November 22, 2004

The Orange Revolution

In November-December 2004, the Orange Revolution takes place in Ukraine.

A wave of so-called “color revolutions” for democratic values is rolling through the mainland (Serbia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan).

The Orange Revolution is a protest of Ukrainian citizens caused by massive falsification of the 2004 presidential election in favor of pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych.

Citizens who care about the fate of Ukraine gather under the orange flags. There are the intellectual and political elite, students, and teachers.

Viktor Yushchenko’s victory marks a point of irreversible political change in neighboring Russia and, as a result, Vladimir Putin’s usurpation of power with his allies in order to suppress democratic freedoms.

Russia doesn’t neglect any methods: even during Yushchenko’s rule, it shut off Ukraine’s gas tap twice, in 2006 and 2009, disrupting transit supplies to Europe.