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Profile: Ukraine's key protest figures Profile: Ukraine's key protest figures
(5 days later)
Ukraine has been gripped by mass protests since President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a far-reaching deal with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia in November 2013. Ukraine has been gripped by months of mass protests, finally forcing President Viktor Yanukovych out of power last week - after several days full of drama and changes at breakneck speed.
The unrest has united pro-EU and ultra-nationalist leaders in the fight against the government. The unrest was triggered by Mr Yanukovych's last-minute rejection of a landmark deal with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia in November 2013.
Here we profile some of the most prominent protest leaders. The demonstrations have united pro-EU and ultra-nationalist leaders, but have also brought to prominence groups of activists at the main protest camp in Kiev - the Maidan.
Here we profile both some of the key opposition leaders and Maidan activists.
Vitali KlitschkoVitali Klitschko
The former world heavyweight boxing champion is arguably the most prominent figurehead of the protest camp on Kiev's Maidan (Independence Square). The former world heavyweight boxing champion has until recently been arguably the most prominent figurehead of the protest on the Maidan (Independence Square).
Mr Klitschko heads the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (Udar), whose acronym means "Punch". The pro-EU party came third in last year's parliamentary elections. It campaigns against what it perceives to be rampant government corruption. Mr Klitschko heads the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (Udar), whose acronym means "Punch". The pro-EU party came third in the 2012 parliamentary elections. It campaigns against what it perceives to be rampant government corruption.
Mr Klitschko, 42, has rejected the role of deputy prime minister offered by President Viktor Yanukovych, calling it a "poisoned" gesture aimed at splitting the opposition. Mr Klitschko, 42, has rejected the role of deputy prime minister offered by Mr Yanukovych, calling it a "poisoned" gesture aimed at splitting the opposition.
He has been a vocal Yanukovych critic for more than a decade, accusing him of nepotism and deliberately sabotaging the country's EU ties. He has been a vocal Yanukovych critic, accusing him of nepotism and deliberately sabotaging the country's EU ties.
"The system today is built to service the clan, the family, and not society as a whole," Mr Klitschko said in a recent interview."The system today is built to service the clan, the family, and not society as a whole," Mr Klitschko said in a recent interview.
Mr Klitschko, nicknamed Dr Ironfist, holds a PhD in sports science and plans to run in the 2015 presidential elections.Mr Klitschko, nicknamed Dr Ironfist, holds a PhD in sports science and plans to run in the 2015 presidential elections.
However, his popularity has recently waned, with some Maidan activists criticising him for being indecisive and ready to strike deals with the authorities.
Oleh TyahnybokOleh Tyahnybok
The leader of the far-right Svoboda party (meaning Freedom), Oleh Tyahnybok, regularly appears alongside Mr Klitschko as one of the key protest participants.The leader of the far-right Svoboda party (meaning Freedom), Oleh Tyahnybok, regularly appears alongside Mr Klitschko as one of the key protest participants.
His movement was a shock success in the 2012 parliamentary election, becoming Ukraine's fourth-largest party, with 37 out of 450 parliamentary seats. His movement was a shock success in the last parliamentary election. It won 37 out of 450 parliamentary seats to become Ukraine's fourth-largest party.
Previously known as the "Social-National Party", Svoboda promotes itself as a fervent defender of traditional Ukrainian culture and language against foreign influence - and is seen by some as a fascist organisation.Previously known as the "Social-National Party", Svoboda promotes itself as a fervent defender of traditional Ukrainian culture and language against foreign influence - and is seen by some as a fascist organisation.
Mr Tyahnybok, who insists that Svoboda is neither xenophobic nor anti-Semitic, was expelled from parliament in 2004 for proclaiming that a "Muscovite-Jewish mafia" controlled the country.Mr Tyahnybok, who insists that Svoboda is neither xenophobic nor anti-Semitic, was expelled from parliament in 2004 for proclaiming that a "Muscovite-Jewish mafia" controlled the country.
On 1 January 2014, thousands of Svoboda supporters caused controversy when they held a torch-lit procession in Kiev to mark the birthday of a World War Two-era partisan leader.On 1 January 2014, thousands of Svoboda supporters caused controversy when they held a torch-lit procession in Kiev to mark the birthday of a World War Two-era partisan leader.
Some analysts believe the party's participation in the protests contributes to Ukraine's political divide, as their base of support is mainly in the country's west, while voters in the east and south view them as extremists.Some analysts believe the party's participation in the protests contributes to Ukraine's political divide, as their base of support is mainly in the country's west, while voters in the east and south view them as extremists.
FatherlandFatherland
Ukraine's second-largest party is led by the jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, an arch-rival of President Yanukovych. Ukraine's largest party after the disintegration of Mr Yanukovych's Party of Regions is led by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, an arch-rival of Mr Yanukovych.
A heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, she was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 for abuse of power. Supporters say this was simply Mr Yanukovych taking out his most prominent opponent. A heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, she was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 for abuse of power. Her supporters say this was simply Mr Yanukovych taking out his most prominent opponent.
The EU has demanded that Tymoshenko - who suffers ill health - be allowed to leave the country for treatment, and made this a pre-condition for signing its proposed trade deal with Ukraine. She was finally freed last week.
But MPs rejected the bill allowing her to leave the country, and shortly afterwards President Yanukovych announced he was ditching the EU agreement altogether. The EU had demanded that Tymoshenko - who suffers ill health - be allowed to leave the country for treatment, and made this a pre-condition for signing its proposed trade deal with Ukraine.
Tymoshenko has released several statements from jail, but imprisonment has stifled her voice. Tymoshenko remained politically active in jail, releasing several fiery statements rejecting any compromises with the Yanukovych authorities.
Many analysts still see her as the most likely challenger to Viktor Yanukovych - but critics say she is no solution to Ukraine's problems, and that her own hands are dirty. But imprisonment has stifled her voice, and there was no triumphant return when she finally appeared and spoke in front of the crowds on the Maidan last week.
Many analysts still see her as the most likely presidential challenger in snap elections on 25 May - but critics say she is no solution to Ukraine's problems, and that her own hands are dirty.
A close ally of Tymoshenko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk is the parliamentary leader of the Fatherland party, and has been its main negotiator during the protests.A close ally of Tymoshenko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk is the parliamentary leader of the Fatherland party, and has been its main negotiator during the protests.
The 39-year-old said there was "no deal" on the table despite being offered the post of prime minister by President Yanukovych. Instead, he vowed to press on with the protests until all demands had been met. The 39-year-old said there had been "no deal" on the table despite being offered the post of prime minister by Mr Yanukovych before he was ousted.
"We're finishing what we started. The people decide our leaders, not you," he said in a tweet directed at the president. Instead, Mr Yatsenyuk vowed to press on with the protests until all demands had been met.
"We're finishing what we started," he said in a tweet.
Like Mr Klitschko, Mr Yatsenyuk campaigns for EU integration and to rid Ukraine of corruption.Like Mr Klitschko, Mr Yatsenyuk campaigns for EU integration and to rid Ukraine of corruption.
The former lawyer has held top posts in previous governments, including foreign minister and deputy governor of the central bank. Mr Yatsenyuk unsuccessfully ran for president in 2010. The former lawyer has held top posts in previous governments, including foreign minister and governor of the central bank.
Ukraine's ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko made headlines in mid-January when he was badly hurt during clashes with police. Mr Yatsenyuk unsuccessfully ran for president in 2010.
A close ally of both Tymoshenko and Mr Yatsenyuk, Oleksandr Turchynov has now been elected parliamentary speaker and given responsibilities of acting president.
The 49-year-old held a number of key positions in the "Orange Revolution" government, including being in charge of the security services.
Mr Turchynov, who was injured in the face by shrapnel during clashes in Kiev, is expected to continue to play a prominent political role, but is not seen as a presidential contender.
The 48-year-old successful businessman was a prominent figure during and after the Orange revolution, holding key government positions - including that Ukraine's foreign minister.
Mr Poroshenko - nicknamed a "chocolate king" for his Roshen sweets - returned to parliament in 2012 as an independent.
During the latest unrest, his Channel 5 TV has played a key role in covering the most dramatic events.
Mr Poroshenko is seen by many as a "dark horse", who may bring about a few surprises.
Ukraine's ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko made headlines in mid-January when he was badly hurt during clashes with riot police.
Although the vocal opposition leader does not belong to any political party, he is closely affiliated with the Fatherland party.Although the vocal opposition leader does not belong to any political party, he is closely affiliated with the Fatherland party.
The 49-year-old's rise to prominence began with the Socialist Party in the early 1990s. He later became one of the most recognisable figures involved in the Orange Revolution, and a prominent member of Tymoshenko's pro-Western government.The 49-year-old's rise to prominence began with the Socialist Party in the early 1990s. He later became one of the most recognisable figures involved in the Orange Revolution, and a prominent member of Tymoshenko's pro-Western government.
Like Yulia Tymoshenko, he himself was jailed for abuse of office and embezzlement, but pardoned under EU pressure in April 2013.Like Yulia Tymoshenko, he himself was jailed for abuse of office and embezzlement, but pardoned under EU pressure in April 2013.
After leaving jail, he set up a "civic movement" called the Third Ukrainian Republic, which analysts say could be a sign of growing political ambitions.After leaving jail, he set up a "civic movement" called the Third Ukrainian Republic, which analysts say could be a sign of growing political ambitions.
The Maidan overall commander have been in the midst of all the most dramatic events in Kiev: helping his self-defence fighters to repel police attacks, building up barricades and organising the logistics of the camp.
The 43-year-old was wounded during the clashes, but stayed on with the activists.
He commands a huge respect among the protesters, but has so far not announced any plans to move into the new government structures.
Right SectorRight Sector
In the early days of the protests in Kiev, the most radical activists on Independence Square created the Right Sector movement, which have taken an active part in violent clashes with police. In the early days of the protests in Kiev, the most radical activists on Independence Square created the Right Sector movement, which has taken an active part in violent clashes with police.
The group consists mostly of young men with right-wing views. They come from different regions of Ukraine, and there are both Ukrainian and Russian-speaking people among them. Led by Dmytro Yarosh, the group consists mostly of young men with right-wing views. They come from different regions of Ukraine, and there are both Ukrainian- and Russian-speakers among them.
The members often wear masks, helmets and protection for their hands and feet, and carry sticks or iron bars in case of confrontation with riot police.The members often wear masks, helmets and protection for their hands and feet, and carry sticks or iron bars in case of confrontation with riot police.
Unlike other protesters, most of the Right Sector activists do not support the idea of joining the EU, which they consider to be an "oppressor of European nations".Unlike other protesters, most of the Right Sector activists do not support the idea of joining the EU, which they consider to be an "oppressor of European nations".
The organisation believes the current situation is an opportunity "to destroy the state skeleton" and start building a new state.The organisation believes the current situation is an opportunity "to destroy the state skeleton" and start building a new state.
The Right Sector does not associate itself with the nationalist Svoboda, which it considers to be too liberal and conformist.The Right Sector does not associate itself with the nationalist Svoboda, which it considers to be too liberal and conformist.
Groups at the sharp end of Ukraine unrest AutoMaidan
The group emerged soon after the unrest, with its driver-members helping ferrying food and medicine to the Maidan camp, and later also transporting the injured to hospitals.
Moving in motorcades, the AutoMaidan has provided an invaluable help with reconnaissance about police movements and has paid visits to the palatial residences of top Yanukovych figures - which proved to be highly embarrassing for the officials.
Dmytro Bulatov, one of the leaders of the group, was abducted and badly beaten by unknown assailants. He is currently being treated abroad.
Despite the removal of Mr Yanukovych, the AutoMaidan says it will stay "in opposition" to the new authorities, checking all their actions.