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Ukraine in maps: How the crisis spread | |
(2 months 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, January 2014 | 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. |
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 Crimea | Protests 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 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. | 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 a first round of sanctions on Russian officials and high-ranking Moscow allies in Ukraine. | 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 east | Trouble 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 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. | 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. |
Towns targeted by separatists, April 2014 | Towns targeted by separatists, April 2014 |
Eastern referendum | Eastern referendum |
On 11 May pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after the referendums, which were not recognised by Kiev or the West. | On 11 May pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after the referendums, which were not recognised by Kiev or the West. |
A build-up of Russian troops on the shared border in April sparked concern that another annexation could take place. | A build-up of Russian troops on the shared border in April sparked concern that another annexation could take place. |
Presidential election | Presidential election |
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. | 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 smaller area 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 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. |
Ceasefire | |
A ceasefire was agreed on 5 September between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in the east. It almost collapsed just four days later when fighting erupted around Donetsk airport. | |
The battle for the airport has continued with the Ukrainians remaining in control, although the airport is now so badly damaged it can no longer handle flights. | |
Elsewhere in the east there have been repeated violations of the truce. | |
Nato announced on 4 September it was setting up a rapid reaction force in response to Russia's actions over Ukraine. | |
Fresh elections | |
On 26 October Ukrainians voted for a new parliament. Pro-West parties triumphed but the polls were boycotted in the rebel-held east - which went on to hold its own elections on 2 November. | |
Two pro-Russian leaders were declared the winners - but President Petro Poroshenko immediately threatened to scrap a law - agreed under the 5 September truce - which gave special status to Donetsk and Luhansk. | |
Ukraine's economic ties | Ukraine's economic ties |
The EU and US have imposed a series of asset freezes and travel bans on many senior Russian officials and separatist leaders. | |
But at least six Russian companies, including the state oil giant Rosneft and two of the country's biggest banks, have now filed complaints against the sanctions at the European Court. | |
Ukraine imports much of its gas and oil from Russia. About a quarter of Europe's gas also comes from Russia. | |
In October, Ukraine, Russia and the EU signed a deal for Moscow to resume vital gas supplies - cut off since June - in return for Kiev settling its debts, with the EU acting as guarantor. | |
The EU has also agreed to postpone the implementation of a free trade deal with Ukraine until January 2016, which is being seen as a concession to Russia. | |
Ukraine is still heavily in debt. A rescue package offered by Russia earlier in the year was cancelled after the protesters forced out Mr Yanukovych. | |
The International Monetary Fund approved a $17.1 bn (£10.1 bn) bailout for Ukraine in April. With funds from other donors, including the EU, the total package will be worth £32.1bn. | |
But the loan was dependent on strict economic reforms, including raising taxes and energy prices. | |
In September the IMF warned the Ukraine could need a further $19bn in emergency funding if there was no resolution to the conflict. |