Not sure why there isn't a thread on this yet. Ukraine has been tearing itself apart for the past month.
Before and after shots of the central square in Kiev
Images of the protests
Basically back in December the controversially elected president Yanukovych decreed that Ukraine would form closer economic ties with Russia instead of the EU and completely abandoned it's previous plans to join an EU economic pact. This was contrary to public opinion. Russia then rewarded Ukraine with a $15 billion loan and stimulus package.
Many Ukrainians, perceiving this to be signs of corruption, decided to protest the decision and over 800k people showed up protests in Kiev's main public square. Initially protests were peaceful until their President passed a law, without parliamentary approval, that made protesting without government approval illegal, slander in person or online against politicians an offense and put in place a 3 year mandatory prison sentence for "gathering material" on judges and police. Ukrainians went nuts and the violence has gotten out of hand since.
Live ammunition is now being used by police and 21+ people are reportedly dead
Really hope the situation improves soon and we don't have another Syria. I'm not sure why there isn't as much news on this in North America, maybe the outlets didn't want to piss off Russia any more before the olympics
More on this here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26257542
Crisis explained:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823
Timeline:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275
Previous CP thread about Yanukovych and his election
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...raine+Protests