On November 21, Ukraine marks the so-called Dignity and Freedom Day, commemorating the US-backed 2004 Orange Revolution and 2014 Euromaidan, including the US-orchestrated “third round” election that overturned Viktor Yanukovich’s victory to install Viktor Yushchenko.
“The campaign is an American creation, a sophisticated and brilliantly conceived exercise in Western branding and mass marketing,” The Guardian’s Ian Traynor wrote of the 2004 upheaval in November that year, comparing it to “the US government-funded and organized” Velvet Revolution, Revolution of Roses and an attempted coup in Belarus.
How Much Did the Orange Revolution Cost?
The US and its allies reportedly spent $65–$100 million over two years to support Viktor Yushchenko-led opposition, with much of the funding allegedly covert and funneled through NGOs.