In the spring of 2014, the Donetsk region found itself at the epicenter of turbulent events: for the first time, Russia—shedding its mask as a friendly neighbor—began seizing Ukrainian territory using pro-Russian mercenaries and, later, its regular army. Numerous settlements were occupied. As early as May, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with volunteer battalions, began liberating settlements in the region. Today, it is important to honor the memory of the heroes who bravely stood up to defend Ukraine from the very first days of the war and who have paid—and continue to pay—an exorbitant price for our freedom.
On July 5, 2014, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka from Russian occupation. This was the first significant and extremely important victory over Russian terrorist forces in the first year of the war launched by Moscow. This day became a landmark for the Donetsk region—a symbol of hope in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
A key prerequisite for the liberation of Sloviansk and the Kramatorsk metropolitan area was the liberation of the Lyman region in June 2014.
On July 3, 2014, ATO forces blockaded the city of Mykolaivka and advanced to the Kharkiv–Dovzhansky highway. During this operation, one Ukrainian soldier (Volodymyr Chepelyuk) was killed and four were wounded. On July 4, 2014, Mykolaivka was liberated.
Continuing the liberation operation, the Ukrainian Defense Forces drove the enemy out of Sloviansk. During the fighting on July 4, 2014, Ukrainian forces lost two servicemen: Dmytro Keda and Anton Lysechko.
On the night of July 4–5, a major battle took place at the 5th checkpoint, located on the highway between Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. While retreating from Sloviansk, Russian troops attempted to break through this checkpoint. During the battle, five enemy armored vehicles were destroyed. This was the result of an attempt by one of the militant columns to leave Sloviansk under cover of night. In that battle, the Defense Forces lost three soldiers—Roman Mendel, Oleksandr Serebryakov, and Anton Ignatchenko…
Twelve years ago, Ukrainian soldiers returned Ukraine’s national flags to the cities of northern Donetsk Oblast. And since then, they have been flying proudly there, despite constant enemy shelling…