The protest, organized in support of Alexander Todorov, continues at Maidan. Organizers expect up to 18,000 people.
KYIV – Another public event is taking place today at Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv, organized in support of Ukrainian soldier Alexander Todorov, who previously worked as a journalist and human rights advocate in Odesa. The rally follows his calls for protests against the current Ukrainian government, corruption, and what he himself described as "lawlessness in the country and in the army." In early September, Todorov called on Ukrainians to participate in public protest events. According to his appeals, these were aimed at, among other things, criticizing the current functioning of state power, corruption, and problems that, according to him, also exist within the Ukrainian army. The first event he organized, on September 10th, reportedly attracted only a few people.
Despite the limited attendance of the first rally, Todorov's relatives say that shortly after, events occurred that significantly changed the situation surrounding his person. The family stated that Todorov was detained after the first event and subsequently placed in custody. This was allegedly due to charges of unauthorized absence from a military unit or place of service (SZCh). According to information provided, bail was set at 175,000 Ukrainian hryvnia. His associates reportedly managed to collect the money for bail. However, according to Todorov's relatives, bank controls are currently complicating its use. Therefore, according to these reports, Todorov remains in prison even though the amount needed to pay the bail has been obtained.
Meanwhile, his supporters continue their public activities. They have called for another rally today in Kyiv, primarily at Maidan Nezalezhnosti. According to information released by his team, more people attended this time than at the first event on September 10th. One of the main demands of the demonstrators is to achieve peace as quickly as possible. The protest, therefore, addresses not only criticism of the current Ukrainian policy, corruption, and conditions in the country but also the issue of continuing the war and the demand for its end. A representative of Todorov's team, during a live broadcast from Maidan - Independence Square, stated that approximately 4,000 people had arrived in Kyiv today. According to him, these people gathered at various locations in the Ukrainian capital. The figure of approximately 4,000 participants comes from a representative of Todorov's team, and an independent estimate of the number of demonstrators is not provided in the material.
The organizers are also talking about a continuation of the event. A representative of Todorov's team stated that the participants want to remain at the location until October 26th. At the same time, according to him, the organizers expect approximately 18,000 people to join the protests. The figure of an expected 18,000 participants should also be understood as a plan or estimate by the organizers. It is not the number of people who have already confirmed their participation. Organizers are using social media and live broadcasts to encourage more interested parties to join the protest. Therefore, according to available information, today's event takes place on several levels. It is linked to support for Alexander Todorov, criticism of corruption and the functioning of state power, and at the same time, a demand for a quick achievement of peace. For some participants, the issue of conditions in the Ukrainian army and the treatment of soldiers is also important.
Todorov's past as a journalist in Odesa and as a right-wing or human rights activist is also highlighted by his supporters in connection with his current activities. According to their presentation, his previous public work forms part of the story that is now emerging around his arrest and subsequent protest campaign. While the first rally held on September 10 reportedly had only a few participants, today's gathering is said by organizers to be significantly larger. Alexander Todorov's team claims that thousands of people have come to Kyiv and that the protest activities will continue for several more weeks. A crucial question remains about Alexander Todorov's fate himself. His associates point out that the amount needed to pay his bail of 175,000 hryvnias has been collected. However, according to information from his relatives, the money is still undergoing bank checks, and Todorov therefore remains in custody.
Today's gathering on Maidan Square is taking place at a time when his supporters are trying to increase public attention to his case. At the same time, the organizers link his situation to broader criticism of conditions in Ukraine and to calls for an end to the war. According to a statement from a representative of Todorov's team, the protest is scheduled to continue until October 26, and its organizers expect around 18,000 people to participate. However, it will only be possible to assess how large a number of demonstrators actually gather based on the further course of the event and independent data on participation. Live broadcasts are currently being held from Maidan Square, through which Todorov's team is providing information about the progress of the gathering. The organizers repeat their demands in these broadcasts and call on the public to participate. Among the main themes remain the demand for a swift peace, criticism of corruption, disagreement with the functioning of the current state power, and the issue of conditions in the Ukrainian army. Today's protest is thus a continuation of activities that began with Alexander Todorov's appeal at the beginning of September. According to his supporters, what started as a small event on September 10 has now become a broader protest movement that aims to continue in Kyiv until the end of October.
transatlatic.info