In the spring of 2014, the Donetsk region found itself at the epicenter of turbulent events: for the first time, Russia—having shed its mask as a friendly neighbor—began seizing Ukrainian territory using pro-Russian mercenaries and, later, its regular army. Numerous settlements found themselves under occupation. As early as May, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with volunteer battalions, began liberating settlements in the region. Today, it is important to preserve the memory of the Heroes who bravely stood up to defend Ukraine from the very first days of the war and who paid—and continue to pay—an exorbitant price for our freedom.
On the night of May 13, a group of up to twenty Russian militants infiltrated the encirclement perimeter and advanced toward the village of Mayachka in the Cherkasy community. It is clear that the terrorists had considerable combat experience; otherwise, it is difficult to explain why they were able to choose such a strategic location for their ambush—the bridge in front of the Kramatorsk Reservoir. The ambush itself was also quite technically sophisticated.
Around 12:30 p.m., a rear convoy of the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade approached the ambush site. Naturally, as it approached the bridge, the convoy slowed down, becoming an easy target for the enemy. The convoy itself consisted of two BTR-80s and three GAZ-66 trucks carrying mortars, water, and supplies for Ukrainian checkpoints.
The first RPG shot hit the lead BTR-80, which blocked the road to the bridge for the entire convoy. At the same time, the attackers opened heavy fire with small arms. The second BTR rammed the lead armored personnel carrier, pushing it off the road and clearing the way. After a grenade struck the engine compartment directly, the vehicle came to a stop.
The soldiers engaged in combat, which lasted nearly an hour.
The driver of the lead APC—Private Sergei Solovyov—managed to start the engine and drive the vehicle out of the line of fire.
The GAZ-66 trucks came under enemy fire in the first minutes of the battle. The driver of one of them steered the vehicle downhill toward the lake, while the other two, carrying the mortars, continued on. As a result of bullets hitting the vehicle bodies, the cargo in one of them was completely destroyed, while in the other it was partially spared.
The Russian troops quickly abandoned the site of the attack, so the search by reserve units yielded no results.
That day, during the battle, 8 servicemen sustained injuries of varying severity, and 6 were killed: Major Vadym Zabrotskyi; Captain Vitalii Dulchyk; Sergeant Vitalii Rudyi; Sergeant Oleg Slavitskyi; Junior Sergeant Serhii Khrushch; and Senior Private Oleksandr Yakymov.
By decrees of the President of Ukraine, for personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, loyalty to the military oath, and unbreakable spirit, all the fallen servicemen were posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class.
At that time, these were the brigade’s heaviest losses in the War for Ukraine’s Independence.