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| Ukraine crisis: Moscow rally against 'coup' one year on | Ukraine crisis: Moscow rally against 'coup' one year on |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A rally has taken place in Moscow to condemn the "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine, a year after the downfall of its pro-Russian president. | A rally has taken place in Moscow to condemn the "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine, a year after the downfall of its pro-Russian president. |
| Russian state media heavily promoted the rally and march with the slogan "We won't forget! We won't forgive!". | Russian state media heavily promoted the rally and march with the slogan "We won't forget! We won't forgive!". |
| Ukraine's protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. | Ukraine's protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. |
| Speaking on Russian TV, the ex-leader condemned "lawlessness" in Ukraine, saying the situation there had caused him "very many sleepless nights". | Speaking on Russian TV, the ex-leader condemned "lawlessness" in Ukraine, saying the situation there had caused him "very many sleepless nights". |
| Since Mr Yanukovych's departure, Russia has annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and is accused of backing rebels in eastern Ukraine. | Since Mr Yanukovych's departure, Russia has annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and is accused of backing rebels in eastern Ukraine. |
| A ceasefire plan agreed this month in Minsk has appeared close to collapse since taking effect just over a week ago. | A ceasefire plan agreed this month in Minsk has appeared close to collapse since taking effect just over a week ago. |
| The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers. Independent experts echo that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers". | The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers. Independent experts echo that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers". |
| Nearly 5,700 people have died since the fighting erupted last April and some 1.5 million people have fled their homes, according to the UN. | Nearly 5,700 people have died since the fighting erupted last April and some 1.5 million people have fled their homes, according to the UN. |
| In developments on Saturday: | In developments on Saturday: |
| 'Anti-Maidan' | 'Anti-Maidan' |
| Groups of demonstrators gathered in central Moscow on Saturday under patriotic Russian banners. | Groups of demonstrators gathered in central Moscow on Saturday under patriotic Russian banners. |
| Police estimated that about 35,000 people in total took part. | Police estimated that about 35,000 people in total took part. |
| The Moscow event was styled as an "anti-Maidan" march - a reference to Ukraine's pro-EU protests that started on Kiev's central Independence Square, widely known as the Maidan. | The Moscow event was styled as an "anti-Maidan" march - a reference to Ukraine's pro-EU protests that started on Kiev's central Independence Square, widely known as the Maidan. |
| The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, at the scene, says the event was highly organised, with flags and banners distributed and buses laid on from some provinces. | |
| The marchers included Cossacks in full uniform and young women in anoraks emblazoned with pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin, she says. | |
| Among those at the rally was Ukrainian rebel politician Oleg Tsarev, who marched alongside the leader of Russia's Night Wolves motorcycle club, Alexander "The Surgeon" Zaldostanov, a prominent Russian nationalist. | Among those at the rally was Ukrainian rebel politician Oleg Tsarev, who marched alongside the leader of Russia's Night Wolves motorcycle club, Alexander "The Surgeon" Zaldostanov, a prominent Russian nationalist. |
| One group of marchers in military fatigues could be seen with a placard which read "Maidan is an illness - we're going to cure it!" Another placard read "Maidan benefits the enemies of Russia!" | One group of marchers in military fatigues could be seen with a placard which read "Maidan is an illness - we're going to cure it!" Another placard read "Maidan benefits the enemies of Russia!" |
| Our correspondent says many people at the march blame America and Europe for engineering regime change in Ukraine. | Our correspondent says many people at the march blame America and Europe for engineering regime change in Ukraine. |
| They fear Moscow is the next target, and said they were marching to show they will not allow that. | |
| The anti-Yanukovych revolt was triggered by a sudden U-turn that ditched a wide-ranging pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. | The anti-Yanukovych revolt was triggered by a sudden U-turn that ditched a wide-ranging pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. |
| Since Mr Yanukovych fled Kiev, the new authorities in Ukraine have issued an arrest warrant for him over the "mass murder of peaceful citizens". | Since Mr Yanukovych fled Kiev, the new authorities in Ukraine have issued an arrest warrant for him over the "mass murder of peaceful citizens". |
| President Poroshenko accused Russia on Friday of direct involvement in the sniper fire that killed dozens of protesters in Kiev on 18-20 February last year. | President Poroshenko accused Russia on Friday of direct involvement in the sniper fire that killed dozens of protesters in Kiev on 18-20 February last year. |
| Speaking at a commemorative gathering in Kiev, he said Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov had organised "groups of foreign snipers". The Russian foreign ministry hit back at the claim, calling it "nonsense". | Speaking at a commemorative gathering in Kiev, he said Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov had organised "groups of foreign snipers". The Russian foreign ministry hit back at the claim, calling it "nonsense". |
| Mr Poroshenko was speaking just two days after his army retreated from Debaltseve, now in rebel hands. | Mr Poroshenko was speaking just two days after his army retreated from Debaltseve, now in rebel hands. |
| The rebels took the strategic transport hub in spite of the ceasefire signed on 12 February, arguing the truce did not apply to the flash-point town. | The rebels took the strategic transport hub in spite of the ceasefire signed on 12 February, arguing the truce did not apply to the flash-point town. |
| Are you attending the rally in Moscow? Are you in Ukraine and affected by the recent unrest? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number. | Are you attending the rally in Moscow? Are you in Ukraine and affected by the recent unrest? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number. |
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