In mid-April 2014, reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Russian Federation’s armed forces invaded eastern Ukraine. Starting on April 12, a number of settlements in the Donetsk region were forcibly seized—on that day and the following day, armed Russian mercenaries simultaneously attacked government institutions and local authorities in cities across the Donetsk region. On April 14, 2014, the National Security and Defense Council’s resolution “On Urgent Measures to Overcome the Terrorist Threat and Preserve the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine” was enacted.
Consequently, the Donetsk region found itself at the epicenter of hostilities. Some of the region’s settlements were occupied by the enemy. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military continued to take measures to repel the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine and, by early June, had moved to active operations to liberate the region’s settlements.
On the morning of June 3, the Ukrainian military launched an operation to liberate the city of Lyman. The assault took place simultaneously on three fronts, supported by artillery, army aviation, and Air Force aircraft. To destroy enemy firing positions and fortifications on the approaches to the city, a Su-25 ground-attack aircraft, a MiG-29 fighter, and a Mi-24 attack helicopter were deployed. Mi-8 helicopters were used to transport troops, and An-30B aircraft for reconnaissance.
Units from the National Guard of Ukraine, the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade, the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Tavriya Brigade, and the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Polissya Brigade, as well as special forces from the Ministry of Internal Affairs—the “Jaguar” and “Omega” regiments.
By 1:30 p.m., ATO forces had completely surrounded the city. Toward evening, they cleared part of Lyman and reached the railroad tracks. The next day, the blue-and-yellow flag flew over the city’s government buildings.
During the operation, a training base, checkpoints, and militant fortifications were destroyed, and some Russian and pro-Russian forces were pushed back toward Sloviansk. This marked one of Ukraine’s first victories in the war against Russian aggression and an important milestone in the struggle to restore state control over the territories of Donetsk Oblast.
Despite all the hardships, Donetsk Oblast continues to fight for freedom, independence, and the right to be part of a united Ukrainian state.