It all began with the so-called Maidan revolution, and a struggle to define Ukraine's identity.
Would the country's future lie in the West, with more integration with Europe? Or in the East, and even closer ties with Moscow?
The protests eventually forced Ukraine's pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, out of power. Then a new struggle began, one that would see Ukraine's territorial integrity torn apart.
Fighting broke out between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists. Later, self-declared republics were established in Donetsk and Luhansk.
The conflict has killed around 9,000 people, and has forced an estimated two million from their homes.
Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford returned to Eastern Ukraine, to tell the stories of those left behind - many of whom feel they've been forgotten by the world.
Presenter: Laura Kyle
Guests:
Oleksii Makeiev - Political Director, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Alexander Hug - Deputy Chief Monitor, OSCE Mission in Ukraine
