My parents were Ukrainian refugees after the Second World War, and having been raised in a Ukrainian community from birth, I understand why many Ukrainians are willing to risk death in a bid for change.

The country originally declared independence after the Russian revolution in 1917, but were soon swamped by the Red Army and became part of USSR. Millions of central and eastern Ukrainians starved to death in 1922 then again in 1933 in well-documented famines as crops were taken to pay for machinery under Stalin’s modernisation plans. Protesters were shot or sent to work camps in Siberia. It was no surprise that my father, with thousands more, fought for freedom against the Russians.

I was in Kiev a couple of years ago during the pro- Yulia demonstrations in the Independent Square. What struck me was that the anti-Yulia counter demo acted aggressively and shouted Communist slogans in Russian. The police, taxi drivers, shop managers and bar staff were Russian speakers. Ukrainians seemed to have the menial jobs, and I was laughed at when speaking Ukrainian, and told this was Russia.

The rejection of Europe in favour of close ties to Russia was the final straw for many. What was a brooding underground network of nationalists has sprung up to make their stand. There have been several battles for independence with many crushing defeats over the past century, but this time a big weapon was publicity and public opinion. Ukraine has suffered, and fought a long time for true freedom and, given the chance to grow, will become a real asset with its strong manufacturing and agricultural economy.

Mike Bojczuk, Grand Avenue, Hove