The crisis in Ukraine has spawned a steady stream of Internet memes, some lighthearted, others biting, all deeply political.
Here are some of the most popular.
"Neo-Nazi" Ukrainian leaders
A favorite meme of pro-Russian Internet users, centered on Moscow's claims that the new authorities in Kyiv are cozy with neo-Nazi groups.
A rather interesting meme doing the rounds today about the new #Ukraine government. pic.twitter.com/GpoT6b4GDT
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) March 6, 2014
The War Crimes the #kievjunta have committed are un acceptable. Where are the Nuremberg Trials? #savedonbaspeople pic.twitter.com/doBj5IlrKS
— Socialist US (@Socialism_us) June 4, 2014
Doormats
Yes, in Ukraine even doormats are being drawn into politics. This one invites Kiyv residents to wipe their feet on ousted President Viktor Yanukovych:
Yanukovych doormat on sale in Independence Square Kyiv. #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/tPyCuVOhxo
— Paul Waldie (@pwaldieGLOBE) March 16, 2014
"So the doormat doesn't get stained," it says in the tweeted pic below. People living here are obviously peeved with Washington, which has staunchly backed Ukraine's new Western-leaning leadership.
Meme going round today. US foreign policy has not made them universally popular in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/MzNmtdxaFk
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) March 26, 2014
Gas Crisis
Ukraine is currently embroiled in its third "gas war" with Russia, which dramatically raised tariffs following the ouster of Moscow-friendly Yanukovych and has now halted supplies.
This rather unfeeling meme advises Ukrainians who have "no gas and are cold in winter" to get outfitted for the chilly weather.
#юмор@rus_improvisation pic.twitter.com/f3m9hflEqt
— Русские не сдаются (@RussiansForward) June 23, 2014
Although Moscow itself has denied any irregularities, rumors persist that the new Ukrainian leadership is siphoning off Russian gas transiting through the country to Europe are proving resilient.
«Газпром»: Украина продолжает нагло воровать газ http://t.co/pUIo2OFHiC pic.twitter.com/9hB4axY9ll
— Человек онлайн (@chelovekonline) June 23, 2014
"Putin is a d***khead (khuilo/huilo)"
The battle cry of hardened pro-Ukraine activists, given a recent boost by Andriy Deshchytsya, until recently Ukraine's acting foreign minister, has inspired many a meme-maker, such as this one
Vladimir tell me, what does Huilo mean ... pic.twitter.com/3NlQCMy5AV
— Кот Вопроскин (@Voproskin) June 25, 2014
David Cameron
The British Prime Minister posted a very serious photo of himself discussing Ukraine with U.S. President Barack Obama over the phone...
I've been speaking to @BarackObama about the situation in Ukraine. We are united in condemnation of Russia's actions. pic.twitter.com/7Rk2k8iOIK
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 5, 2014
...leading to a fair amount of ridicule.
.@robdelaney @David_Cameron @BarackObama I'm now patched in as well. Sorry for the delay. pic.twitter.com/elLQcKcV3w
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 5, 2014
@hrtbps pic.twitter.com/CdXxHJjxnp
— El Nombre (@lukebushnellwye) March 5, 2014
David who ? #davecalls pic.twitter.com/JIlOTeocpY
— I'm Atticus (@windlerob) March 5, 2014
Jen Psaki
U.S. State Department spokeswoman has been a favorite target of Russian social-media activists, who have ridiculed her for condemning "carousel voting" during a separatist referendum in Ukraine before admitting she did not know what the term referred to.
Her detractors have even come up with a new word, "psaking," or talking through one's hat.
This one says: "At home with Jen Psaki"
"We all know what's happening in eastern Ukraine," says another VKontakte post. "Separatists are separating with a separator."
Yarosh's Business Card
A hugely popular meme referring to Russian claims that the business card of Ukrainian ultranationalist Dmytro Yarosh, leader of the group Right Sector, was found at the scene of a deadly shootout in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainians have been poking fun at the accusation.
Here, Yarosh's Right Sektor group is "blamed" for the fall of a Russian satellite in May.
"It's even in Putin's chest pocket!" says this tweeter:
Господин Пу, вы эти визитки собираете или распространяете? Определитесь, наконец!... #ВизиткаЯроша pic.twitter.com/Ro3E1OkBtn
— Лилия Калашник (@kalaschniklilia) April 21, 2014
"Save Donbas People" (from Ukraine)
Eastern Ukrainians who oppose the Ukrainian army's operation against separatists in the east have been posting pictures of themselves – or their kids -- holding "Save Donbas People from Ukrainian Army" placards.
#SaveDonbasPeople pic.twitter.com/LtyOF9stlb
— ✏✏Anton Gubarev (@Rumincheg) May 28, 2014
Heartbreaking.. #savedonbaschildren #SaveDonbasPeople #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/H4iUNTwbQK
— anna_novikova (@anna_novikova) June 15, 2014
"Save Donbas People" (from Russia)
Pro-Ukraine activists have started their own spinoff of the "Save Donbas People" placard meme.
#savedonbaspeople from putin pic.twitter.com/2peJVj0GNM
— шэйкер (@panshaiker) May 28, 2014
#SaveDonbassPeople #SaveDonbasPeople from Russia. Please RT | EMPR Post pic.twitter.com/4GPJGAyGnp
— Euromaidan PR (@EuromaidanPR) May 29, 2014
Separatist Pets
Separatist sympathizers, using the #сепаратяка ("little separatist") hashtag, have been rallying their pets to the cause.
This mostly involves donning them with the black-and-orange St. George's ribbon.
собака-сепаратяка pic.twitter.com/R4IA0Uyhu3
— Владимир Бибик ✈ (@spitfire_60) April 17, 2014
#сепаратяка pic.twitter.com/i1ZanhO8ai
— Антимайдан (@anti_maydan) April 18, 2014
There's even rabbits!
There also seem to be these particularly dangerous-looking "separatist" bunnies in the #Donetsk Republic. ;) #Донецк pic.twitter.com/McClqOLRkY
— Nina Byzantina (@NinaByzantina) April 28, 2014
-- Claire Bigg