Maidan casualties
During Ukraine’s 2014 Revolution of Dignity, more than 100 civilian protesters and 13 police officers were killed. The violence peaked on February 20, 2014, in Kyiv, when security forces and snipers fired on demonstrators. The protesters who were killed are remembered as the Heavenly Hundred.
The first deaths happened on January 22, Unity Day, during clashes on Hrushevskoho Street. Three activists—Serhiy Nigoyan, Mykhailo Zhyznevskyi and Roman Senyk—were shot dead. The body of Yuriy Verbytsky was found later that day after he had been kidnapped; Ihor Lutsenko was released later.
In the days that followed, clashes spread. On February 18, about 11 protesters were killed or fatally wounded and four police officers died. On February 19–20, security forces moved to clear Independence Square. The fighting grew deadlier, with sniper fire from buildings and heavy gunfire on the ground. By midday on February 20, many protesters had been killed on Instytutska Street; the day became the bloodiest.
The final toll from the clashes was over 100 protesters and 13 police officers. Hundreds more were wounded by gunfire or other injuries.
In the weeks after, investigators identified and charged dozens of people, including many Berkut riot police officers. Forensic tests later linked some of the bullets to Berkut rifles. Many suspects fled abroad, including to Russia.
On February 21, 2014, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law to help the families of those killed. The new president also posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine to the slain protesters; three non-Ukrainian victims received special honors.
Since 2015, February 20 has been observed as the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, with commemorations and a pledge to remember their sacrifice. Ukraine created awards, memorials and a museum project to honor those who died.
Prosecutions continued in the following years. By 2016 prosecutors had identified many Berkut officers involved in the shootings. In 2023, three former Berkut officers were convicted in absentia for their role in the killings.
The Maidan killings remain a defining moment in Ukraine’s history, symbolizing the struggle for dignity and democratic rights.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:51 (CET).