On the anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity, the UAPF recalls how Odesa became part of the struggle for Ukraine's independence. The city, which is often called the pearl by the sea, was then on the verge of a transition between a European pro-Ukrainian future and a Russian past. In this article, we describe how Odessans fought for their freedom, and supplement the text with photographs by documentary filmmaker Oleksandr Himanov, who witnessed these events.
At the beginning of 2014, the south and east of Ukraine were at the epicenter of pro-Russian protests. In Odesa, where Anti-Maidan demanded friendship with Russia, the situation was tense on a daily basis. Supporters of rapprochement with Russia camped out on Kulikovo Field, organizing rallies and provocations, spreading the ideas of the “Russian world.”
One of the first significant incidents was an attack by “titushky” on February 19, 2014, on a peaceful rally “Don't shoot!” near the regional state administration. Armed with batons, the young men beat the protesters and journalists and damaged equipment. This attack was organized by pro-Russian forces: first, the “titushky” were accommodated in a local sanatorium, and then brought to the RSA by bus.
On March 3, pro-Russian activists blocked members of the regional council who were condemning Russia's invasion of Crimea. They raised the Russian flag over the regional state administration, but pro-Ukrainian Odessans managed to get it removed.
The bloodiest events took place on May 2, 2014. Pro-Ukrainian Odessans, together with football fans, planned to hold a peaceful march “For the Unity of Ukraine”. Instead, supporters of friendship with the Russian Federation, in violation of the agreement, attacked the marchers. Clashes on Greek Square led to the first deaths. The crowd then moved to Kulikovo Pole, where pro-Russian activists barricaded themselves in the Trade Union Building. Shooting began, with Molotov cocktails flying from both sides. The building caught fire. As a result of this clash, 48 people died: 6 - on Greek Square, 42 - on Kulikovo Field. About 200 people were injured.
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After these tragic events, pro-Russian rallies in Odesa lost support, but the city remained under the sights of propaganda and destabilizing actions.
The UAPF has published an article about this earlier: Mass deaths in Odesa. Confrontation between Euromaidan participants and pro-Russian Anti-Maidan in the photos of Oleg Kutsky
Today, the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers publishes archival footage by Oleksandr Himanov, taken in the midst of these events, which conveys the atmosphere of those days - the determination and solidarity of Odesa residents.
“Back then, Odesa was very tense,” Oleksandr recalls. ”There seemed to be fewer people supporting Ukraine than in the pro-Russian camp. But that's because most of the most active Odessans had left for Kyiv to join the Maidan protests. In contrast, Anti-Maidan was mostly composed of the elderly, marginalized people and those who did not understand what they were standing for.”
The appearance of a large number of Russian journalists was particularly alarming. “It was a signal that Russia was actively interfering. When they raised the tricolor over the regional council, it became clear that provocations would increase,” says Himanov.
One of the most acute moments was the attack on journalists and activists on February 19. “They brought 'titushky' - athletes from the south of the region - to the RSA. Their task was to disperse everyone: protesters, journalists, anyone who opposed Yanukovych's government. They even had stickers on their helmets that said “Maidan will not pass,” the photographer recalls.
“That day there was a massive brawl: my colleague got his forehead smashed, another one had his arm broken, and the camera of an Inter TV cameraman was smashed. It was a real nightmare, because the police did absolutely nothing to stop the violence,” Oleksandr recalls.
The photographer notes that the Euromaidan in Odesa differed from the pro-Russian Anti-Maidan not only in ideas but also in mood: “The Maidan always had a very positive atmosphere. People wanted change, wanted to go to Europe, and came with their families. Even the idea to rename Catherine Square to European Square was a symbol of their aspirations.”
“According to the photographer, Anti-Maidan looked quite different. “There were aggressive people there who did not understand what they wanted. They advocated 'friendship with Russia', but in reality it was a cover. Their actions were often organized by local elites who did not want to allow the Kyiv events to be repeated,” he adds.
The events of May 2, 2014 were decisive in the confrontation. “It was the defeat of Anti-Maidan, which changed the situation in Odesa forever. If it wasn't for that day, no one knows how it would have ended,” says Himanov. He believes that this moment was the key to the fact that the “Russian world” failed to take root in Odesa.
The photographer is convinced that the Maidan in Odesa won thanks to the unity of its participants. “Euromaidan was more united, there was a greater understanding of the common goal. “Anti-Maidan, on the other hand, was chaotic and lacked a clear vision. In addition, the local elites, fortunately, did not support pro-Russian sentiments, and this also played an important role,” concludes Oleksandr.
Oleksandr Himanov was born and lives in Odesa. Since 2009, he has been working as a photojournalist and correspondent for the regional online publication Dumskaya.net, documenting the life of his hometown. He collaborates with regional and national media, as well as international photo agencies. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he has been documenting the consequences of Russian aggression in southern Ukraine. The photographer's Instagram.
On the anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity, the UAPF recalls how Odesa became part of the struggle for Ukraine's independence. The city, which is often called the pearl by the sea, was then on the verge of a transition between a European pro-Ukrainian future and a Russian past. In this article, we describe how Odessans fought for their freedom, and supplement the text with photographs by documentary filmmaker Oleksandr Himanov, who witnessed these events.
At the beginning of 2014, the south and east of Ukraine were at the epicenter of pro-Russian protests. In Odesa, where Anti-Maidan demanded friendship with Russia, the situation was tense on a daily basis. Supporters of rapprochement with Russia camped out on Kulikovo Field, organizing rallies and provocations, spreading the ideas of the “Russian world.”
One of the first significant incidents was an attack by “titushky” on February 19, 2014, on a peaceful rally “Don't shoot!” near the regional state administration. Armed with batons, the young men beat the protesters and journalists and damaged equipment. This attack was organized by pro-Russian forces: first, the “titushky” were accommodated in a local sanatorium, and then brought to the RSA by bus.
On March 3, pro-Russian activists blocked members of the regional council who were condemning Russia's invasion of Crimea. They raised the Russian flag over the regional state administration, but pro-Ukrainian Odessans managed to get it removed.
The bloodiest events took place on May 2, 2014. Pro-Ukrainian Odessans, together with football fans, planned to hold a peaceful march “For the Unity of Ukraine”. Instead, supporters of friendship with the Russian Federation, in violation of the agreement, attacked the marchers. Clashes on Greek Square led to the first deaths. The crowd then moved to Kulikovo Pole, where pro-Russian activists barricaded themselves in the Trade Union Building. Shooting began, with Molotov cocktails flying from both sides. The building caught fire. As a result of this clash, 48 people died: 6 - on Greek Square, 42 - on Kulikovo Field. About 200 people were injured.
After these tragic events, pro-Russian rallies in Odesa lost support, but the city remained under the sights of propaganda and destabilizing actions.
The UAPF has published an article about this earlier: Mass deaths in Odesa. Confrontation between Euromaidan participants and pro-Russian Anti-Maidan in the photos of Oleg Kutsky
Today, the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers publishes archival footage by Oleksandr Himanov, taken in the midst of these events, which conveys the atmosphere of those days - the determination and solidarity of Odesa residents.
“Back then, Odesa was very tense,” Oleksandr recalls. ”There seemed to be fewer people supporting Ukraine than in the pro-Russian camp. But that's because most of the most active Odessans had left for Kyiv to join the Maidan protests. In contrast, Anti-Maidan was mostly composed of the elderly, marginalized people and those who did not understand what they were standing for.”
The appearance of a large number of Russian journalists was particularly alarming. “It was a signal that Russia was actively interfering. When they raised the tricolor over the regional council, it became clear that provocations would increase,” says Himanov.
One of the most acute moments was the attack on journalists and activists on February 19. “They brought 'titushky' - athletes from the south of the region - to the RSA. Their task was to disperse everyone: protesters, journalists, anyone who opposed Yanukovych's government. They even had stickers on their helmets that said “Maidan will not pass,” the photographer recalls.
“That day there was a massive brawl: my colleague got his forehead smashed, another one had his arm broken, and the camera of an Inter TV cameraman was smashed. It was a real nightmare, because the police did absolutely nothing to stop the violence,” Oleksandr recalls.
The photographer notes that the Euromaidan in Odesa differed from the pro-Russian Anti-Maidan not only in ideas but also in mood: “The Maidan always had a very positive atmosphere. People wanted change, wanted to go to Europe, and came with their families. Even the idea to rename Catherine Square to European Square was a symbol of their aspirations.”
“According to the photographer, Anti-Maidan looked quite different. “There were aggressive people there who did not understand what they wanted. They advocated 'friendship with Russia', but in reality it was a cover. Their actions were often organized by local elites who did not want to allow the Kyiv events to be repeated,” he adds.
The events of May 2, 2014 were decisive in the confrontation. “It was the defeat of Anti-Maidan, which changed the situation in Odesa forever. If it wasn't for that day, no one knows how it would have ended,” says Himanov. He believes that this moment was the key to the fact that the “Russian world” failed to take root in Odesa.
The photographer is convinced that the Maidan in Odesa won thanks to the unity of its participants. “Euromaidan was more united, there was a greater understanding of the common goal. “Anti-Maidan, on the other hand, was chaotic and lacked a clear vision. In addition, the local elites, fortunately, did not support pro-Russian sentiments, and this also played an important role,” concludes Oleksandr.
Oleksandr Himanov was born and lives in Odesa. Since 2009, he has been working as a photojournalist and correspondent for the regional online publication Dumskaya.net, documenting the life of his hometown. He collaborates with regional and national media, as well as international photo agencies. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he has been documenting the consequences of Russian aggression in southern Ukraine. The photographer's Instagram.
UAPP is an independent association of professional Ukrainian photographers, designed to protect their interests, support, develop and promote Ukrainian photography as an important element of national culture.
UAPP's activities span educational, social, research and cultural initiatives, as well as book publishing.
UAPP represents Ukrainian professional photography in the international photographic community and is an official member of the Federation of European Photographers (FEP) — an international organization representing more than 50,000 professional photographers in Europe and other countries around the world.
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