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Ukraine marks 10-year anniversary of Maidan \u2018Revolution of Dignity\u2019 | Russia-Ukraine war News<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s pro-democracy, pro-Europe demonstrations in Maidan square a decade ago marked the \u201cfirst victory\u201d in its war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on the anniversary of the popular protest movement.<\/p>\n
Nearly 100 civilians died in violent clashes with security forces when Ukrainians took to the streets of the capital in 2013, demanding to move Ukraine out of the orbit of Vladimir Putin\u2019s Russia and \u201cjoin\u201d the family of European democracies to which it \u201chistorically belongs\u201d.<\/p>\n
The \u201cRevolution of Dignity\u201d protests ultimately led to the ouster of Kremlin-backed President Victor Yanukovych and gave space to the rise of a new generation of anticorruption, pro-democracy movement leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first victory in today\u2019s war took place. A victory against indifference. A victory of courage. The victory of the Revolution of Dignity,\u201d Zelenskyy said in a statement on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
He praised his country\u2019s progress towards gaining membership in the European Union since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February of last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cYear after year, step by step, we do our best to ensure that our star shines in the circle of stars on the EU flag, which symbolises the unity of the peoples of Europe. The star of Ukraine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His comments come as Russian forces chip away at\u00a0Ukraine\u2019s\u00a0sovereignty and continue their full-on invasion of their smaller neighbour.<\/p>\n