242. This figure went down in history as the number of days of defense of Donetsk Airport. They withstood 242 days under constant shelling, the concrete could not withstand it. The enemy called them "cyborgs". Donetsk Airport became a symbol of courage and brotherhood.
On January 20, on the Day of Honoring the Defenders of Donetsk Airport, the Ukrainian News agency will recall how one of the first, largest battles of the russian-Ukrainian war lasted.
The new terminal of Serhii Prokofiev airport was opened in May before the start of Euro 2012. The construction of the airport cost the state UAH 7 billion. About a million passengers managed to use it. However, the "russian spring" and the self-proclaimed "DPR" put an end to the peaceful history of the airport.
Donetsk Airport before the start of hostilities
At the end of May 2014, militants from the Vostok group occupied the approaches to the airport and penetrated the new terminal. They were stopped by fighters from the third regiment of the Kirovohrad special forces, who had been standing guard here since April. The first shot was fired from the roof of the old terminal by a Ukrainian sniper. He accurately shot a mercenary who had sent the Igla MANPADS to the Su-25 aircraft.
In two days, special forces managed to knock out pro-russian militants from the airport. This strategic facility will remain under the control of the Ukrainian army for another eight months. Separatists and pro-russian militants began storming Donetsk Airport around the clock in September 2014 before the signing of the Minsk Agreements. When the russians realized that they would only be able to take Donetsk Airport at the cost of great casualties, they decided to simply destroy it.
The soldiers who were there say that after several weeks of fighting, the building resembled Swiss cheese. There was nowhere to hide. Technical rooms made of concrete became more or less suitable shelters. The situation was getting more complicated. The militants seized the old terminal and other objects around it. Changing "cyborgs", supplying ammunition, water and food became the most dangerous thing.
The ruins of the airport (from the inside)
However, the Ukrainian military could not leave the airfield. While Donetsk Airport held on, the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to take full control of Avdiivka, Pisky, Opytne, Vodiane, improve the operational situation and prevent further advance of the militants in this direction.
Since the beginning of 2015, the defenders of the airport have been practically completely surrounded. There was severe frost. On January 16, the General Staff began an operation to unblock the airport. At that time, the militants blew up the floors between the floors. The wounded and shell-shocked defenders of Donetsk Airport were waiting for help, but in the fog the deblocking group reached the enemy's positions and was captured. On January 21, the last battles for Donetsk Airport subsided.
For 242 days, fighters from many units and volunteer battalions took part in the defense of Donetsk Airport. According to the General Staff, 101 servicemen were killed during the 242 days of Donetsk Airport defense. 440 people were injured, nine went missing.
Recall that on January 19, Ukrainians remembered another memorable date associated with the russian-Ukrainian war. On this day, a violent confrontation between opponents of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the police began on Hrushevskoho Street in Kyiv.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.