9 March 2014

Between the 18^th of February and the 8^th of March, the group EuroMaidanSOS has been called to look for over 700 people who have been reported missing. For now, 426 people have been located. As of today, they are actively continuing the search for 257 people. Not all 700 calls were about protestors targeted by the government, but EuroMaidanSOS demonstrates how the people have mobilized themselves to create systems of community protection, solidarity and even governance. These groups continue in spite of the shift of media attention to geopolitics, as well as imminent threats to safety and security in Crimea and Kharkiv and Donestk.

Trains have been diverted from reaching Crimea. Travel is stopped and journalists attempting to enter the Crimean peninsula are stopped, searched and intimidated by unidentified men in military uniforms. Two groups of Ukrainian journalists were detained, among whom were activists of AutoMaidan, Kateryna Buytko and Oleksandra Riazantseva. Riazantseva has a new tattoo on her arm in honour of those who’ve been killed in Maidan, one of the men saw this and, according to tweets from a journalist in the group, put both girls to their knees and then forced them away from the group. No one has been able to locate them, and their phones are not working.

There are numerous other stories circulating about journalists who have gone to Crimea and are now are missing, particularly those with links to AutoMaidan or Maidan reporting have been targeted.

It seems the country is suspended and waiting in fear. Meanwhile, of those in hospital wounded from the violence from the 18^th to 20^th of February, many continue to pass away. The news updates are dominated by news of protests in Kharkiv, Crimea and Donetsk but interrupted by announcements that yet another Maidan demonstrator has died.

There were numerous demonstrations today throughout Ukraine to commemorate 200^th anniversary of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, as well as a colourful march in the Maidan, Kyiv where international residents marched through the streets with the flags of their nations in support of peace and freedom in Ukraine.