Lev Kamenev vs Viktor Yanukovych

In October 1917, Kamenev and Zinoviev publicly opposed Lenin's plan for an armed uprising against the Provisional Government. They argued that the Bolsheviks were not strong enough to seize power, leading to a temporary split with Lenin and accusations of betrayal.

Kamenev served as chairman of the Moscow Soviet (city council) from 1918 to 1926. In this role, he managed the administration of Moscow during the early Soviet period, overseeing the implementation of Bolshevik policies in the capital.

Kamenev joined Zinoviev in forming the United Opposition against Stalin's policies. They criticized the growing bureaucracy and Stalin's moderate approach to the NEP, advocating for more radical industrialization and world revolution, but were defeated at the 14th Party Congress.

Kamenev was tried alongside Zinoviev in the first Moscow Show Trial in August 1936. Accused of terrorism and plotting with Trotsky, he was found guilty and executed on August 25, 1936, marking a key event in Stalin's elimination of Old Bolshevik rivals.

Yanukovych won the presidential election, defeating Yulia Tymoshenko in a runoff. His victory was seen as a shift toward closer ties with Russia and a reversal of Orange Revolution policies.

Yanukovych abruptly suspended preparations for signing an association agreement with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with Russia. This decision triggered the Euromaidan protests.

After months of protests and violent clashes, Yanukovych fled Kyiv for Russia. The Ukrainian parliament voted to remove him from office. His ousting led to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas.

Yanukovych settled in Russia, where he claimed to still be the legitimate president of Ukraine. He was tried in absentia and convicted of treason by a Ukrainian court. He remains a fugitive.