public now refers to the tree as the Bloody Tree and some have called Nov. 30th Bloody Saturday.
15. December 1: it is estimated that up to 1.6 million people gathered in Kyiv in protest.  The focus of the protest changed from the EU agreement to demanding the resignation of the President and Prime Minister and a call for new elections.  Politicians began taking part in speeches and in the organization of further protests.
16. Throughout these protests all participants have been asked to abstain from any violent acts whatsoever.  This has been a very clear message repeated over and over again.
17. It is rumored that all violent acts have been initiated by the “titushky” hired to do so (see below).  It is these violent (sensational) acts that have been shown by the mainstream media worldwide.
18. Since Dec 1, protestors are now chanting “revolution” in addition to “Ukraine is Europe”.
19. On 3 December the Azarov Government survived the vote of no-confidence with 186 MP's supporting the motion, and all but 1 Party of Regions MP abstaining from the vote; at least 226 votes were needed.
20. 1:00 am (Kyiv time) Dec 11: 5000 Berhut surround the Maidan (Eurosquare) and unsuccessfully attempt to push their way through the lines of demonstrators guarding the entrances.  The number of Berkut officers exceed the number of protestors.  The standoff lasted until about 10 am.  During the first 5 hours, there were many tense moments.  Ruslana announced over loud speakers for the protestors not to engage the Berkut in any way.  Protestors chanted “peaceful protest”.  (BB2: I watched the events live for over five hours.  In my opinion, the shorter summary videos do not convey the emotions and excruciating tension protestors must have experienced at the time. It would be worthwhile to find a source that has the entire video of the Espreso.tv live feed.  This will give you an idea of what happened -- but it can’t recreate the emotion of watching it happening -- there is a difference).
21. Approximately 4 am (Kyiv) Dec 11:  US Secretary of State John Kerry releases a statement that the United States is “disgusted” with the action of the Ukrainian government and calls for the Ukrainian government to permit peaceful dissent.
22. Dec 12: US Defence Secretary Hagel calls Ukraine’s Defence Minister and warns the Ukrainian government not to use the military against its citizens.
23. Dec 13: Round table talks takes place in Kyiv.  participants include: President Yanukovych, the three former Ukrainian presidents, leaders of the opposition (Yatsenyuk, Klichko, Tiahnybok), religious leaders, cultural leaders, educational leaders, and a pro-government student leader who was later exposed to be hired by pro-government forces and found not to be a student, in fact.
24. Dec 14: 10,000 pro-government protesters are bused from eastern and southern Ukraine to Kyiv.  Channel 5 reporters interview a number of protestors who admit that they were either forced to come to Kyiv by their university leaders or employers or that they volunteered.  These protestors were paid $200UH (US$25) per day.  Videos from news reports (many posted on YouTube) were captured of attendance being taken.  Many of these protestors covered their faces when photographed.  This protest was promised to last through the night, but, half the protestors left half way through the day, and disbanded entirely in early evening.
25. Dec 15: The largest rally yet.  Some have claimed that this rally exceeds the numbers of the Orange Revolution.  US Senator John McCain speaks to the crowd and offers an encouraging message from the USA.

Provocateurs -- the Titushky

1. Any violence seems to be initiated by provocateurs known as “titushky”.  Titushky is a Ukrainian slang term describing athletic men hired as thugs to start fighting among peaceful protests.  The attacking titushky wear masks and are often armed with batons.  There have been hidden videos posted on YouTube showing how operatives were soliciting men to serve as titushky on the side streets of Kyiv.  It is not clear who is paying the titushky -- for now, it’s speculation.

2. To prevent titushky from interfering with the peaceful demonstrations, students with help from army veterans have erected barriers 100 feet in front of the Berkut Police who are protecting the Office of the President.  In other words, students are protecting the police that beat them up the night before. Students say that they are doing this to prevent titushky from provoking an attack and thereby disrupting the peace.  Such an attack may give reason for the government to impose martial law -- this is a major concern for the protestors.
3. The following video has been distributed as a “public service announcement” by a Pro-Euromaidan group (I don’t know who).  The message in the video provides a glimpse of who/what is a titushky and how they operate.  The message in the video seems obvious.  This may be worthwhile discussing with your students:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov8nF4csKds 
4. From NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=250395155 

Protesters for Hire (new Dec 15)

Channel 5 news (www.5.ua) has interviewed a number of pro-government protestors who admitted on camera that they have been bused to Kyiv for the purpose of participating in the pro-government protests and were paid 200UH ($US25) for doing so.  These protestors were bused from eastern and southern oblasts (provinces).  Some protesters were told by their employers or school officials that they had no choice but to attend.  Many protestors could not provide a coherent answer when asked what they were protesting.  Some said they came to support the president, but did not know why.  Others said they supported “the idea”, but could not clarify what the idea was.  Some came for the experience or free ride to Kyiv.  The pro-government protests took place at European Square -- about 400 meters down Khreshchatyk St. from Independence Square.  (To clarify, European Square is not Eurosquare or Euromaidan as it seems to be known now.  The pro-EU protestors have renamed Independence Square (informally, “Maidan”) Euromaidan).  The pro-government protest was surrounded by Berkut Special Police and regular police due to fear of clashes between the competing protests.  There were no clashes.  The pro-government rally was as peaceful as the Maidan rallies. Journalists report that 10,000 pro-government protestors were in attendance.  At one point, one of the speakers, Hryhorij Smitiuk (a member of Parliament representing the Yanukovych’s party) encouraged the crowd to chant “Putin, Putin…”.  The organizers promised to remain through the night, but by midday only 5000 supporters remained and the rest left by night fall.  The first video report listed below provides a comprehensive summary of the pro-government protestors.  YouTube provided a closed caption option.  Although the reporter speaks in Ukrainian, most respond in Russian.  The Russian captions can be translated using Google Translator (not the best translator, but it will provide a reasonable understanding).

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GEcwOGbZqs 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glfFOjihE0M 

• Many hired pro-government protestors have complained that they were not paid the fees they were promised.  Here is a video of former pro-government protestors protesting outside the headquarters of the Party of Regions (President Yanukovych’s party): http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/25209045.html 

Misinformation

There is plenty of misinformation being circulated.  Some of the misinformation has made it into the mainstream media, despite the media’s best efforts.  Please question your sources of information (yes, including me).

Postings on Facebook and Twitter clearly show that there are parties trying to disrupt the sharing of factual information.  Doctored photos have also been circulated -- especially ones depicting events of Dec 1st..  Many of these have since been exposed and documented as being doctored.    Again, question the source and verify the credibility.

Examples of Misinformation

• News reporter broadcasting live from Kyiv into Russia is interrupted during the broadcast by another journalist who gives him an Oscar statute as a tongue-in-cheek gesture in response to his false reporting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyNG0wFl06Q 
• During the round table talks on December 13th, one participant misrepresnted himself as a student leader:  http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/presidential-round-table-had-a-fake-student-leader-333642.html 
• The Orthodox Church that falls under the Moscow Patriarch (traditionally, maintains close ties to Russian government) posted photos of the round table talks of Dec. 12th.  The photos however appear to have removed (Photoshopped out) the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Filaret), as well as the Patriarch-emeritus of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (Lubomyr Huzar).  The latter two churches maintain a practice of separation of church and state.  The following article includes the real photo and that posted on the Moscow Patriarch’s website.  http://gazeta.ua/articles/life/_z-foto-kruglogo-stolu-yanukovicha-znikli-patriarh-upc-kp-filaret-ta-lyubomir-guz/532175 .  Here is the link to the Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarch’s website (retrieved Dec 16, 17:00 EST): http://news.church.ua/2013/12/13/kijiv-keruyuchij-spravami-upc-vzyav-uchast-u-zasidanni-zagalnonacionalnogo-kruglogo-stolu-objednajemo-ukrajinu/#more-1874 

Examples of Government Harassment

• http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/366422/word-ukrainian-barricades-george-weigel 

Crowd Estimate of Dec 1 Rally (by Borislaw Bilash II)

Using Google Maps.  There are four areas to consider..

1] Independence Square (400x100m = 40,000 m^2),

2] NE end of Khreshchatyk St., (60 x 270 m = 16000 m^2),

3] European Square (a TRIANGLE of 120x180m = 10,000 m^2),

4] Let’s agree that the SW end of Khreshchatyk had the same number of people as the NE end (16,000 m^2).

This makes the total square meters: 40000+16000+10000+16000= 82,000 m^2.

A loosely packed crowd would consist of 4 people per square meter. That suggests 328,000 people – very close to what was reported in many press reports worldwide.

If we include the entire length of Kreshchatyk St., to Basarabka Market (60x1000 m = 60,000 m), then the total square meters is: 40000+16000+10000+60000 = 126,2000 m^2 and at 4 people per meter that = 500,000 people.

If  the crowd was packed more tightly (videos suggest the crowd was very tight) – let’s say a stifling 8 people per square meter, then the number is 1 million people. (8 people per square meter is roughly one per square foot).

If you add the side streets, that number goes up a bit. (I don’t know how much of the area was actually covered).

At this point I’m thinking the actual number of people may approach 1M. I think an estimate of 350,000 is low, but 1.6 M is too high. Of course, all of this depends on which streets were filled and how much.

Crowd Estimate of Dec 8

I have not had a chance to analyze the photos from the rally of Dec 8, but it is safe to say that the number of people on the Мaidan Nezalezhnosti (Googlemaps: 50.45031, 30.52369) and up Hrushevskoho street all the way to Sadova St far exceed the numbers of Dec. 1st.  Trusted friends of mine in the crowd both claim that the crowd in the Maidan and along Hrushevskoho St were 8-9 people per square meter.  This can be verified from aerial photos.  If crowd density is a fact, we only need to measure what parts of the streets were covered with people.  Perhaps this can be an exercise for your students.  Here’s a link to an aerial view of the crowd: http://www.airpano.ru/files/Ukraine-EuroMaidan/2-2 

Crowd Estimate of Dec 15

A trusted friend of mine who was present at the Maidan reports that took place on Dec. 15 said the “crowd is the biggest ever or I'd say almost twice as much. Really. Biggest crowd I have ever been in. Including the O.R.”  The press is reporting the same.  A Channel 5 (www.5.ua) reporter said that “there wasn’t room for an apple to fall in between people”.

Note: the population of Kyiv is approximately 2.3M.  Ukraine’s population is 46M.

Credible Sources

• Channel 5 News in Kyiv (Ukrainian, but Google can translate articles somewhat): http://5.ua/
• Kyiv Post (English): http://www.kyivpost.com/
• Ukrainian Pravda (since renamed as European Pravda) (Ukrainian): http://www.pravda.com.ua/ 
• UNIAN - Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (English): http://www.unian.info/ 

Live Video Feeds

• http://euro-online.kiev.ua/ 

Top Twitter feeds (plenty of photos and videos)

• https://twitter.com/search?q=%23euromaidan&src=hash 
• https://twitter.com/mefimus 
• @Kateryna_Kruk
• https://twitter.com/MaximEristavi 
• https://twitter.com/EuroMaydan_eng 

• @petro_rondiak

• @shaunwalker7

Other Twitter feeds

•  BBC News (World) - @BBCWorld
• https://twitter.com/maxseddon 
• Taras Kuzio - @TarasKuzio
• RFE/RL - @RFERL (Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty)
• Walter Bilas - @walterbilas
• Euromaidan Lviv - @euromaidanlviv
• Ukrainian Eyes - @ukrainianeyes
• Elysaveta Olshanskaya - @TheGreat_Liz
• EuroMaydan - @Euromaydan_eng
• NUCC Norway/Ukraine - @_nucc
• Will Wright - @rubcacenter
• John Baird - @HonJohnBaird
• Kyiv Post - @KyivPost
• Ukrainian Updates - @Ukroblogger
• New Eastern Europe - @NewEastEurope
• John McCain - @SenJohnMcCain
• Christopher Miller - @ChristopherJM
• Brian Bonner - @BSBonner
• Kateryna Kruk - @Kateryna_Kruk
• Yuri Bender - @YuriBender
• Modern Ukraine - @Modern_Ukraine
• Vasyl Pawlowsky - @uamuzik
• UANews4ENMedia - @UANews4ENMedia
• Michael Andersen - @MAJorno
• UCCLA - @UCCLA
• Voice of America - @chastime

YouTube

• Nov 30th, 4 am. Berkut Police attacking protesters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcACUfVzABU&feature=youtu.be&fb_source=message 
• Nov 30. Berkut Police attacking protesters (2nd video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wgx-Mf08l0g 
• Dec 1, 2013 (1.6M protesters) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7tEYUH6Dfo#t=389 
• A plea from a student protester: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDY_v1XbhQ8&feature=youtu.be 
• A reporter’s account about titushky (click on CC for English subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF4_odjb-wk 
• A message to “Rise Up!”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQbiyqrlokA&feature=share 
• Speech (in Ukrainian) in Parliament given by Oleh Tyahnoboka chastising members of parliament for missing the chance to support the desires of the populace:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBiFA0T4nsw&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoBiFA0T4nsw%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player&app=desktop 
• Supportive messages from people in Europe:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exi6H6ETM4k&feature=share 
• Deputy Poroshenko chastising a Court Official for violating the Rights of an arrested protestor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdDGvVwd3ic&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMdDGvVwd3ic&app=desktop 
• Prolonged beating by Berkut Special Forces of a protestor trying to run away (Dec 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U5Qmv9gg8w&fb_source=message 
• Cars intentionally blocking the route from Berkut headquarters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK1A8MPb6Ro 
• Rector (President) of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Talks about Euromaidan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nzVInutKnGE 
• A video created by a tourist who was visiting Kyiv when protests first broke out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSu_QGk_EY&feature=share 
• Message from American Actor George Clooney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx7D62i_2D4&list=UUCQ3Tp3Qn5b0byhH1rvCjLA 
• Interview of Aresenyi Yatsenyuk: http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2013/12/02/yatsenyuk-ukraine-amanpour.cnn.htm
• Video taken by drone of gathering on the evening of Dec 14th
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV9td9DaOlE 
• A video expressing support from India: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkHcODVKWPE#t=22 
• Arial view of crowd -- day and night:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onk4SDBh6IM#t=19 
• A plea from Bishop Gudziak to Ukrainian Businessmen (Oligarchs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWBOkgssZfM&list=UUhuqiwYsdu2QOOVKYVFnjBA 
• US Senator John McCain”s webcast regarding US strategy towards Ukraine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7iKlMqSL4g
• A message of support from students from around the world:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqZigRLLUGI 
• A message from Ukrainian Protesters thanking people of the world for their support
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPdh_bVee-o 

Facebook

• https://www.facebook.com/mychailo.wynnyckyj (Prof. M. Wynnyckyj’s provides a daily synopsis of events)
• www.facebook.com/EuroMaydan (English)
• https://www.facebook.com/euromaidanEN (English)

Professor Mychailo Wynnyckyj’s daily Updates

Born in Canada, Prof. Wynnykyj is now a professor in Kyiv

• https://www.facebook.com/mychailo.wynnyckyj/notes 

About Ukraine, etc.

• http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-protest-glossary-euromaydan/25190085.html 
• http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/12/03/ukraine-five-things/3852841/ 
• http://abcnews.go.com/International/idiots-guide-world-issues-protests-ukraine/story?id=21098577 

Op-eds/Analysis:

1. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9d6e6dbe-592f-11e3-a7cb-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2mLgj97WO 
2. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ukraine-needs-europes-help-against-yanukovych/2013/12/02/3c44156e-5b6b-11e3-a49b-90a0e156254b_story.html
3. http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/opinion/frum-ukraine-russia/index.html 
4. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/charlescrawford/100248515/putins-russia-is-too-weak-to-stop-ukraine-joining-europe-but-it-will-try/ 
5. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-02/ukraine-s-revolution-is-the-real-thing.html
6. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec13/ukraine2_12-02.html 
7. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-25201784 
8. http://www.freedomhouse.org/article/ukrainian-protesters-deserve-be-heard 
9. http://www.bloomberg.com/video/ukraine-faces-prospect-of-economic-collapse-ash-sJg5A9qrQcq2q4f~NSIWzQ.html 
10. http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2013/12/01/why-ukraine-matters/ 
11. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/opinion/chappatte-ukraine-rejects-eu-accord.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 
12. http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/dec/05/ukraine-protests-way-out/ 
13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 
14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ukraines-protests-should-end-with-a-negotiated-settlement/2013/12/09/4860a9fc-60fc-11e3-8beb-3f9a9942850f_story.html 
15. http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2013/12/ukraine 
16. http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/birth-of-a-nation-333459.html 
17. http://emaidan.com/index.php/euromaidan-news-in-english/143-us-shamefully-slights-ukraine-foreign-affairs 
18. http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/12/why-ukraine-debate-has-cold-war-echoes/ 
19. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/opinion/keller-russia-vs-europe.html?_r=0 
20. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/today-ukraine-tomorrow-central-europe-why-west-needs-wake-putin%E2%80%99s-ambitions 
21. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2013/12/vladimir-putin-just-bought-a-country-should-the-us-care-101264.html 
22. http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/from-kyiv-ukraine-s-massed-protesters-have-pushed-their-country-to-a-tipping-point 
23. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-19/help-ukrainians-stand-up-for-western-values.html
24. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304367204579268152932428202
25. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/opinion/kauffmann-how-europe-can-help-kiev.html?_r=0
26. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/26/opinion/learn-hardball-europe.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1387976832-iIZ29fhxGlta3EtpWWt6iw
27. http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/alexander-j-motyl/rethinking-euro-revolution-and-yanukovych-regime 
28. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/supporting-belaruss-climb-out-from-under-dictatorship/2013/12/26/54aadd60-6c08-11e3-aecc-85cb037b7236_story.html
29. http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/regions/eurozone/1969-ukraine-s-revolution-of-dignity 

News Reports

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Y9-OZZMmo 
2. Photos from the final moments prior to attack by Berkut: http://zik.ua/ua/news/2013/12/04/lyudy_yaki_zavazhaly_yoltsi_foto_ostannih_hvylyn_rozignanogo_yevromaydanu_444804?fb_action_ids=668470416536604
3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/world/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ukrainian-protests/2013/12/05/ca25dd6c-5dbf-11e3-95c2-13623eb2b0e1_video.html 
4. http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine-abroad/all/ 
5. http://abcnews.go.com/International/idiots-guide-world-issues-protests-ukraine/story?id=21098577 
6. http://www.brama.com/news/ 
7. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/12/09/how-internet-tools-turned-euromaidan-protests-into-a-movement/ 
8. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/world/europe/putin-scraps-kremlin-news-agencies.html?src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Findex.jsonp
9. http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/20-cases-of-beating-reporters-investigated-333384.html 
10. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/12/world/europe/police-storm-kiev-square-as-crisis-grows.html?hp 
11. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-11/ukraine-billionaires-desert-yanukovych-after-eu-accord-reversal.html 
12. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/behind-ukraines-protest-are-memories-of-moscows-famine/article15868147/#dashboard/follows/ 
13. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-grooms-boxer-vitali-klitschko-to-lead-ukraine-opposition-a-938079.html 
14. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25323964 
15. http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/birth-of-a-nation-333459.html 
16. http://www.rferl.org/media/photogallery/ukraine-politics-eu/25195473.html 
17. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/a-readers-guide-to-the-protests-in-ukraine/2013/12/02/2a589d1e-5b59-11e3-801f-1f90bf692c9b_story.html 
18. http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/they-come-to-ukraine-for-the-protest-will-they-stay-for-the 
19. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/world/europe/struggle-in-ukraine-reflects-a-larger-battle-between-europe-and-russia.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1& 
20. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashley-hardaway/ukraine-protests_b_4435816.html 
21. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/world/europe/ukraine-protests.html?hp&_r=0 
22. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25328311
23. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-16/ukraine-s-protesters-show-its-leaders-how
24. -to-govern.html 
25. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-gives-ukraine-a-financial-lift/2013/12/17/b9999118-673e-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html
26. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/world/europe/russia-offers-ukraine-financial-lifeline.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
27. http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21591589-viktor-yanukovych-has-made-his-choice-his-country-has-chosen-otherwise-goodbye-putin
28. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25411118 
29. http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-12-17/ukraine-cuts-a-deal-it-could-soon-regret
30. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2013/12/17/six-reasons-to-be-cautious-about-likelihood-of-opposition-success-in-ukraine/ 
31. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/europe/german-chancellor-makes-plea-on-behalf-of-former-soviet-republics.html?_r=0 
32. http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000002614934/the-soul-of-the-square.html 
33. http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21591897-under-its-current-government-ukraine-may-be-prize-not-worth-winning-putins-expensive-victory 
34. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-ukraine-lobbying-20131220,0,4102378.story 
35. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-ukraine-lobbying-20131220,0,4102378.story 
36. http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/journalist-and-protest-activist-chornovol-beaten-near-kyiv-334224.html
37. https://www.facebook.com/events/572873219462959/
38. http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/the-mystery-of-ukraines-maidan

Photo Journalism (new Dec 15)

1. Kyiv Post Multi-media of Dec 11 influx of Berkut Special Forces: http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/night-storming-of-maidan-dec-11-333432.html 
2. This is an aerial view of the Dec 8 protests -- the largest to date (future protests are expected to exceed this crowd).  (Note: the Dec 15th ralley was even larger) http://www.airpano.ru/files/Ukraine-EuroMaidan/2-2
3. http://vitaliy-umanets.livejournal.com/2688.html 
4. http://www.rightnow.io/breaking-news/ukraine--man_bn_1386432253953.html 
5. https://twitter.com/search?q=%23euromaidan&src=hash&mode=photos 

Statements by Foreign Governments

1. USA: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements/nuland-osce.html 
2. US Secretary of State John Kerry: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/world/europe/kerrys-statement-on-ukraine.html?_r=0 
3. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2013/12/11/statement-prime-minister-canada-developments-ukraine 
4. US Defence Secretary Hagel: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements/hagel-ukraine1.html 
5. Senator John McCain’s speak to protesters on the Maidan: http://www.rferl.org/media/video/25201415.html 
6. Summary of International Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Euromaidan 
7. Statement from OSCE: http://osce.usmission.gov/12-19-13_ukraine.html 

Wikipedia (double check the citations)

• Pro EU Protests: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Ukraine_pro-European_Union_protests
• Berkut Special Police: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkut_(Ukraine) 
• About Tityshky (in Ukrainian) http://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%96%D1%82%D1%83%D1%88%D0%BA%D0%B8 
• Euromaidan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromaidan 

--------------------------------------

Dear fellow educators,

If you have suggestions or additional information that can contribute to educating others, please email me: bbilash@pascack.k12.nj.us.  I will then update this page.

Democracy has always depended on information.  Today, social media is making the world more democratic.  Please spread the word.  BB2

______________________________________________________

Допоміжні матеріали для вчителів

для обговорення подій листопада-грудня 2013 року в Україні

Борислав Білаш II

Учитель фізики, Pascack Valley High School, Гіллсдейл, Ню-Джерзі, США

«Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.»

(Nelson Mandela) 

Будь ласка, використовуйте цей документ, як трамплін для ваших уроків з метою обговорення поточних подій в Україні.

Мета навчання (у процесі - за ним підуть інші):

Учні зможуть ...

1. Пояснити, як соціальна медіа має вплив на розвиток демократії в суспільстві по всьому світу.
2. Створити список хороших практик, які можуть бути використані для оцінки якості та достовірності інформацій, що надходить з соціальних медій, таких як Facebook і Twitter, масова преса та джерело інформацій, наприклад, Вікіпедії.
3. Описати переваги і недоліки, зберігаючи протест мирним.
4. Створити список переваг і недоліків для того, що Україна може/не може вступити в Європейський Союз, а також запропонувати свій список, щоб висловити думку, яка описує, так чи ні, Україна повинна вступити до Європейського Союзу.
5. Розслідкувати те, яку ролю в інших країнах грали (якщо такі є) в надані впливу на інтеграцію України в Європейський Союз і коментувати над тим, яку ролю країни можуть або повинні мати в цьому процесі.

Вихідна інформація

1. Добре почати із читанням статті у Вікіпедії. Будь ласка, зверніть увагу на те, що кожний може вписати свій внесок у Вікіпедії, що загрожує ризикою дезінформації. Проте, стаття забезпечує контекст для обговорення. (Обов'язково обзнайомтеся з цитатами і їх надійністю). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Ukraine_pro-European_Union_protests
2. Далі, прочитайте на сторінці обговорення цієї статті Вікіпедії. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:2013_Ukraine_pro-European_Union_protests. Там ви зможете самі рішити про якість інформацій в статті. Знову, майте на увазі, що зміни в статті, можуть бути використані для задоволення конкретної мети, не завжди благородної. Як і в будь-якому політичному питанні, є багато інтересів, і не кожний є виправданим. (Увага: є деякі очевидні спроби дезінформації. Перегляньте статті Вікіпедії на сторінці обговорення, і це стане очевидним.).

Дані та факти

(Ваші студенти можуть легко перевірити будь-яку інформацію - можливо, хороша вправа про те, як використувати Інтернет в якості джерела інформацій).

1. Багато хто (але не всі) українці хочуть, щоб Україна була частиною Європейського Союзу.
2. З 2004 року український уряд працює в напрям осягнення мети якоїсь форми євроінтеграції.
3. Європейський Союз закликав Україну провести якусь форму інтеграції - будь то простий статус вільної торгівлі або повне членство в ЄС.
4. Росія дуже ясно сказала, що вона не хоче, щоб Україна брала участь у будь-якій формі інтеграції з Європою. Замість цього, Росія хоче сформувати свою власну коаліцію колишніх радянських країн.
5. Президент Янукович заявив, що підпише Угоду про асоціацію з ЄС, якщо український парламент проведе голосування, щоб це зробити. У листопаді, напередодні саміту ЄС у Вільнюсі, Парламент України не проголосував за чи проти угоди. В наслідок цього, студенти вийшли на акції протесту на Майдан Незалежності в Києві. Найбільш популярна фраза, яку скандували протестувальники була «Україна - Європа". Виступи були зосереджені не тільки на економіці, а більше на бажанні звільнити Україну від впливу Москви.

(Тут треба додати, що рішення не підписувати угоду, прийняв Кабінет Міністрів).

1. До 1 грудня, протести були зорганізовані і участь в них брали, в основному, студенти. Політиків просили не брати участь. Студенти явно дали зрозуміти, що вони не хотіли політиків, які могли б використати ситуацію для особистої політичної вигоди. На майдані не було ніяких ознак політичних партій, присутні лише прапори України та ЄС..
2. Цей протест дуже відрізняється від добре заплянованої і професійно зорганізованої Помаранчевої Революції. Цей протест формується з низових кіл, з невеликою допомогою, або втручання з боку політиків. Там не було зосереджено іншого напрямку для інших, ніж їх бажання вступити до ЄС  Що буде далі? З протестувальниками і не особливо лідерами протестів (тобто: хто стоїть при владі?).
3. Початкові протести (тобто: ті котрі відбувалися до 29 листопада) були укомплектовані 24 години на добу на площі Незалежності в Києві. На Майдані стояло від 2,000 до 200,000 студентів та представників широкої громадкості. Перед учасниками протестних акцій виступали громадські діячі та популярні музканти. Атмосфера була серйозна, настрій бадьорий. Протестуючі перейменували площу " Eurosquare " Європейська.
4. Протести відбулися також в інших містах по всій Україні. Вийшли десятки тисяч осіб.
5. Українська діяспора на всіх континентах також організувала протести солідарності, в тому числі два в ООН в Ню -Йорку.
6. Незважаючи на протест, Президент Янукович не підписав Угоду про асоціацію 29 листопада, як хотілося б.
7. О 4- ій ранку,  близько 500 протестуючих студентів  зайняли площу Незалежності «Eurosquare» (вони в той час разом співали). Українська поліція особливого призначення "Беркут" о 4- ій годині ранку штурмувала протестувальників, побила студентів кийками і заарештувала ряд з них. Відео на YouТube ясно доказує, що це була нічим не спровокована зачистка озброєними бойовиками (див. нижче).
8. Президент Янукович спростував замовлення нападу 30 листопада. Київський начальник міліції дав наказ нападати і згодом пішов у відставку. (Пояснення: Беркут знаходиться під керівництвом Міністерства Внутрішніх Справ (МВС) - у кабінеті Президента).
9. Начальник міліції сказав, що він доручив Беркуту очистити Площу Незалежності «Eurosquare» від протестуючих, щоб муніципальні робітники могли поставити в Києві ялинку в цьому місці. Громадкість тепер називає цю ялинку як «Кривава Ялинка», а день  30 листопада - «Кривавою суботою».
10. 1 грудня: за оцінками, до 1.6 мільйон людей зібралися в Києві на знак протесту. У центрі уваги протесту зміни вимог від угоди з ЄС до вимоги відставки Президента, Прем'єр-міністра, Кабінету Міністрів і заклик до нових виборів. Політики почали брати участь у виступах і в організації подальших протестів.
11. Протягом усіх цих протестів всі учасники попросили взагалі утриматися від будь-яких насильницьких дій. Це був дуже чіткий сигнал, який повторюється знову і знову.
12. Ходять чутки, що всі акти насильства були з ініціативи «тітушок», яких найняли, щоб зробити це (див. нижче). Саме ці насильницькі (сенсаційні) дії було показано в засобах масової інформації по всьому світу.
13. З 1 грудня протестуючі зараз скандують  «Революція», і на додаток , «Україна - Європа".

Провокатори – Titushky- Тітушки.

1. Є переконливі докази, що будь-яке насильство було ініційоване провокаторами, так званими «тітушками». Tітушки – це українське жаргонне слово, яке описує спортивних чоловіків, найнятих в якості бандитів, щоб почати бойові дії серед мирних протестів. Атакуючі тітушки носять маски і часто озброєні кийками. На місці подій, на бічних вулицях Києва, були приховані камери (результати розміщені пізніше на YouTube), які показали, як агітатори намагалися переконати осіб стати тітушками. Поки не ясно, хто платить тітушкам, на даний момент це - спекуляція.
2. Щоб запобігти втручанню тітушок в мирній демонстрації, студенти за допомогою ветеранів армії звели бар'єри 100 футів перед поліцією та Беркутом, які, захищали Адміністрацію Президента. Іншими словами, студенти захищали поліцію, що била їх напередодні. Студенти кажуть, що вони роблять це, щоб запобігти атаки тітушками та запобігти порушенню спокою. Така атака може дати привід для уряду ввести військовий стан, що є серйозною проблемою для протестувальників.

Дезінформація

1. Багато дезінформацій поширюється. Деяка дезінформація проникла в засоби масової інформації, незважаючи на всі зусилля засобів масової інформації щодо правдивого висвітлення подій.

2. Публікації на Facebook і Twitter ясно показують, що є партії, які намагаються порушити обмін достовірної інформації. Підроблені фото також поширюється. Знову ж таки, підходьте критично до джерел і перевіряйте надійність інформацій.

Достовірні джерела

• УНІАН - Українська незалежна інформаційне агентство (Англійська): http://www.unian.info/
• 5 канал Новини в Києві (українська, але Google може перекладати статті): http://5.ua/

Live Video Стрічки

• http://espreso.tv/stream
• http://euro-online.kiev.ua/ 
• http://www.livestream.com/activistworldnewsnow#Kyiv
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgfE9XPGbU 
• http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aronets 
• http://spilno.tv/ (натисніть на Трансляція #Євромайдан на правій частині сторінки)

Twitter (багато фото і відео)

• https://twitter.com/EuroMaydan_eng 
• https://twitter.com/search?q =%23euromaidan&src=hash 
• http://mashable.com/2013/12/09/twitter-sources-ukraine-conflict/ 
• https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/410608201998934016
• Canada’s Globe and Mail: @markmackinnon

•  BBC News (World) - @BBCWorld
• Taras Kuzio - @TarasKuzio
• RFE/RL - @RFERL (Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty)
• Walter Bilas - @walterbilas
• Euromaidan Lviv - @euromaidanlviv
• Ukrainian Eyes - @ukrainianeyes
• Elysaveta Olshanskaya - @TheGreat_Liz
• EuroMaydan - @Euromaydan_eng
• NUCC Norway/Ukraine - @_nucc
• Will Wright - @rubcacenter
• John Baird - @HonJohnBaird
• Kyiv Post - @KyivPost
• Ukrainian Updates - @Ukroblogger
• New Eastern Europe - @NewEastEurope
• John McCain - @SenJohnMcCain
• Christopher Miller - @ChristopherJM
• Brian Bonner - @BSBonner
• Kateryna Kruk - @Kateryna_Kruk
• Yuri Bender - @YuriBender
• Modern Ukraine - @Modern_Ukraine
• Vasyl Pawlowsky - @uamuzik
• UANews4ENMedia - @UANews4ENMedia
• Michael Andersen - @MAJorno
• UCCLA - @UCCLA
• Voice of America - @chastime

YouTube

• 30 листопада, 4 ранку. Беркут Поліція нападає на протестувальників: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcACUfVzABU&feature=youtu.be&fb_source=message
• 30 листопада. Беркут Поліція нападає на протестуючих (друге відео): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wgx-Mf08l0g
• 1 грудня 2013 (1.6М протестуючі) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7tEYUH6Dfo#t=389
• Заява від студентів протестувальників: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDY_v1XbhQ8&feature=youtu.be
• Репортаж кореспондента  про тітушки:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF4_odjb-wk
• Повідомлення "Rise Up!":
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQbiyqrlokA&feature=share
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBiFA0T4nsw&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoBiFA0T4nsw%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player&app=desktop
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exi6H6ETM4k&feature=share 
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdDGvVwd3ic&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMdDGvVwd3ic&app=desktop 
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U5Qmv9gg8w&fb_source=message 
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK1A8MPb6Ro 
• Rector (President) of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Talks about Euromaidan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nzVInutKnGE 
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSu_QGk_EY&feature=share 

Facebook

• https://www.facebook.com/mychailo.wynnyckyj (проф. М. Wynnyckyj забезпечує щоденний короткий огляд подій)
• www.facebook.com/EuroMaydan (Англійська)
• https://www.facebook.com/euromaidanEN (Англійська)

Щоденні оновлення професора Mychailo Wynnyckyj

Народився в Канаді, професор Винницький даний час є професором в Києві

• https://www.facebook.com/mychailo.wynnyckyj/notes 

About Ukraine, etc.

• http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-protest-glossary-euromaydan/25190085.html 
• http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/12/03/ukraine-five-things/3852841/ 
• http://abcnews.go.com/International/idiots-guide-world-issues-protests-ukraine/story?id=21098577 

Оп-ред

• http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9d6e6dbe-592f-11e3-a7cb-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2mLgj97WO
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ukraine-needs-europes-help-against-yanukovych/2013/12/02/3c44156e-5b6b-11e3-a49b-90a0e156254b_story.html
• http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/opinion/frum-ukraine-russia/index.html
• http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/charlescrawford/100248515/putins-russia-is-too-weak-to-stop-ukraine-joining-europe-but-it-will-try/
• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-02/ukraine-s-revolution-is-the-real-thing.html
• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec13/ukraine2_12-02.html  
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-25201784 
• http://www.freedomhouse.org/article/ukrainian-protesters-deserve-be-heard 
• http://www.bloomberg.com/video/ukraine-faces-prospect-of-economic-collapse-ash-sJg5A9qrQcq2q4f~NSIWzQ.html 
• http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2013/12/01/why-ukraine-matters/
• http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/12/03/ukraine-five-things/3852841/ 
• http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/opinion/chappatte-ukraine-rejects-eu-accord.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823 
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ukraines-protests-should-end-with-a-negotiated-settlement/2013/12/09/4860a9fc-60fc-11e3-8beb-3f9a9942850f_story.html 
• http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2013/12/ukraine 

News Reports

40. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Y9-OZZMmo 
41. Photos from the final moments prior to attack by Berkut: http://zik.ua/ua/news/2013/12/04/lyudy_yaki_zavazhaly_yoltsi_foto_ostannih_hvylyn_rozignanogo_yevromaydanu_444804?fb_action_ids=668470416536604
42. http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/world/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ukrainian-protests/2013/12/05/ca25dd6c-5dbf-11e3-95c2-13623eb2b0e1_video.html 
43. http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine-abroad/all/ 
44. http://abcnews.go.com/International/idiots-guide-world-issues-protests-ukraine/story?id=21098577 
45. http://www.brama.com/news/ 
46. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/12/09/how-internet-tools-turned-euromaidan-protests-into-a-movement/ 
47. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/world/europe/putin-scraps-kremlin-news-agencies.html?src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Findex.jsonp
48. http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/20-cases-of-beating-reporters-investigated-333384.html 
49. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/12/world/europe/police-storm-kiev-square-as-crisis-grows.html?hp 
50. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-11/ukraine-billionaires-desert-yanukovych-after-eu-accord-reversal.html 
51. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/behind-ukraines-protest-are-memories-of-moscows-famine/article15868147/#dashboard/follows/ 
52. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-grooms-boxer-vitali-klitschko-to-lead-ukraine-opposition-a-938079.html 
53. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25323964 
54. http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/birth-of-a-nation-333459.html 
55. http://www.rferl.org/media/photogallery/ukraine-politics-eu/25195473.html 
56. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/a-readers-guide-to-the-protests-in-ukraine/2013/12/02/2a589d1e-5b59-11e3-801f-1f90bf692c9b_story.html 
57. http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/they-come-to-ukraine-for-the-protest-will-they-stay-for-the 
58. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/world/europe/struggle-in-ukraine-reflects-a-larger-battle-between-europe-and-russia.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1& 

Statements by Foreign Governments

8. USA: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements/nuland-osce.html 
9. US Secretary of State John Kerry: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/world/europe/kerrys-statement-on-ukraine.html?_r=0 
10. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2013/12/11/statement-prime-minister-canada-developments-ukraine 
11. US Defence Secretary Hagel: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/statements/hagel-ukraine1.html 

Вікіпедія (двічі перевірте цитати)...

• Pro Протести ЄС: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Ukraine_pro-European_Union_protests
• Беркут Спеціальний Поліція: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkut_(Ukraine)
• Про Tiтушки  (українською мовою) http://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%96%D1%82%D1%83%D1%88%D0%BA%D0%B8 
• Euromaidan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromaidan 

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