War & Defense
Ukraine Conflict: Early Signs of Russian Influence
Early signs of Russian influence in Ukraine became apparent before the full-scale conflict, with Russian flags appearing on public transport in some cities. Tensions escalated following the 2013 Euromaidan Revolution, leading to confrontations between pro-Ukrainian activists and opposing groups. A violent incident in spring 2014, where activists raising a Ukrainian flag were shot at, forced pro-Ukrainian groups to operate underground.