Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Today is the anniversary of Volodymyr Ivasiuk’s birth (March 4, 1949 – May 18, 1979).

He was murdered by the KGB for being 'too Ukrainian', they covered it up saying it was suicide. Thirty six years after the tragedy the real cause of death was revealed by Lviv Prosecutor’s Office.

Volodymyr Ivasiuk, a popular composer and poet, became an overnight sensation in the Soviet Union after a public performance on September 13, 1970 of his compositions Chervona Ruta (Red Rue) and Vodohray (Water Cascade).
He wasn't just a lyricist and composer, he was an artist, and also had a medical degree.

Today in Lviv



Most Ukrainians know this song well!

He wrote it when he was 19.

He's the one on the right



It is named after a mythological flower, the Chervona Ruta, which if found turning a red colour by a young girl, was meant to bring happiness in love.

"Chervona Ruta" literally means "Red Rue", however, the flowers of the plant rue are yellow. According to the local legend, the rue turns red on the Day of Ivana Kupala for a few minutes. A girl that finds that flower will be happy in love. Chervona Ruta in the meaning of "Red Plant" or "Red Flower" is also associated with an attractive alpine plant with medicinal properties Rhododendron myrtifolium, that grows in the Carpathian mountains in western Ukraine.

Translated lyrics:

Just admit it to me.
You’re controlling my feelings.
Though my heart was in pain
With your spell it is healing.
In the forest you knew
Of the midsummer flower
That when kissed by the sun
Has a magical power.

Please don’t go searching
For the red bloom this evening
For the love that I have for you
Is true and free.
Just as the rivers
Of the mountains are givers
Of clean water;
You’ve given life to me.

As you visit my dreams
In the green glades of summer
You are coming to me
As you would to a lover
And you don’t need to give
Me a flower or a potion
I shall always be here
You have all my devotion.

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 5h5 hours ago Ukraine Rus's proxies fired 50 times upon Ukr troops over last day, 42 attacks in Donetsk sector. Used mortars, grenade launchers - ATO press center


3h3 hours ago BREAKING #Ukrainian border service closed checkpoint #Maryinka for civilians b/c of endless morning shelling from the #Russian forces side


25m25 minutes ago 2 UA servicemen KIA, 5 WIA in the #warzone in E #Ukraine over the last 24 h.

[Natalka]

#Ukrainian town of #Avdyivka in the #warzone is under #Russian armed forces shelling over the last 6 hours

#Russian armed forces fired upon #Ukrainian troops positions in the #warzone in E UA 26 times today - ATO HQ

Andriy Yareshko, Ukrainian officer killed in #Avdiivka shelling today.

[Natalka]

Nadiya Savchenko has issued a statement formally declaring a dry hunger strike from 04.03.2016 “until my return to Ukraine, alive or dead”.



This she states is in protest at the actions of the Russian authorities, security service, court and prosecutor’s office and at the fact that they are trying to hide their crimes. She repeats that they are in breach of international law and guilty of abducting her, taking her by force to Russia and holding her in detention. She prohibits any attempts to force her out of the hunger strike; to take any blood tests, etc. or to force her to take any medication. She will not allow any Russian doctors or SIZO [prison] staff to touch her. She will agree to be examined only by doctors from Ukraine or Europe. She insists that they must not move her from the cell or SIZO without explaining the reason and the destination.
“I will regard any use of physical force towards me as torture and will show resistance.
If I am still alive on 9.03.2016, I demand to be taken to the court hearing.

[Natalka]

#FreeSavchenko rallies started all over the Globe

Leipzig, Germany



Presidential Palace in Prague

[Natalka]

#FreeSavchenko rally at the #Russian consulate #Kharkiv






Artist Ilya Panek with painting in support of Savchenko




#FreeSavchenko rally at the Independence square in #Kyiv:

''#Ukraine needs HOPE'' (the meaning of Nadiya's name)

[Natalka]

Odesa residents gather by the Duc monument calling to #FreeSavchenko. Nadiya is in her 4th day of dry hunger strike





Huge #FreeSavchenko demo in Maidan #Kyiv, with sister Vira & mother Maria #Savchenko.

[Natalka]

Freedom to Savchenko! Above the entrance to the Russian Embassy in Kyiv had raised the Ukrainian flag

[Natalka]

[Natalka]

Helsinki



Stockholm, Sweden

[Natalka]

Toronto









at Russian consulate

[Natalka]

Tbilisi, Georgia



Berlin

[Natalka]

Today, in the Belgian city of Antwerp, a multi-national preliminary action took place, where Belgian, Ukrainian, Russian, Belorussian and other nationalities joined together to protest this crime of the Russian regime that offends all sensibilities, and which is an affront to international law, and to the very concept of basic human rights.
‪#‎FreeSavchenko‬

[Natalka]

New York

[Natalka]

#Russian armed forces trying to break trough #Yasynuvata front line in the #warzone in E #Ukraine with the use of 20 (!) tanks.

#Russian armed forces fired upon UA positions 25 times during Monday in E UA

#Russian fire upon #Ukrainian troops near #Avdyivka doesn't stop during the last 3days. 2 UA soldiers KIA yesterday, 1WIA today