Revolution of Dignity in Zaporizhzhia Region (November 2013 – February 2014)

Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to characterize and analyze the events of the Revolution of Dignity that occurred in the territory of Zaporizhzhia oblast from November 2013 to February 2014.

The scientific novelty is in the fact that the work is the first attempt to study comprehensively the events of the Revolution of Dignity in the territory of Zaporizhzhia oblast (November 2013 – February 2014). When preparing the paper, materials from interviews with participants of the Revolution of Dignity were used, and the events of Euromaidan and Antymaidan in the largest cities and towns of Zaporizhzhia oblast were analyzed: Zaporizhzhia, Polohy, Berdiansk, Melitopol, Enerhodar, and Vasylivka.

Conclusions. It has been found in the study that the events of the Revolution of Dignity covered the territory of Zaporizhzhia oblast from November 2013 to February 2014. The participation of residents of Zaporizhzhia oblast in the Revolution of Dignity was significant. The population of Zaporizhzhia, Polohy, Berdiansk, Melitopol, Vasylivka, and Enerhodar actively joined rallies, actions, and protests, expressing their dissatisfaction with the political situation in the country and demanding democratic changes. The number of participants in rallies in different cities and towns of the oblast ranged from 50 to 5,000 protesters.

The Antymaidan movement was opposed to Euromaidan. Most demonstrations were small in number, and mainly occurred near the monuments to V. Lenin from November 2013 to February 2014. Pro-Russian forces popularized the ideas and slogans of the ‘Russian World’ and ‘Russia – the single homeland of all Slavic peoples’. Calls were spread to Russia to ‘become the guarantor of stability in Ukraine’ and ‘cleanse the city of Banderites’.

In general, three stages of the Revolution of Dignity in Zaporizhzhia oblast can be distinguished: Stage 1 (November 2013) was characterized by small-scale demonstrations of the cities and towns of Zaporizhzhia oblast population in support of the association with the EU; during November 2013, the formation of opposing sides of pro-European and pro-Russian forces in the region took place; on the social networks Vkontakte and Facebook the population of Zaporizhzhia, Berdiansk, Polohy, and Vasylivka spread information about the first pro-European meetings; Stage 2 (December 2013 – January 2014) – protest rallies were held against the crackdown of Kyiv Maidan; in Zaporizhzhia, Berdiansk, Polohy, and Melitopol, Euromaidan forces were concentrated around the desire for a pro-European future and opposition to the Antymaidan; Stage 3 (February 2014) – victory of Euromaidan forces and defeat of pro-Russian political elites, titushky, and militia in Zaporizhzhia oblast.