In July 2014, as they advanced toward Donetsk, ATO forces took control of the suburbs of Donetsk. The Sector “B” command assigned the task of liberating Krasnohorivka to the Dnipropetrovsk 20th Territorial Defense Battalion, reinforced by special forces from the 3rd Regiment, volunteers from “Donbas” and “Right Sector,” as well as several units of heavy weapons and armored vehicles.
On August 1, 2014, two assault groups of ATO forces flanked Krasnohorivka from the north and entered the town from the rear. The Ukrainian troops’ attack from the east came as a complete surprise to the militants. One of the assault groups attacked the central part of the town, where the administrative buildings were located, while the other combed through the southern, industrial part of Avdiivka.
Military special forces operated in the northern part of the town. A small group from the 20th Armored Brigade pinned down and distracted the enemy in the west. The militants’ stronghold in the Sobachaya Gora area was destroyed by mortar fire. The enemy’s defenses collapsed almost immediately. The only serious clash took place near the city’s military registration and enlistment office. It took ATO forces one day to liberate Krasnohorivka.
During the fighting to liberate Krasnohorivka from Russian terrorists, Senior Driver Roman Vlasyuk of the 51st Separate Mechanized Brigade was killed when an enemy shell struck his armored personnel carrier. By decree of the President of Ukraine dated June 4, 2015, he was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class.
Today, on the 12th anniversary of Krasnohorivka’s liberation from Russian occupation, we honor every soldier who fought for this Ukrainian city and remember their heroic deeds.