williamrisch

Real, but perhaps not so important. From my research in Donetsk, Kharkiv, talk with people from south (January 2014): younger gen. (18-30 yr. olds) more open to EU, talk of "European dream," lots of skepticism about protestors' knowledge of economics, older gen. more hostile. Lots of people in East skeptical of BOTH Russia & EU, skeptical of protestors' goals.

Economic growth (GDP) was 0.93% for 2013. Something like 12 new "billionaires" since Yanukovych came to office. Yanukovych's son, a dentist by profession, is a billionaire. Crazy! So it is about economics, and corruption and abuse of power by officials (leading thus to the overnight billionaires).

I was in Kyiv January 19, and the Maidan booed the political opposition, crowds were picking verbal fights with guards around the government sector. The fight on Hrushevsky Street broke out after Automaidan activists confronted police forces, then Right Sector moved in. Lots of people other than Right Sector took part in the violence. BTW, it's called "Right Sector," not "Far Right Sector."

Ms. Nelson, did you know of the Facebook group, "Euromaidan News in English"? There is information there if you need more background materials for further analysis. Thank you for what you've done for NPR! Ukraine's events need to be placed in the wider context you're giving it.

There were polling results done recently by the Kyiv International Institute for Sociology (KIIS) at the end of January. Google them; they have an English-language text of their findings.

Mostly western Ukraine, but quite a considerable share from the east and south given that they were Yanukovych's bedrock of support.

Kyivans regularly have helped out with the Maidan.