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Ukraine Fast Facts

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Updated 2050 GMT (0450 HKT) April 22, 2019

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Ukrainian soldiers sit on an armored vehicle as they take up a position in a sunflower field near Donetsk, Ukraine, on Thursday, July 10. Here's a look at the upheaval that has persisted in eastern Ukraine since the election of President Petro Poroshenko.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Ukrainian soldiers sit on an armored vehicle as they take up a position in a sunflower field near Donetsk, Ukraine, on Thursday, July 10. Here's a look at the upheaval that has persisted in eastern Ukraine since the election of President Petro Poroshenko.
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A man rides a bike past the tail of a bombshell outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, on July 10.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A man rides a bike past the tail of a bombshell outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, on July 10.
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Eugenia Gubareva cries on July 10 after finding clothes belonging to her parents, who were killed during a bomb shelling in Mikolaivka, Ukraine.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Eugenia Gubareva cries on July 10 after finding clothes belonging to her parents, who were killed during a bomb shelling in Mikolaivka, Ukraine.
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A man cleans up debris in his apartment after a shelling in Slovyansk on July 10.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A man cleans up debris in his apartment after a shelling in Slovyansk on July 10.
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People walk under a destroyed railroad bridge near the village of Novobakhmutivka on Monday, July 7.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – People walk under a destroyed railroad bridge near the village of Novobakhmutivka on Monday, July 7.
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A woman cries as her house burns after a bombing in Slovyansk on Monday, June 30.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A woman cries as her house burns after a bombing in Slovyansk on Monday, June 30.
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People say goodbye to volunteer soldiers in Kiev, Ukraine, before they leave for the eastern part of the country to join the ranks of a special battalion on Monday, June 23.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – People say goodbye to volunteer soldiers in Kiev, Ukraine, before they leave for the eastern part of the country to join the ranks of a special battalion on Monday, June 23.
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People take refuge in a bomb shelter during clashes between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia fighters in Slovyansk on Sunday, June 22.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – People take refuge in a bomb shelter during clashes between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia fighters in Slovyansk on Sunday, June 22.
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Riot police surround the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, an Orthodox Christian monastery in Kiev where radical masked activists gather to protest against separatists on June 22.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Riot police surround the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, an Orthodox Christian monastery in Kiev where radical masked activists gather to protest against separatists on June 22.
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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko awards wounded soldiers with state awards in a military hospital in Kiev on Saturday, June 21.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko awards wounded soldiers with state awards in a military hospital in Kiev on Saturday, June 21.
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Debris lies scattered at an airport in Luhansk, Ukraine, on Saturday, June 14, after the crash of a Ukrainian Ilyushin-76 military transport plane. A military spokesman said the aircraft was shot down by pro-Russian separatists, killing all 49 aboard.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Debris lies scattered at an airport in Luhansk, Ukraine, on Saturday, June 14, after the crash of a Ukrainian Ilyushin-76 military transport plane. A military spokesman said the aircraft was shot down by pro-Russian separatists, killing all 49 aboard.
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A pro-Russian fighter collects ammunition from the debris of the downed military aircraft on June 14.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A pro-Russian fighter collects ammunition from the debris of the downed military aircraft on June 14.
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Pro-Russian fighters walk past the wreckage of the downed aircraft.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Pro-Russian fighters walk past the wreckage of the downed aircraft.
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A military vehicle was destroyed during a clash between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists Friday, June 13, in Mariupol, Ukraine.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A military vehicle was destroyed during a clash between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists Friday, June 13, in Mariupol, Ukraine.
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Locals in Mariupol gather around a burning military vehicle at the site of a battle between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian fighters on June 13.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Locals in Mariupol gather around a burning military vehicle at the site of a battle between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian fighters on June 13.
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A pro-Russian fighter in Slovyansk checks a woman's documents as she leaves the city on Thursday, June 12.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A pro-Russian fighter in Slovyansk checks a woman's documents as she leaves the city on Thursday, June 12.
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A pro-Russian fighter stands guard at a checkpoint in Slovyansk on June 12.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A pro-Russian fighter stands guard at a checkpoint in Slovyansk on June 12.
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A girl looks out of a bus window as she leaves Slovyansk on Monday, June 9.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A girl looks out of a bus window as she leaves Slovyansk on Monday, June 9.
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Poroshenko holds the ceremonial mace during his inauguration ceremony Saturday, June 7, in Kiev. Poroshenko was elected three months after the ouster of former President Viktor Yanukovych.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Poroshenko holds the ceremonial mace during his inauguration ceremony Saturday, June 7, in Kiev. Poroshenko was elected three months after the ouster of former President Viktor Yanukovych.
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A Ukrainian tank opens fire during a battle with pro-Russian separatist fighters in Slovyansk on Friday, June 6.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A Ukrainian tank opens fire during a battle with pro-Russian separatist fighters in Slovyansk on Friday, June 6.
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A Ukrainian soldier prepares explosives during a battle with pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk on June 6.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A Ukrainian soldier prepares explosives during a battle with pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk on June 6.
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A Ukrainian soldier observes the road at a checkpoint outside of Amvrosiivka, Ukraine, on Thursday, June 5.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A Ukrainian soldier observes the road at a checkpoint outside of Amvrosiivka, Ukraine, on Thursday, June 5.
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Ukrainian soldiers take position during a battle with pro-Russian separatists outside Slovyansk on June 5.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Ukrainian soldiers take position during a battle with pro-Russian separatists outside Slovyansk on June 5.
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Pro-Russian militants stand guard at a barricade and checkpoint in Donetsk on Sunday, June 1.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Pro-Russian militants stand guard at a barricade and checkpoint in Donetsk on Sunday, June 1.
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A Ukrainian soldier shoots a grenade launcher during a battle with pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk on Saturday, May 31.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A Ukrainian soldier shoots a grenade launcher during a battle with pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk on Saturday, May 31.
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A protester from Kiev's Independence Square gestures May 31 as fellow protesters burn tires to protect their barricades from being dismantled by communal services.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A protester from Kiev's Independence Square gestures May 31 as fellow protesters burn tires to protect their barricades from being dismantled by communal services.
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A Ukrainian armored personnel carrier takes position during a battle with pro-Russian separatist fighters May 31 in Slovyansk.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A Ukrainian armored personnel carrier takes position during a battle with pro-Russian separatist fighters May 31 in Slovyansk.
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Ukrainian soldiers rest at a checkpoint outside Slovyansk on Thursday, May 29.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Ukrainian soldiers rest at a checkpoint outside Slovyansk on Thursday, May 29.
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Smoke rises from a shot-down Ukrainian Army helicopter outside Slovyansk on May 29.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Smoke rises from a shot-down Ukrainian Army helicopter outside Slovyansk on May 29.
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A man stands in front of a truck that was bombed by Ukrainian soldiers during clashes with armed rebels Tuesday, May 27, in Donetsk.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A man stands in front of a truck that was bombed by Ukrainian soldiers during clashes with armed rebels Tuesday, May 27, in Donetsk.
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Medical staff prepare to clean the body of a pro-Russian militant at the Kalinina morgue in Donetsk on May 27.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Medical staff prepare to clean the body of a pro-Russian militant at the Kalinina morgue in Donetsk on May 27.
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The body of a pro-Russian militant lies on a stretcher at a morgue in Donetsk on May 27. He was killed in clashes around Donetsk's airport, which was seized by pro-Russian separatists a day earlier. Ukrainian forces moved in and reclaimed the facility.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – The body of a pro-Russian militant lies on a stretcher at a morgue in Donetsk on May 27. He was killed in clashes around Donetsk's airport, which was seized by pro-Russian separatists a day earlier. Ukrainian forces moved in and reclaimed the facility.
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Firefighters work on extinguishing a fire at a local sports hall in Donetsk on May 27.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Firefighters work on extinguishing a fire at a local sports hall in Donetsk on May 27.
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People pile up sandbags to set up a shooting position on the road leading from the Donetsk airport on May 27.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – People pile up sandbags to set up a shooting position on the road leading from the Donetsk airport on May 27.
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A man dressed in a prisoner costume takes part in a protest against government corruption May 27 in Kiev.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A man dressed in a prisoner costume takes part in a protest against government corruption May 27 in Kiev.
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Pro-Russian militants take position on the roof of Donetsk International Airport on Monday, May 26.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Pro-Russian militants take position on the roof of Donetsk International Airport on Monday, May 26.
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A pro-Russian militant takes position on the roof of the Donetsk airport on May 26.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A pro-Russian militant takes position on the roof of the Donetsk airport on May 26.
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A man runs for cover during fighting around the airport on May 26.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – A man runs for cover during fighting around the airport on May 26.
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Smoke rises from the airport on May 26 after an airstrike by the Ukrainian military.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Smoke rises from the airport on May 26 after an airstrike by the Ukrainian military.
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Pro-Russian gunmen take positions near the airport on May 26.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Pro-Russian gunmen take positions near the airport on May 26.
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Men stand next to pro-Russian militants as a woman runs away during clashes near the airport on May 26.
Photos: Photos: Ukraine after the election
Ukraine after the election – Men stand next to pro-Russian militants as a woman runs away during clashes near the airport on May 26.
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