Russia to remember Ukrainian 'coup'

21 February 2015 Last updated at 08:24

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The BBC's Paul Adams reports from inside Debaltseve, a town in "total shock"

Russian government supporters are to rally in the capital Moscow and other parts of the country to mark the first anniversary of what they view as the "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine.

Russia's state media are promoting the event under the slogan "We won't forget! We won't forgive!"

Ukraine's protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.

Russia has since annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and is accused of backing rebels in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers. Independent experts echo that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".

Shelling could be heard on Saturday morning in the city of Donetsk, the rebels' main stronghold, further fraying the ceasefire which was meant to begin nearly one week ago in eastern Ukraine.

Nearly 5,700 people have died since the fighting erupted last April and some 1.5 million people have fled their homes, according to the UN.

Yanukovych to speak

Russians are expected to come to Moscow from across the country for the "anti-Maidan" march - a reference to Ukraine's pro-EU protests that started on Kiev's central Independence Square, widely known as the Maidan.

A long line of coaches could be seen parked in central Moscow early on Saturday, as marchers made their way into the capital.

At least 10,000 people are expected to turn out with more than 100 public organisations mustering support, Russia's NTV news channel reports.

The channel says it will air an interview with Mr Yanukovych later in the day.

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What happened in the Maidan?

The anti-Yanukovych revolt was triggered by a sudden U-turn that ditched a wide-ranging pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Since Mr Yanukovych fled Kiev, the new authorities in Ukraine have issued an arrest warrant for him over the "mass murder of peaceful citizens".

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia on Friday of direct involvement in the sniper fire that killed dozens of protesters in Kiev on 18-20 February last year.

Speaking at a commemorative gathering in Kiev, he said Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov had organised "groups of foreign snipers". The president cited information he had received from Ukraine's security services.

The Russian foreign ministry hit back at the claim, calling it "nonsense".

Rebel advance

Mr Poroshenko was speaking just two days after his army retreated from the key town of Debaltseve, now in rebel hands.

The rebels took the strategic transport hub, despite the ceasefire signed on 12 February, arguing that the truce did not apply to the flash-point town.

An intense rebel bombardment forced some 2,500 government troops to retreat from Debaltseve, and dozens of others surrendered.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a tough statement on Friday warning that he would not allow any foreign state to gain the military advantage over Russia.

"No-one should have the illusion that they can gain military superiority over Russia, put any kind of pressure on it," he said.

A day earlier, UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had warned of a "real and present danger" of the Kremlin trying to destabilise the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

All three former Soviet republics are members of the EU and Nato, unlike Ukraine.

Are you in Ukraine or Russia? Are you affected by the recent unrest? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.

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