On January 20, Ukraine honors the defenders of the Donetsk airport. The heroes who held the defense of DAP in fierce battles for more than 240 days became known as "cyborgs".
Day of remembrance of DAP defenders
Eight years ago, the heroic defense of the Donetsk airport ended. On January 20, 2015, more than 40 Ukrainian soldiers were killed as a result of the explosion of the building of the new terminal. The next day, the command made a decision to withdraw from the DAP due to the destruction of the object.
In memory of those tragic events, by order of the Ministry of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, January 20 has been established as the Day of Commemoration of the Defenders of Donetsk Airport.
This day is dedicated not only to the military, but also to medics, volunteers and everyone who helped Ukrainian heroes in the battles for DAP.
"For us now, this is not just a story. This is an example of how to fight for our country. When human resilience is stronger than steel and concrete. When it is almost impossible to stand, but you have to stand to the end. When honor and dignity are above all," – says the message of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Defense of Donetsk Airport
The fighting for Serhiy Prokofiev Airport in Donetsk lasted from May 26, 2014 to January 22, 2015. In 242 days, almost all the buildings and the resort were destroyed.
Russian militants made the first attempt to seize DAP at the end of May 2014, but Ukrainian forces managed to gain a foothold on the territory of the airport and firmly hold its defenses throughout the summer.
Attacks by the occupiers resumed in the fall after the conclusion of the "Minsk Agreements", according to which the parties were to withdraw their forces from the contact line. Instead, the occupiers stepped up attacks in the airport area.
In December 2014, the old terminal was destroyed, and on January 13, 2015, as a result of shelling, the 45-meter control tower, which was a strategically important object, collapsed. For the next few days, battles were fought for each floor of the new terminal.
The most dramatic day was January 20, 2015. Russian militants blew up the columns that held the airport ceiling. 41 Ukrainian defenders died under the debris.
On January 21, ATO forces began withdrawing from DAP.
Who are "cyborgs"
Donetsk airport and its defenders have become a symbol of indomitability, courage and fighting spirit of Ukrainians.
The soldiers, who did not limit their abilities to the last defense, were called "cyborgs".
The phrase: "Cyborgs survived, concrete did not."
A total of more than 2,500 soldiers and volunteers took part in battles for the DAP during 8 months.
Special forces of the 3rd separate regiment, fighters of the 79th, 80th, 81st, 95th separate airmobile and 93rd separate mechanized brigades, the 57th separate motorized infantry brigade, the 90th separate airmobile and 74th of the separate reconnaissance battalion, fighters of the Dnipro-1 regiment, the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and others.
100 Ukrainian soldiers died during the fighting. Nearly 500 soldiers were injured. Many of them received awards, and 5 fighters received the title "Hero of Ukraine" posthumously.
