The Ukraine

Once a part of the Soviet Union, the Ukraine was said to be the second most successful economy in the union. It consisted of an arms industry and substantial agricultural land with the potential to feed a large part of the Soviet Union. Political differences led to a declaration of independence in 1991. Prior to this, many people are reported to have died through lack of food. Further details unknown. There followed a period of economic then political unrest according to one report.
In 2004, Viktor Yanukovych is documented to have won the presidential election, but according to legislation the supreme court ruled in favour of the main candidate for the opposition, Viktor Yushchenko. Yanukovych is currently in exile in Russia. According to news, Yushchenko, who was reported to be a victim of poisoning, was returned to power in 2005.
There followed an as termed orange revolution, described as intervention and political training said to be funded by the US and various international agencies. Reported violent protests led to new anti protest laws. Yanukovych signed what was described as a compromise deal, said to promise constitutional democracy. He called for an election to be held in December 2014, however, he was replaced by Petro Poroshenko who is thought to be a western contingent.
The ousting of Yanukovych led to Russia apparently invading Crimea, though in a referendum, 97% of inhabitants voted to join Russia. Protests from supporters of Yanukovych, some of whom were armed and were attempting to take over government buildings, led to a government crackdown. An estimated 9000 people were said to have been killed.
According to a figures, there may be 13 million more Ukrainians living abroad since 1990; thought to be a migration due to political reasons not thoroughly explained.