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Problems in Russia started in November of 2013 when the former President Viktor Yanukovych started cutting ties with the European Union and setting up new ones with Russia. Dmytro Yarosh is the radical organizer of the protests. Key events in the situation with Russia are:
- 21 November 2013 - President cuts ties with European Union and sets up closer ones with Russia; peaceful protests begin
- 30 November: Police violently break some protests made up by students
- 17 December: Russia offers $15 billion in loans to Ukraine though Ukranians look at it as Russia trying to buy off the former President Viktor Yanukovych
- 16 January 2014: Ukraine’s parliament passes some anti-protest laws though most are later repealed
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- 19-20 January: Intense clashes
- 22 January: First 3 deaths that have resulted from protests
- 23-24 January: Government buildings are seized by protesters as more protests spread eastward
- 28 January: Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his government resign
- 14-16 February: Amnesty deal is made between protesters and parliament, protesters leave government buildings as charges dropped to those arrested as a result of the protests
- 18 February: Parliament rejects changes to the constitution, more violent protests with many deaths
- 20 February: Independence Square and nearby streets erupt in violence; 77 people killed in 48 hour
People have been frustrated because:
- They weren’t happy with the former President Yanukovych.
- Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, which was part of Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s government’s response to the protests have been violent and deadly.
Social Media has played a role in Ukraine's situation in how Arsen Avakov, now the interim interior minister of Ukraine’s new government, posts on Facebook updates about the hunt for former President Yanukovych and other investigations before other sources can publish it.