The Ukrainian Revolution of 2014 escalated quickly after months of relatively peaceful anti-government protests, with a massive civil uprising and armed clashes in the capital city Kiev beginning on February 18, 2014. At least 82 people were killed over the following few days, including 13 policemen; more than 1,100 people were injured.

Within a few short days, the conflict lead to the downfall of the government of President Viktor Yanukovych and the setting up of a new government to replace it. Yanukovych fled to Russia, and is wanted in Ukraine for the killing of protesters. 

The swift and relatively civil change of control of the government was thrown into alarming uncertainty shortly thereafter when Pro-Russian forces seized control of the Crimea region and key supplies of gas and water in Ukraine. The Crimean Crisis continues to escalate and is at the center of the world stage less than one month after the new government took control of Ukraine.

The Paris-based photojournalist, Alfred Yaghobzadeh, was on the ground in Kiev documenting the events since February 19. LensCulture is pleased and honored to present an in-depth visual report comprised of 87 color photographs and over 100 black-and-white photographs.

Note the faces, clothing and weapons of the revolutionary fighters — almost all look like ordinary people, protecting themselves with sporting gear, bicycle helmets, make-shift shields, gas masks, and crude home-made weapons. Apparently as soon as the fighting stopped, the fighters created neat blockades from paving stones, cleaned up the remaining garbage from the fighting, and restored order to the city. Women served sandwiches and coffee. There was no looting of the presidential headquarters nor the Parliament building. These photos tell the story of passionate, dignified people, fighting for what they believe.

—LensCulture

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