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Ukraine in maps: How the crisis spread Ukraine in maps: How the crisis spread
(about 1 month later)
The crisis in Ukraine began in November last year when pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned a deal with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia.The crisis in Ukraine began in November last year when pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned a deal with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia.
Protests erupted in the capital Kiev and quickly escalated as government buildings were seized in cities across the western regions of Ukraine.Protests erupted in the capital Kiev and quickly escalated as government buildings were seized in cities across the western regions of Ukraine.
Protests in western Ukraine Protests in western Ukraine, January 2014
On 20 February at least 88 people were killed in 48 hours in Kiev.On 20 February at least 88 people were killed in 48 hours in Kiev.
Videos showed uniformed snipers firing at protesters holding makeshift shields. President Yanukovych signed a ceasefire deal with the opposition but then disappeared and parliament voted to remove him from power.Videos showed uniformed snipers firing at protesters holding makeshift shields. President Yanukovych signed a ceasefire deal with the opposition but then disappeared and parliament voted to remove him from power.
Ukraine has been torn between east and west since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. While Ukrainian is the main language in western regions, Russian is predominant in parts of the east and south.Ukraine has been torn between east and west since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. While Ukrainian is the main language in western regions, Russian is predominant in parts of the east and south.
The division is also reflected in voting patterns. Mr Yanukovych received most support in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine in the 2010 election.The division is also reflected in voting patterns. Mr Yanukovych received most support in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine in the 2010 election.
Protests spread south to CrimeaProtests spread south to Crimea
On 27-28 February pro-Russian gunmen seized key buildings in the Crimean capital, Simferopol.On 27-28 February pro-Russian gunmen seized key buildings in the Crimean capital, Simferopol.
Within days the parliament voted to join Russia and called a referendum. Within days parliament voted to join Russia and called a referendum.
Russia later admitted that its military had helped the Crimea insurgents.
The majority of Crimea's 2.3 million population identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian - a legacy of Russia's 200-year involvement in the region.The majority of Crimea's 2.3 million population identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian - a legacy of Russia's 200-year involvement in the region.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet also has its historic base in the Crimean coastal city of Sevastopol.Russia's Black Sea Fleet also has its historic base in the Crimean coastal city of Sevastopol.
On 16 March, 97% of voters reportedly backed the proposal to join Russia. That figure was later disputed, with leaked documents showing only 50-60% support for the move.On 16 March, 97% of voters reportedly backed the proposal to join Russia. That figure was later disputed, with leaked documents showing only 50-60% support for the move.
The EU and US condemned the "annexation" of Crimea and imposed sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian officials. The EU and US condemned the annexation of Crimea and imposed a first round of sanctions on Russian officials and high-ranking Moscow allies in Ukraine.
Trouble spreads eastTrouble spreads east
Pro-Russian sentiment is strong in eastern regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine's industrial heartland. After the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Crimea, there were reports of large numbers of Russian troops gathering just over the border.Pro-Russian sentiment is strong in eastern regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine's industrial heartland. After the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Crimea, there were reports of large numbers of Russian troops gathering just over the border.
On 7 April protesters occupied government buildings in the eastern cities of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv.On 7 April protesters occupied government buildings in the eastern cities of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv.
Although the Kharkiv building was retaken the following day, the occupations spread to other cities, and a number of pro-Russian leaders declared that referendums on granting greater autonomy to eastern regions would be held on 11 May. Although Kharkiv was retaken the following day, the occupations spread to other cities, and a number of pro-Russian leaders declared that referendums on granting greater autonomy to eastern regions would be held.
On 17 April, the US, EU, Russia and Ukraine reached a deal in Geneva to "de-escalate" the crisis quickly, but the agreement quickly unravelled. Towns targeted by separatists, April 2014
On 25 April eight Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) military observers were detained by pro-Russian separatists near Sloviansk, accused of being spies.
They were eventually released after a week in captivity. But violent clashes continued in the city.
Dozens die in Odessa
On 2 May the conflict moved to the Black Sea city of Odessa where at least 46 pro-Russian activists were killed when a trade union building they had sought refuge in caught fire.
The trouble in Odessa erupted as, further east, Ukrainian forces began to challenge pro-Russian insurgents more aggressively, in many places winning back territory.
Eastern referendumEastern referendum
On 7 May Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that referendums on independence for eastern regions should be postponed. On 11 May pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after the referendums, which were not recognised by Kiev or the West.
However a day later, pro-Russian activists in Donetsk and Luhansk said that they would go ahead with their planned votes, with millions of ballot papers printed. A build-up of Russian troops on the shared border in April sparked concern that another annexation could take place.
The interim Ukrainian Government said it would ignore the outcome of any vote, and press ahead with its "anti-terror" operations against the separatists.
The EU said that any vote "could have no democratic legitimacy and would only worsen the situation".
Presidential electionPresidential election
Elections for a new president in Ukraine were held on 25 May resulting in confectionary tycoon Petro Poroshenko being elected with over 55% of the vote, although no polling stations were open in Donetsk city and several other locations. Elections for a new president in Ukraine were held on 25 May resulting in confectionery tycoon Petro Poroshenko being elected with over 55% of the vote, although no polling stations were open in Donetsk city and several other locations.
On 20 June President Poroshenko announced a 15-point peace plan and declared a week-long truce. It held for a few days until a military helicopter was shot down over eastern Ukraine.On 20 June President Poroshenko announced a 15-point peace plan and declared a week-long truce. It held for a few days until a military helicopter was shot down over eastern Ukraine.
With a government offensive launched once more, on 5 July rebels abandoned strongholds in the north of Donetsk region, withdrawing to a much-reduced pocket of insurgency in the south. With a government offensive launched once more, on 5 July rebels abandoned strongholds in the north of Donetsk region, withdrawing to a smaller area of insurgency in the south.
Malaysia Airlines tragedy, 17 July 2014
On 17 July Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam was shot down near the village of Grabove in rebel-held territory close to the border with Russia.
Almost 300 people were killed in the crash - everybody aboard the airliner. Western nations blamed a Russian-supplied missile, believed to have been fired by rebels.
Russia denied it had armed the rebels and argued instead that a Ukrainian fighter jet had flown near the airliner at the time.
Ukraine insists Russian regular forces are involved in the fighting in Ukraine. It has also accused the Russian authorities of allowing well-trained volunteers and heavy weapons to cross the border to help the rebels. Russia dismissed those accusations, yet the rebel leader in Donetsk said many Russian soldiers had joined the rebel cause.
New front
Ukrainian forces made gains in some areas previously held by the rebels. But on 27 August the rebels - allegedly backed by Russian heavy armour - opened up a new front on the coast, seizing the town of Novoazovsk and threatening the strategic port city of Mariupol.
Ukrainian and Russian officials opened talks with separatist leaders and international monitors in Minsk on 1 September. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he wanted the talks to focus on "agreeing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire".
The first face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mr Poroshenko on 26 August failed to make progress.
Nato has announced it is assembling a "readiness force" in response to Russia's actions over Ukraine. Details are to be confirmed at a summit meeting in Wales, which starts on 4 September.
About 2,600 people have been killed in the fighting since mid-April (not including the passengers and crew involved in the MH17 plane crash), according to a UN report on 29 August.
Nearly 350,000 people have fled their homes - about 190,000 have gone to Russia.
Ukraine's economic tiesUkraine's economic ties
Ukraine has economic ties to both the EU and Russia. The EU and US have imposed asset freezes and travel bans on many senior Russian officials and separatist leaders.
It imports most of its gas and oil from Russia - and because energy has been heavily subsidised the country has become overly-reliant on fuel imports. Further sanctions were announced on 29 July following the downing of Flight MH17.
About one-third of Europe's gas also comes from Russia - about half of it through Ukraine. The EU has now threatened more sanctions against Russia, unless it stops supporting the rebels.
Ukraine is heavily in debt. A rescue package agreed with Russia was cancelled after the protesters forced out Mr Yanukovych. Ukraine's trade volumes with the EU and Russia are quite similar.
The International Monetary Fund has now approved a $17.1 bn (£10.1 bn) bailout for Ukraine the help the country's struggling economy. With funds from other donors, including the EU, the total package will be worth £32.1bn. It imports most of its gas and oil from Russia. About one-third of Europe's gas also comes from Russia - about half of it through Ukraine.
Ukraine is heavily in debt. A rescue package offered by Russia was cancelled after the protesters forced out Mr Yanukovych.
The International Monetary Fund has now approved a $17.1 bn (£10.1 bn) bailout for Ukraine. With funds from other donors, including the EU, the total package will be worth £32.1bn.
But the loan is dependent on strict economic reforms, including raising taxes and energy prices, which are unlikely to prove popular with voters.But the loan is dependent on strict economic reforms, including raising taxes and energy prices, which are unlikely to prove popular with voters.