In April 2014, Russia-backed militants of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" captured Avdiivka. The city was of great tactical importance for the Anti-Terrorist Operation, as it was part of the Donetsk-Makiyivka agglomeration. Control over Avdiivka opened the way to the northern outskirts of Donetsk and Yasynuvata, the southern outskirts of Horlivka, and the Donetsk-Horlivka highway.
The operation to liberate Avdiivka began on July 28, 2014. On that day, units of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade launched a counteroffensive in the Avdiivka area. The Ukrainian military bypassed the militants' positions and attacked the enemy from a bypass road. After clearing the enemy checkpoints, Ukrainian defenders gained a foothold near a local shopping mall. In the evening of July 29, overcoming militants' resistance, Right Sector fighters entered Avdiivka.
Since the evening of July 29, Ukrainian forces have been clearing the city, periodically repelling heavy fire from pro-Russian forces. Our military managed to reach the city center and occupy the buildings of the executive committee of the city council and the police department. By the end of the day on July 30, Avdiivka returned to blue and yellow flags.
With all their might, the military conducted a brilliant liberation operation, returning the city to the control of the Ukrainian authorities. It should be noted that although the enemy was firing heavily, there were no casualties.
After the liberation, the war crimes of the occupiers were exposed - the Ukrainian military discovered a torture chamber with terrorist victims.
For all the years after the liberation, Avdiivka remained a frontline city, where shots were heard in some places. Despite periodic shelling, the city has been developing for eight years. In February 2018, gas supply was restored, which had been absent in the city for four years due to a destroyed gas pipeline. In the same year, the Avdiivka FM art festival was held for the first time. Later it became an annual event. Rescuers rebuilt hundreds of roofs of private houses that had been destroyed by the occupiers. In December 2020, Ukrzaliznytsia launched the Avdiivka-Kyiv train. On September 1, 2021, the reconstructed hub school was opened.
Unfortunately, the city is celebrating this year's Liberation Day under occupation. Nevertheless, it remains a symbol of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian military and the city's residents.