Hope for War Ending Soon Echoes in Maidan Nezalezhnosti

KOMPAS/HARRY SUSILO

A resident holds one of the replicas of the Ukrainian flag that was planted near Maidan Plaza, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday (12/6/2022).

A flock of gray doves flew high in the sky over Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday (12/6/2022). The birds seemed to be encouraging the local residents as they attended to their activities in the field to be strong in continuing with their lives, even though they were difficult and full of steep roads due to the ongoing war.

Even though day-to-day life has not yet fully recovered, the bustling citizens who packed the square on that day brought new enthusiasm and hope to Kyiv. This was especially so for those residents whose livelihoods depend on the tourists who come to the square.

Sergei (22) is among them. Dressed in a red pig costume, he offered to take pictures with tourists and fellow residents who were visiting the square. He did not charge a fee when tourists asked to take a photo with him. "This is by donation. Please, just pay as you like,” said Sergei.

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Sergei knew that the war was still raging in the east. He was also aware that a Russian attack could hit the capital at any time, as the city government often issued warning through public announcements and warning apps. However, Sergei has started to smile. At least the economy in Kyiv has begun to pick up.

The situation in Kyiv these days is very different from the tense times when Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 Feb. 2022 and almost all Kyiv residents fled to the west. Some went to Lviv, while others crossed the border into Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, or Austria.

Only women, children and the elderly were allowed to evacuate the capital.

At the end of February, Kyiv was like a ghost town. Almost all shops, shopping centers, private offices, and government offices were closed. Male citizens over the age of 18 were prohibited from leaving Kyiv and were ordered to join the military. Only women, children and the elderly were allowed to evacuate the capital.

Sergei said that last year, around 10 tourists took pictures with him each day. Once the war came to Ukraine, Kyiv was deserted. Almost no one came to the square.

Victoria, 19, who offered tourists to take a photo of her with a dove perched on her arm, also recalled the dark early days of the Russian invasion. She had fled to Vinnytsa, south of Kyiv. After returning to Kyiv, her income was uncertain.

KOMPAS/HARRY SUSILO

Dressed in an animal that resembles a pig, Sergei offered to take a group photo at Maidan Nezalezhnosti or Independence Square, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday (12/6/2022) afternoon.

She often went home empty-handed. “Sometimes, I only make 20 hryvna (Rp 9,800). If you are lucky, you can make 100 hryvna (Rp 49,000)," said Victoria.

Before the Russian invasion, her income could reach 1,000 hryvna (Rp 490,000) on Saturdays and Sundays.

Euromaidan Revolution

For Ukrainians, Independence Square is more than just a lifeline for people like Sergei and Victoria. The square is an icon of Kyiv. Whenever there is a big celebration in Kyiv, Independence Square is always the epicenter of mass gatherings. When Kyiv hosted the final of the 2012 European Cup soccer tournament, the square turned into an outdoor concert venue enlivened by world-class musicians such as Elton John and Queen.

But Independence Square means much more to most Ukrainians, especially after the events of November-December 2013, when demonstrations erupted to overthrow pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, who was accused of being Moscow’s accomplice and of corruption and nepotism. The series of mass demonstrations became known as the Euromaidan Revolution.

He also argued that it was impossible for the country to sacrifice trade with Russia.

The demonstrations started when Yanukovych refused to sign a trade cooperation with the European Union. Yanukovych said the EU did not offer sufficient financial assistance to boost the Ukrainian economy. He also argued that it was impossible for the country to sacrifice trade with Russia.

A wave of protests broke out in Kyiv, with some 300,000 protesters chanting anti-Yanukovych slogans in early December as they marched towards Independence Square.

The incident led to Yanukovych’s overthrow in February 2014. However, Yanukovych's ouster angered the residents of Luhansk and Donetsk, where the former president was born and raised. After Yanukovych was overthrown, some of the people of Donetsk and Luhansk formed a rebellion against the government and shortly thereafter, declared the establishment of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR).

KOMPAS/KRIS MADA

Singers play drums at Maidan Plaza, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday (12/6/2022).

Then on 20 Feb. 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that recognized the PRC and the PRL. Two days later, Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, reportedly by request from the PRC and the PRC.

Signs of life

Now, three months since the Russian invasion began, the displaced residents of Kyiv have gradually returned to the city. Shopping centers, stores, private offices, government offices, hotels, and small kiosks have started to open.

Seeing the increasing number of returning refugees, the Ukrainian railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, added trains serving the Polish-Ukrainian route.

As of Sunday (12/6), at least 2.5 million Ukrainians had returned to their country from Europe. The majority returned via Poland and Romania. Seeing the increasing number of returning refugees, the Ukrainian railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, added trains serving the Polish-Ukrainian route.

Ukrzaliznytsia said that 50,000 Ukrainians had traveled by train from Przemysl, Poland, in May.

As millions of Ukrainian refugees have returned home, Kyiv is coming back to life and offering some relief. "I hope the war will end soon," said Oksana, who runs a hotel near the square.

People like Sergei, Victoria, and Oksana have high hopes for economic revival in the square. If the business activities in Maidan Nezalezhnosti can resume fully, they believe that life in Kyiv will also recover.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi)