Dear friends,

it has been three months since the confrontation of the President Viktor Yanukovych with the people of Ukraine began. Yesterday the conflict took on a threatening form. Current situation may result in a civil war. Thus we take it upon ourselves to inform you about the events in Ukraine. We will provide you with yet another viewpoint regarding this conflict. We will do our best to remain fair and objective.

Last night (February 19th) President Yanukovych gave out the order to start partially clearing the protester’s camp at the Maidan. Kyiv subway was blocked. An attempt is made to block the whole city. All of this is being done without declaring the state of emergency, which is provided for in the Constitution of Ukraine. There are not enough votes in the Party of Regions in order to establish the state of emergency. Therefore President Yanukovych neglected to adhere to the Constitution once again. The protesters remained at Maidan during the night of 18-19th of February. According to preliminary data twenty protesters were killed and hundreds wounded. At this point in time militia occupies one third of the Maidan. Fierce confrontation continues.

Last night (February 19th) President Yanukovych met with the leaders of the opposition Vitali Klitschko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Oleh Tyahnybok – he believes that the only solution to current situation is unilateral surrender on behalf of the protesters.

Last night (February 19th) President Yanukovych lost control over Western Ukraine. In Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil oblasts, the protesters occupied oblast state administrations, militia departments, public prosecutor’s offices, and security services departments. The oblasts have established People’s Councils, which accept the responsibility for corresponding oblasts and are in control of all executive authorities. People’s Councils have been established based on legitimate oblasts councils. Militia is crossing over and starts supporting People’s Councils. Most rayon militia offices in Lviv region have declared that they support the people of Ukraine and are governed by the People’s Council.

This is the first time in the history of Ukraine, where there is a conflict between the people of Ukraine and the army. President Yanukovych has dragged both sides into this conflict. Anatoliy Grystenko, former Minister of Defense of Ukraine has announced that Pavlo Lebedyev, Minister of Defence of Ukraine ordered a transfer of the fully armed airborne brigade from Dnipropetrovsk (500 persons) to Kyiv.

Maidan Community Council, Lviv

19. 02 2014