Larysa Sendich

COSSACK NATION

"Shche Ne Vmerla Ukrainy, I slava, I volya" (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished, nor her glory, nor her freedom) are the first lyrics to the Ukrainian National anthem. Throughout its history, some have said, 'On the crossroads of the world', Ukraine has been the victim of aggressive, invading, rapacious and destructive subjugators, and as of the last century and a half, it is the victim of Russification and corrupt internal governments. Currently, these alleged Ukrainian political leaders, many with close ties to the historic 'iron fist' of Moscow, have only been interested in padding their personal pockets instead of improving the quality of life of its' people and nation building. The people of Ukraine have reached their limit.

Public protests broke out in Kyiv on the night of 21 November 2013 when the Ukrainian government suspended preparations for signing agreements that would begin the necessary steps towards Ukrainian European integration.  In the following 7+ weeks, the protesters have withstood freezing temperatures and heavy Berkut (Ukrainian militia) presence. In spite of the government attempts to violently break up the peaceful protests, the numbers of people setting up camp in Kyiv’s Independence Square is only growing. Ukrainians, young and old, are no longer afraid to voice their opinion against corruption and have gathered to demand the resignation of the current government.

What is happening on Independence Square is more powerful than a protest. It is a revolution. The protesters have built a small, self-sufficient camp, a village, and have taken on duties such as preparing and distributing food, and standing guard at the erected barricades that stand not only to protect the square, but to be the symbolic division between what is right and what is wrong. One guard I spoke with told me, “ this is my job now, I want to go home, but I must stay here and finish this.” Everyone is working together for a common goal—Honest political government for the Nation of Ukraine. It is an enormous battle, and a battle that has been burning to be fought for centuries. It is a new war, being fought with media, spit, exuberance and life. These images aim to show a glimpse of the strength that is rising in this region.