It Wasn't Civil War in Ukraine, It Was 'Revolution'

The deadly violence in Ukraine that culminated in the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich began as "a peaceful demonstration," a protester and filmmaker identified only as Yana writes for CNN. It was the government that turned it into a slaughter in Kiev's main square, after reneging on promises and even tricking protesters into leaving the safety of the square for more vulnerable locations, she writes. And don't use the phrase "civil war" to describe what happened, she asks.

"This has been a war between the Ukrainian people and elements of their government, a battle for their freedom and against tyranny and dictatorship," writes Yana. "Much more like a revolution." She recounts in the first person the deadliest moments of the assault on protesters—the sniper attacks, the savage beatings—but also this: "I'll never forget the voices of the girls ringing from the stage, still singing heroic Ukrainian combat songs while the square was being eaten by fire." It was a revolution, "and the Ukrainian people have risen." Click for her full column. (Meanwhile, the transition to a new government hasn't been smooth.)