Winter On Fire: Ukraine's Fight For Freedom

If you watch only one more thing on Netflix, watch Winter On Fire. This documentary about Ukraine's fight for freedom will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I never knew I could feel so many different things in only one hour and thirty-eight minutes. I felt anger at the Ukrainian government. I felt sadness for the pain and suffering that these peaceful people went through. But I also felt a lot of anger towards myself. Why didn't I know about this? It only happened two years ago.

In 2004, Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russian candidate ran for the Ukrainian presidency and won. After questioning the trueness of the election, the Orange Revolution succeeded and got him withdrawn from office. However, Yanukovych was not done and ran again in 2010 and won the nomination. Yanukovych won the election by promising to make Ukraine part of the European Union, however, he was untrue to his word. This is where the revolution begins.

Instead of signing an agreement with the EU, the Ukrainian government began negotiations with Russia, basically signing away the future of Ukraine. Maidan was formed. Maidan stands for independence. What started as a peaceful protest in a city square quickly turned into a full fledged war in a matter of months. Maidan quickly became a fortress of people unified against the government.

Berkut, the military forces in Ukraine, were dispatched to disband the protestors. Keep in mind, these protestors were peaceful. They were only holding sign, not weapons. I had to cover my eyes while watching this documentary too many times. I can't watch violent situations. I couldn't keep my eyes on the screen while seeing Berkut attacking individuals with iron sticks. People who only wanted freedom and equal opportunity. I saw too many puddles of blood, battered faces and crying people. It was even speculated that the Berkut hired antagonists to pose as protestors and attack police officers and military officials. These antagonists would give the "law enforcement" workers a reason to "defend" themselves against the protestors.

One of the most horrific things that saw in this documentary were groups of Titushky men. Titushky men are violent men, mostly ex-cons. The government releases these men and pays them (PAYS THEM) to beat protestors.

The government had no mercy. As some protestors stated, "they were not acting like human beings."
Religious officials who were only praying were shot at and attacked. Red cross workers who only wanted to help injured people were shot in the leg.

All of this suffering and injustice was thankfully worth something. In February of 2014, Yanukovych is seen fleeing Ukraine and seeks asylum in Russia (surprise, surprise). Ukraine still suffered afterwards. Putin and Yanukovych worked together to build Pro-Russian troops that have worked to take over Crimea. They've also began invading Eastern Ukraine, killing nearly 6,000 people.

The fight in Maidan is over, but Ukraine's fight for full independence is definitely not. Civil rights are not being recognized for millions of people. This needs to stop. Why do we keep trying to resolve our issues with violence and guns?

stay peaceful (and informed)!!