The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity). Ukraine Part 2.

I have recently written the first of two novels in my latest Apocalyptic series, ‘Force Majeure – Purgatory’ and ‘Force Majeure – Paralysis’. The third in the series will be out mid next year. Prior to these two books, I wrote a Cold War trilogy, The Red Effect, The Black Effect and The Blue Effect, portraying what I believe could have happened in the 1980’s, had the Soviets, and the Warsaw Pact, taken the decision to attack West Germany and plunged the world into a third world war.

I now ask myself the question, are we heading down that very route now? To answer that, I am in the process of writing the first book in a new Cold War trilogy, or the ‘Cool War’ as it is sometimes referred to. The first draft title is ‘The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity)’.

Where does my story start? I felt the only way to find the answer to that was to go to the very melting pot that could turn the Cool War, into a Hot War, the Ukraine. I have made two trips so far, and the next 12 Posts will relate my experiences while there.

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The flag of Ukraine.

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This is the view along Threshchatyk Vulyysya, looking back towards Independence Square, as I continue my journey. I now head towards the Kiev Dynamo stadium and the government buildings. The scene of even more violence in the Ukrainian people’s attempt to secure Independence yet again.

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Peoples Arch of Friendship, Kiev.

Its literal name is ‘Arch of Friendship of Peoples’. Opened on 7 November, 1982 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the USSR and the celebration of the 1,500th Anniversary of Kiev city.

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The view from Naberezhne Highway, that runs alongside the Dnieper River.

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On the high ground close to the Friendship Arch, looking back towards the Dnieper River from where I took the last picture.

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I then headed towards the Kiev Dynamo Stadium. You can see the Independence Square monument in the distance.

When I first saw this structure, I couldn’t figure out what it was.

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I then crossed the Bridge of Lovers. It is also known as the Bridge of Suicides (The last suicide was in 2007) and the Devils Bridge (due to it rocking in strong winds).

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Padlocks, with the names of lovers etched on them.

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I eventually came across the Kiev Dynamo Stadium, and discovered the construction I saw earlier was actually one of four floodlight towers for the stadium.

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Another set of buildings that caught my eye on my way to the stadium entrance, was the golden domes of St. Michael’s Monastery. The statue in the background, with the raised sword, also caught my eye. That will be covered in my third Post.

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The main entrance to the Kiev Dynamo Stadium.

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The stadium was the scene of violent unrest during the Euromaiden riots as the anti-government demonstrators headed for the parliament buildings.

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The scene back in January 2014.

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The riot police, along with the Berkut, a quick reaction force, a special police force, had great difficulty quelling the riots and eventually resorted to using gunfire. The Berkut, implemented in 1993, were considered particularly violent towards the Ukrainian citizens. I believe they have now been disbanded.

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A stand off, but with petrol bombs being regularly thrown at the police lines.

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An anti-government protester with helmet and homemade wooden shield.

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The Euromaiden Revolution, as it has become known as, lasted from late November 2013, to late February 2014.

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Fireworks and smoke grenades were used by both sides. The protesters also used slingshots, petrol bombs and heavy chains to attack the riot police.

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Again, the position of those that fell during the riots have been painted on the ground. These ones are just in front of the Kiev Dynamo Stadium.

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These ones on the road itself.

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More memorials to the fallen enroute from Independence Square to the parliament buildings.

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I soon approached the western end of the Verkhovna Rada building, set in Constitution Square. This is where the Ukrainian Parliament meets.

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Now approaching the southern side of the building.

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The iron gates, showing the coat of arms of Ukraine, that lead to the Inner sanctuary of the parliament grounds.

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These were the original gates, echoing the Soviet Epoch.

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In England, you wouldn’t hesitate in asking policemen, or soldiers, who man cerimonial buildings of interest, for a photograph. I approached these two, asking to take a photograph and initially they were extremely reluctant. But, eventually they agreed to make a tourist’s day, and posed for the shot.

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This is the front view of the Parliament building.

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Three storeys high, it is crowned with a dome made of metal and glass.

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There was a fairly heavy police presence around the Parliament building.

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They didn’t appear to be showing any concerns of someone taking photographs of the building.

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But during the riots, the scene was very different.

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It was, and is still, a very complicated situation in Ukraine. So, if some of my information is incorrect, then please flag it to me and I can amend the content. Thank you for reading this first Post.

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