Maidan 2014-2024: ten years on the Independence Square in Kyiv

The Revolution of Dignity continues. The air is electrified; Ukrainians still have something to fight for. Dozens of protesters are still imprisoned, and clashes between special forces and protesters continue; the latter are trying to establish a dialogue with the authorities and protect the interests of the people of Ukraine. The darkest days of Maidan are ahead, but this one is relatively quiet. Even here, in the heart of the revolution.

Wherever Russia goes, political prisoners inevitably appear. Ukraine still does not have accurate data on how many Ukrainian political prisoners Russia currently holds — there was also none in 2016 when Russia was actively imprisoning Ukrainian citizens in Crimea. Yet, the names of those known to be imprisoned for sure sounded loud. The photo above shows a rally supporting political prisoners. It was initiated by Hennadii Afanasyev, himself a former political prisoner. Afanasyev also stood in defense of Ukraine and died on December 18, 2022, in the Luhansk region.

On August 24, 2017, a military parade was held in Kyiv for Independence Day. At that time, 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers took part in it, of which about a thousand were participants in the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas. During the parade, the military showed 70 samples of military equipment, of which 25 were completely new for the Ukrainian army. The photo shows a rehearsal of the Independence Day parade.

January 1 is the day when Ukrainians remember Stepan Bandera, a mid-20th century fighter for Ukrainian independence. In 2018, the people of Kyiv took part in a torchlight march on Independence Square on the occasion of the 109th anniversary of the birth of the Hero of Ukraine.

In 2019, the capital celebrated Kyiv Day on May 26. At the same time, Ukraine's largest sports and charity event was held here — "Chestnut Run."  Eighteen thousand participants and a record number of corporate teams — 500 — took part in the run.

Maidan is a place of historical landslides in Ukraine, a place of people, strength, and life. During the war with Russia, it has also become a place of farewell. The photo above shows a farewell to the fallen soldier Taras Matviiv, a journalist who participated in the Revolution of Dignity and stood up for the defense of Ukraine in the army as a volunteer back in 2015. The people of Kyiv, his relatives, friends, and comrades came to say goodbye on Independence Square. On the eve of the farewell, Taras Matviiv was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

Every year on November 21, the Dignity and Freedom Day is celebrated in Ukraine in honor of the beginning of two revolutions: the Orange Revolution, which began on November 22, 2004, and the Revolution of Dignity, which grew out of the action of students and public activists, which began on November 21, 2013. Every year on this day, Ukrainians honor those who defended the country's future during revolutions and paid for it with their lives.

Less than a month ago, a full-scale war broke out in Ukraine. Kyiv is a city under the constant attack of the Russian Federation. Most residents evacuated, and part of the region is under occupation. Fighting continues.

The center of Kyiv, like its main square, is almost empty — closed shops, cafes, and no public transport. Roadblocks have been set up on Maidan, and military personnel are on duty. Anti-tank hedgehogs stand where the city lived peacefully only a month ago.

A full-scale war lasts a year. More and more often, unfortunately, farewells to fallen soldiers take place on Maidan. The photo above shows a farewell to Bijan Sharapov. He died in the spring of 2022 near Izyum in the Kharkiv region, liberating the region from the Russian invaders. He was considered missing since April. His death was only confirmed in February thanks to a DNA test.

Sharopov was a biologist and a participant in the Revolution of Dignity. For the first time, he stood up for the defense of Ukraine in 2014-2015, when he fought in the Luhansk region as part of the Aidar battalion.

February 20 is the day of commemoration of the fallen participants of the Revolution of Dignity. Ten years have passed since that day. Ukraine still has to fight for the right to exist. Ukrainians defend it with weapons in their hands.

Ukraine remembers all those who gave their lives for its future. Honor and glory.