Today, 29 August, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine. This day is dedicated to the day when the Ukrainian Armed Forces broke out of the encirclement near Ilovaisk, during which, according to official figures, 366 Ukrainian defenders were killed.
“Ilovaysk is not only a tragic event in the history of Ukraine, but also a page of Ukrainian invincibility, an act and a feat of the Ukrainian military. Let us remember that despite the losses and deception of the enemy, our soldiers did not give up, but continued to break through the trap and fight. This day will always remind us of the insidiousness and treachery of the Russian aggressor, that any negotiations with terrorists and murderers are a deadly business and that we cannot trust them,”
– wrote the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi on his social media pages.
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that Ilovaisk would not go unpunished.
“In August 14, on these very days, the Russian occupier committed one of the most despicable crimes of this war – killing hundreds of our soldiers near Ilovaisk. It was a planned, cynical Russian crime that Ukraine will never forget and will not leave unpunished,”
– zelensky wrote.
Why Ilovaisk became a tragic and heroic page in Ukrainian history and what the Russians’ deception was, recalls Komersant ukrainskyi
Background and context of the battle for Ilovaisk
In early August 2014, the situation in eastern Ukraine was extremely tense. Ukrainian troops were actively fighting to contain pro-Russian forces and regain control of the territory. Ilovaysk, located at a key point in eastern Ukraine, was of great strategic importance as it was the main supply route for the militants. Capturing the city would have allowed Ukrainian forces to cut off the supply of weapons and ammunition, as well as significantly limit the enemy’s movement.
In addition, Ilovaysk was an important communication centre, with rail and road routes connecting the occupied territories with Russia. The capture of this city could have been the beginning of a major counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces, which would have significantly changed the course of the war. However, at that time, Ukrainian forces faced a serious lack of resources and had limited capacity to fight protracted battles. Volunteer battalions failed to capture the city.
The beginning of the operation and the first successes of Ukrainian troops
The military operation to capture Ilovaysk began with well-planned actions by Ukrainian units, which included both regular units and volunteer battalions. On 18 August, Ukrainian forces launched an offensive on the town, and in the first days they made significant progress. Volunteer battalions, such as Donbas, Dnipro-1 and Azov, played a key role in the initial phase of the fighting, demonstrating high motivation and determination.
After taking control of a large part of Ilovaysk, Ukrainian troops began to reinforce their positions in preparation for a possible counter-offensive by the militants. At the same time, the Ukrainian army leadership was preparing a plan for further advancement to the east, in particular to Donetsk, which at that time was one of the main centres of pro-Russian forces. The successful completion of the operation could have been an important step in the liberation of Donbas.
Encirclement and intervention of Russian regular troops
The intervention of the Russian Federation dramatically changed the course of the operation. Russian troops, who began crossing the border in early August, operated under the cover of militants, which put additional pressure on Ukrainian units. After regular Russian troops entered the territory of Ukraine on 24 August, it became clear that the situation near Ilovaisk could become critical. Russian troops acted in an organised and coordinated manner, using modern equipment and well-trained personnel.
From that moment on, Ukrainian forces found themselves in a difficult position, as their forces were divided and the front line became vulnerable to flanking attacks by Russian troops. Russian units also used the tactic of massive artillery shelling, which resulted in significant losses among Ukrainian forces and weakened their defensive positions. The situation quickly escalated, and Ukrainian troops found themselves surrounded, unable to receive reinforcements or retreat to safe positions.
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Russian deception and the Ilovaisk disaster
The events of 28-29 August 2014 were a tragedy for the Ukrainian military. After the Ukrainian troops were surrounded, the command tried to negotiate a safe exit from the city through the so-called “humanitarian corridor”. Vladimir Putin publicly appealed to pro-Russian forces to allow the Ukrainian military to leave the encirclement without a fight. This gave hope for saving the lives of many soldiers, but the situation turned out to be quite different.
When the Ukrainian convoys began to move along the agreed routes, they were targeted by Russian troops and militants. Despite promises of a safe exit, the convoys were subjected to massive shelling from heavy artillery, tanks and automatic weapons. This led to heavy losses among the Ukrainian military, many of whom were killed or wounded. Those who survived were taken prisoner. These events became one of the greatest tragedies in modern Ukrainian history, leaving a deep mark on the nation’s memory.
The shooting of the convoys near Ilovaisk was one of the most controversial events of the war in eastern Ukraine. The actions of the Russian military caused outrage in Ukraine and the international community, as they violated all agreements and principles of humanitarian law. The Ilovaysk disaster also revealed serious problems in the Ukrainian command in terms of coordination and defence organisation. These lessons were important for further military reform in Ukraine.
Losses and consequences of the fighting
The losses near Ilovaisk were among the most significant in the entire period of the war in eastern Ukraine. According to official figures, 366 Ukrainian soldiers were killed (unofficially, 368), 18 went missing, 429 were wounded and about 300 were captured. These losses were catastrophic for the Ukrainian army and were a serious blow to the morale of the troops and society as a whole. Many families lost their loved ones, and the Ilovaysk tragedy left a deep emotional scar.
In addition to human losses, the Ukrainian army suffered significant losses of equipment. More than 125 armoured vehicles were destroyed or captured, which significantly reduced the combat capability of Ukrainian units at the front. This defeat led to the need to reassess the strategy and tactics of warfare. After Ilovaisk, the Ukrainian command was forced to draw conclusions and begin preparing for a long-term conflict with Russia, which, as it became clear, was ready for active military intervention.
The political consequences of the events near Ilovaisk were no less significant. The defeat of Ukrainian troops pushed the country’s leadership to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict. This led to the signing of the Minsk Agreements, which, although they suspended active hostilities, failed to bring lasting peace. The events near Ilovaisk became a symbol of the complexity of the war in Donbas and caused a wave of criticism against the country’s leadership and military command.
Commemorating the victims
After the end of the fighting near Ilovaisk, a complex and painful process of identification and reburial of the dead began. This process lasted for several years, as many bodies were severely damaged or left on the battlefield. Volunteers, doctors and forensic experts came to the rescue and made every effort to ensure that each and every one of the dead was identified and buried with honour. The families of the victims had the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones, and the country had the opportunity to honour the memory of its heroes.
Commemorating those killed in Ilovaisk has become an important part of Ukraine’s national memory. Every year at the end of August, memorial events are held across the country to commemorate these tragic events. Many cities have memorials and memorials dedicated to the fallen soldiers. Monuments have also been erected at the site of the Ilovaisk battle to commemorate the tragedy that took place there and the courage of the Ukrainian military who fought to the last for the freedom of their country.