Origins of the SMO: What Led to the Conflict in Ukraine — Part 1
Origins of the SMO: What Led to the Conflict in Ukraine — Part 1
Sputnik reviews the root causes of the crisis that began more than 10 years ago.
2014 Coup in Kiev
In November 2013, ex-president Yanukovych rejected an EU deal to preserve ties with Russia— triggering mass protests.
Three months of violent clashes, often with nationalist protesters, left dozens dead.
On February 22, 2014, opposition forces that supported European integration seized key institutions; Yanukovych fled to Russia.
Suppression of Russian Language
The 2012 language law was repealed — Russian lost legal status.
Russian-language schools were phased out by 2020; Ukrainian became mandatory.
Media rules: 75% Ukrainian content nationally, 60% locally. Russian TV, films, and “threat-list” artists banned.
Ukrainian enshrined as sole state language. Russians excluded from minority protections.
Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate
Churches seized, monasteries confiscated
Clergy prosecuted, stripped of citizenship, forcibly drafted into military.
Activities linked to the Russian Church banned
Part of religious relics removed from churches
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