Ilovaisk. Part 2

This series of articles about the beginning of the war in 2014 continues to examine the events surrounding Ilovaisk, which began with the first armed clashes on August 4, 2014.

The initial stage of the operation aimed to restore control over the city, located 40 kilometres east of Donetsk and 45 kilometres from the border with russia. Ilovaisk served as a key transport hub through which weapons were supplied to the enemy. Ukraine’s sovereignty was defended by both units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and volunteer formations, which fought side by side under difficult conditions.

The turning point came on August 18, 2014, when Ukrainian forces entered the city and took control of most of its territory. Fighting continued for every neighbourhood under intense fire.

However, the situation changed dramatically on August 24, 2014, when regular russian armed formations crossed the border into Ukraine. The invasion of battalion tactical groups equipped with heavy armoured vehicles encircled the Ukrainian forces in the Ilovaisk area, cutting them off from the main forces.

Ukrainian units found themselves under constant artillery fire, without adequate air cover or reserves capable of breaking the encirclement. The city’s defenders held their positions while completely surrounded for several days, demonstrating remarkable resilience under critical conditions.

In late August, negotiations began to establish a humanitarian corridor through which the units could withdraw. The agreements reached provided for the unhindered withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from their positions in the city. However, these agreements turned out to be a trap.

The final part of this story—the events of the tragic day of August 29, 2014, and their symbols—will be explored in the third article.