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 5, Donetsk Oblast honors the memory of Oleksandr Anishchenko, Ruslan Luzhevsky, and Viktor Dolinsky.
On this day in 2014, two platoons of the Kalynivka Operational Regiment, together with fighters from the SBU’s “Alpha” special forces unit and paratroopers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, set out in armored personnel carriers toward Sloviansk. The group was tasked with conducting reconnaissance and providing fire support for the troops preparing to liberate the city, which had been seized by Russian terrorists.
Near the village of Semenivka, at a railroad crossing, the group was ambushed and came under fire from three sides. When one of the APCs was hit, Oleksandr Anishchenko and his comrades formed a defensive perimeter, covering the evacuation of the wounded.
The intense battle lasted several hours. Having taken up positions in residential buildings, the enemy unleashed a barrage of fire on the Ukrainian troops. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the Ukrainian defenders, the lives of dozens of civilians who were in the settlement were saved.
The following were killed in that battle: Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Anishchenko, commander of the Sumy branch of the SBU’s “Alpha” unit; Major Ruslan Luzhevsky, an instructor with the Kyiv “Alpha” unit; and Warrant Officer Viktor Dolynsky of the “Jaguar” regiment.
By Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 543/2014 dated June 20, 2014, “for personal courage and heroism displayed in the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class, was posthumously awarded to: Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Anischenko and Major Ruslan Luzhevsky; Ensign Viktor Dolinsky was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd Class.
In addition, “for exceptional courage, heroism, and self-sacrifice demonstrated in the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and loyalty to the military oath,” by Decrees of the President of Ukraine No. 1/2015 of January 2, 2015, and No. 839/2014 of November 3, 2014, Oleksandr Anishchenko and Ruslan Luzhevsky, respectively, were awarded the title of “Hero of Ukraine” along with the Order of the “Golden Star” (posthumously).