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Ukraine crisis: Moscow rally against 'coup' one year on Ukraine crisis: Moscow rally against 'coup' one year on
(35 minutes later)
A rally is under way in Moscow to condemn the "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine, a year after the downfall of its pro-Russian president.A rally is under way in Moscow to condemn the "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine, a year after the downfall of its pro-Russian president.
Russian state media heavily promoted the rally and march with the slogan "We won't forget! We won't forgive!".Russian state media heavily promoted the rally and march with the slogan "We won't forget! We won't forgive!".
Ukraine's protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.Ukraine's protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.
Russia has since annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and is accused of backing rebels in eastern Ukraine. Speaking on Russian TV, he condemned "lawlessness" in Ukraine, saying the situation there had caused him "very many sleepless nights".
Since Mr Yanukovych's departure, Russia has annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and is accused of backing rebels in eastern Ukraine.
A ceasefire plan agreed this month in Minsk has appeared close to collapse since taking effect just over a week ago.
The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers. Independent experts echo that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers. Independent experts echo that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".
Nearly 5,700 people have died since the fighting erupted last April and some 1.5 million people have fled their homes, according to the UN.Nearly 5,700 people have died since the fighting erupted last April and some 1.5 million people have fled their homes, according to the UN.
Shelling could be heard on Saturday morning in the city of Donetsk, the rebels' main stronghold, further fraying the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine agreed in Minsk earlier this month. In developments on Saturday:
Meanwhile the rebels have announced that a prisoner exchange will take place on Saturday in the Luhansk region - another of the key points of the ceasefire plan.
One rebel official quoted by Russian media said between 35 and 39 Ukrainian soldiers, including officers, would be handed over in exchange for 37 men held by the Ukrainian government.
'Anti-Maidan''Anti-Maidan'
The Moscow event is styled as an "anti-Maidan" march - a reference to Ukraine's pro-EU protests that started on Kiev's central Independence Square, widely known as the Maidan.The Moscow event is styled as an "anti-Maidan" march - a reference to Ukraine's pro-EU protests that started on Kiev's central Independence Square, widely known as the Maidan.
Among those at the rally was Ukrainian rebel politician Oleg Tsarev, who marched alongside the leader of Russia's Night Wolves motorcycle club, Alexander "The Surgeon" Zaldostanov, a prominent Russian nationalist.
Groups of demonstrators gathered in central Moscow on Saturday under patriotic Russian banners.Groups of demonstrators gathered in central Moscow on Saturday under patriotic Russian banners.
One group of marchers in military fatigues could be seen with a placard which read "Maidan is an illness - we're going to cure it!" One group of marchers in military fatigues could be seen with a placard which read "Maidan is an illness - we're going to cure it!" Another placard read "Maidan benefits the enemies of Russia!"
Another placard read "Maidan benefits the enemies of Russia!"
At least 10,000 people are expected to turn out with more than 100 public organisations mustering support, Russia's NTV news channel reports.
The channel says it will air an interview with Mr Yanukovych later in the day.
The anti-Yanukovych revolt was triggered by a sudden U-turn that ditched a wide-ranging pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.The anti-Yanukovych revolt was triggered by a sudden U-turn that ditched a wide-ranging pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Since Mr Yanukovych fled Kiev, the new authorities in Ukraine have issued an arrest warrant for him over the "mass murder of peaceful citizens".Since Mr Yanukovych fled Kiev, the new authorities in Ukraine have issued an arrest warrant for him over the "mass murder of peaceful citizens".
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia on Friday of direct involvement in the sniper fire that killed dozens of protesters in Kiev on 18-20 February last year. President Poroshenko accused Russia on Friday of direct involvement in the sniper fire that killed dozens of protesters in Kiev on 18-20 February last year.
Speaking at a commemorative gathering in Kiev, he said Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov had organised "groups of foreign snipers". The president cited information he had received from Ukraine's security services. Speaking at a commemorative gathering in Kiev, he said Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov had organised "groups of foreign snipers". The Russian foreign ministry hit back at the claim, calling it "nonsense".
The Russian foreign ministry hit back at the claim, calling it "nonsense". Mr Poroshenko was speaking just two days after his army retreated from Debaltseve, now in rebel hands.
Rebel advance The rebels took the strategic transport hub in spite of the ceasefire signed on 12 February, arguing the truce did not apply to the flash-point town.
Mr Poroshenko was speaking just two days after his army retreated from the key town of Debaltseve, now in rebel hands.
The rebels took the strategic transport hub, despite the ceasefire signed on 12 February, arguing that the truce did not apply to the flash-point town.
An intense rebel bombardment forced some 2,500 government troops to retreat from Debaltseve, and dozens of others surrendered.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a tough statement on Friday warning that he would not allow any foreign state to gain the military advantage over Russia.
"No-one should have the illusion that they can gain military superiority over Russia, put any kind of pressure on it," he said.
A day earlier, UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had warned of a "real and present danger" of the Kremlin trying to destabilise the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
All three former Soviet republics are members of the EU and Nato, unlike Ukraine.
Are you attending the rally in Moscow? Are you in Ukraine and affected by the recent unrest? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.Are you attending the rally in Moscow? Are you in Ukraine and affected by the recent unrest? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.
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