Today marks 11 years since the start of the heroic defense of Donetsk Airport. On May 27, 2014, a message appeared on the airport’s official Twitter account: “Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev Airport is under the control of the ATO forces. Information regarding the resumption of flights from Donetsk Airport will be provided later.” That day, Ukrainian forces repelled the first large-scale attack by militants and regained control over the strategic facility.
These very days — 11 years ago — marked the beginning of one of the most iconic episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The defense of Donetsk Airport lasted 242 days. Ukrainian defenders, whom the people dubbed “cyborgs,” held the ruins of the airport under relentless assaults, artillery fire, and heavy losses.
The airport was officially closed on June 3, 2014, but in fact, it ceased operations already on May 26, after the fighting and shelling began.
Today, Donetsk Airport remains a symbol of the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit, courage, and devotion. Ukraine remembers every fallen hero of this battle and honors the sacrifice of all who defended it.