The Orange Revolution of 2004 filled Ukraine with hope — a peaceful protest that overturned a rigged election and promised a new era of reform. But what happens after the tents come down and the scarves are put away? In this episode, Dad explores the messy years that followed, when big promises collided with political rivalries, economic shocks, and old habits that refused to die.

We’ll look at Viktor Yushchenko’s early reform efforts, Yulia Tymoshenko’s fiery charisma (and rivalry), the infamous “gas wars” with Russia, and how infighting within the Orange camp eroded public trust. Add in the 2008 globalfinancial crisis, plummeting approval ratings, and the political comeback of Viktor Yanukovych — and Ukraine’s bright Orange glow dimmed into widespread disillusionment.

By 2010, the Orange Revolution’s hero was sidelined, and the man it once defeated, Yanukovych, had reclaimed the presidency. Ukraine had learned the hard way that winning a revolution is one thing — but building lasting change is another.

Follow History with Dad for more stories of Ukraine’s long and complicated path through history.

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