The Myth Used to Justify War
The claim that Euromaidan was an "armed coup orchestrated by the CIA and MI6" did not arise as an analytical conclusion but as a political justification tool. It has been systematically used by Russian officials and state media to legitimize the annexation of Crimea, the war in Donbas, and the full-scale 2022 invasion.
Over more than 11 years, no evidence meeting investigative standards has been presented: no documents, no financial chains, no confessions, and no conclusions from international commissions.
Social and Political Causes of the Protests
Euromaidan did not arise in a vacuum. By 2013, Ukraine was in a deep crisis of public trust: systemic corruption, concentration of resources in the hands of a narrow circle close to the president, politically motivated criminal cases, and violence by security forces.
President Yanukovych's refusal on November 21, 2013, to sign the EU Association Agreement was not the cause but a trigger. It symbolized a rejection of the promised course and increased dependence on Russia, which a significant portion of society perceived as a loss of sovereign choice.
The call by journalist Mustafa Nayyem to take to Maidan was a private initiative recorded on public social networks, not the result of a "special operation." The first protesters had neither organizational structure, funding, nor political leadership.
Why the External Control Theory Does Not Hold
Supporters of the "CIA coup" theory usually refer to isolated fragments taken out of context:
- The intercepted conversation between Victoria Nuland and Geoffrey Pyatt — a diplomatic discussion of possible scenarios (The New York Times, 2014), not protest management.
- The presence of Western politicians at Maidan — a form of public diplomacy, analogous to visits by Russian politicians to other countries.
- Support for civil society via grants — a standard international practice, not equivalent to controlling mass protests.
None of these elements prove the existence of centralized external command of the protests.
The Issue of Violence and Investigation of the Shootings
A key element of the myth is the claim that violence was provoked by protesters or "foreign snipers." International investigations, however, indicate a different picture.
Reports by the OSCE, Human Rights Watch, and the Council of Europe monitoring mission concluded that the main responsibility for the escalation of violence lies with the security forces under the existing government.
The "foreign snipers" version is neither judicially nor expert-supported and remains an element of informational speculation.
Why It Was Not a State Coup
Legally, the change of power in February 2014 occurred within existing institutions. The Verkhovna Rada, elected under Yanukovych, voted to remove him after his effective flight from the country.
There was no dissolution of parliament, no takeover of ministries by foreign entities, and no abolition of the constitutional order. Subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections were recognized as free and competitive by OSCE/ODIHR.
Why the Kremlin Needs This Myth
The "coup" narrative serves several purposes:
- Delegitimizing the Ukrainian government;
- Justifying the annexation of Crimea as a "response to an illegal seizure of power";
- Shifting responsibility for internal protests to an external enemy;
- Mobilizing the domestic audience through the image of a besieged fortress.
International Legal Perspective
Even considering political instability, international law does not permit intervention, annexation of territory, or use of force.
The annexation of Crimea and subsequent actions by Russia violated the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, and bilateral treaties between Russia and Ukraine.
These facts are recorded in UN General Assembly resolutions and numerous human rights reports.
The Real Picture of Events
Euromaidan was a complex, contradictory, and tragic process. It included peaceful protests, radicalization amid state violence, and deep societal division.
But it was not a secret intelligence operation. It was the result of an internal conflict between society and a government that refused accountability to its citizens.
Conclusion
The "CIA and MI6 coup" myth is not an alternative viewpoint but a tool of political manipulation. It ignores facts, international investigations, and legal reality.
Euromaidan was an expression of civic protest and the pursuit of dignity, and interpreting it as a "conspiracy" serves solely to justify subsequent violations of international law.
Main Sources and Documents
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
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The content on this site is compiled and verified by experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical research. Sources include official legal documents, national and international legislation, resolutions of the UN, reports from international organizations, and verified open-source evidence. Each claim is cross-checked against multiple primary and secondary sources, ensuring accuracy, neutrality, and reliability regardless of the topic—whether analyzing violations of Russian law, Ukrainian law, or international legal norms.
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Last modified date: 25/11/2025