Ukrainian children in Kiev show off a sign they made in response to the Crimea referendum.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
Maia Mikhaluk is a freelance photographer and one of the protesters who has been documenting the unrest in Ukraine since February 18. In these photos, she offers us a glimpse of the faces inside Maidan, the central square in Kiev where the majority of the demonstrations took place.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
Maia Mikhaluk said that the people of Ukraine had a chance to live out the words of their national anthem: "We'll lay our bodies and souls for our freedom."
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
Mikhaluk said that since the evening of February 18, a once peaceful Euromaidan had become a battlefield.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
A protester washes his hands in Kiev's Independence Square.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
Independence Square after a week of protests."This sunny day felt like spring cleaning, like taking care of our home together!" Mikhaluk said.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
During the demonstrations and afterward, people passed out sandwiches for protesters who were camped out in the city square.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
A woman tends to the wounds of a Ukrainian soldier.
Courtesy maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
A young girl plays piano in downtown Kiev 10 days after protests there.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
"People are still coming with flowers and grieving for the heroes who laid their lives for free Ukraine. The streets are like rivers of flowers,'" Mikhaluk said.
Courtesy Maia Mihaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
Mikhaluk says Ukrainians were still mourning when the upper house of Russia's Parliament approved Russia's use of military intervention in Ukraine.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
Meanwhile, Ukrainians have started cleaning Kiev after several months of protesting.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
A young family lights candles in memory of those who died protesting in Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the central square of Kiev.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
"Most weddings in Kiev now find their way to Maidan, as newlyweds come to give their gratitude and give honor to the heroes," Mikhaluk said.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
"People in Ukraine are very concerned, scared -- war has not been a part of reality of the lives of our generation," Mikhaluk said.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
A young Ukrainian boy cheers in support of his country.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
A young couple embraces in Kiev's main square where people have gathered to show their support for their country.
Courtesy Maia Mikhaluk
Ukraine crisis: One woman's story —
"No civil war in Ukraine, Mr. Putin! It must be getting harder to justify the presence of military force to protect somebody when nobody is in danger," Mikhaluk said.