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 May 23, 2014, a sabotage group of Russian troops attacked a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint at the entrance to the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz on the Dobropillia–Kramatorsk highway.
The attack followed the same pattern as the one that had occurred the day before near Volnovakha. A patrol car and an armored cash transport van pulled up to the checkpoint. While the vehicles were stopped for document checks, the occupants threw stun grenades and opened fire.
At the same time, the enemy opened heavy fire from a wooded area near the checkpoint, attempting to force the soldiers of the 93rd Brigade to take cover and prevent them from returning fire. Despite this, volunteer soldiers—tank crewman Yuriy Sityayev and BMP driver-mechanic Andriy Abrosimov—were the first to engage in combat and took the brunt of the attack, buying time for their comrades to repel the assault.
Ukrainian troops inflicted casualties on the saboteurs with return fire. Unfortunately, Yuriy Sityayev and Andriy Abrosimov sustained fatal injuries; Andriy Derilo died in the hospital from wounds sustained during the battle.
For their personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, their loyalty to the military oath, and their unbreakable spirit, the fallen soldiers were posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class.