Commemoration Day of Donetsk Airport Defenders: 11 Years of Valor
In Ukraine, January 20, 2026, marks the Commemoration Day of the Defenders of Donetsk Airport. This day commemorates the 11th anniversary of the end of fierce battles for the airport, which lasted from May 2014.
In 2022, a decision was made to establish January 20 as the Commemoration Day for the defenders of DAP, signed by the Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Previously, the memory of the "cyborgs" was honored on January 16, reports Ukrinform.
For 242 days, Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers, medics, and volunteers bravely fought against Russian occupiers and pro-Russian militants. The battles took place at the territory of the "Donetsk" International Airport named after Sergey Prokofiev.
During the defense of the airport, the defenders were referred to as "cyborgs". The phrase "People stood firm, concrete did not" succinctly captured the prolonged resistance on this small foothold.
The airport, opened in 1933, underwent significant modernization before Euro 2012, with a new runway and terminal constructed. This terminal was blown up by pro-Russian illegal armed groups on January 20, 2015, which ultimately destroyed the airport.
The first attempt to capture the airport by Russian forces occurred on April 17, 2014, and from May 6, all flights were suspended. The active phase of fighting began on May 26, when Russian troops and militants entered the new terminal. As a result of coordinated actions by Ukrainian aviation and ground forces, the enemy was pushed back, and the airport came under the control of ATO forces.
Later, the city of Donetsk experienced full destabilization, the beginning of occupation, and endless attempts by the enemy to regain control over the airport, but Ukrainian warriors held their positions under heavy fire.
Throughout the summer of 2014, combat engagements were sporadic, but from early September, the fighting escalated again as the enemy intensified its offensive in violation of the Minsk agreements.
Ukrainian servicemen maintained control over the old and new terminals. The village of Pisky served as a stronghold for ATO forces, where supplies and ammunition were delivered to airport defenders, along with rotations. Artillery for fire support was also deployed in this village.
Pro-Russian forces systematically stormed the terminals, seized new positions, lost them, and prepared for further assaults. In December 2014, the old terminal suffered significant damage, and on January 13, 2015, the control tower of Donetsk Airport, held by Ukrainian fighters, collapsed. It became the "eyes" of the DAP defenders and a symbol of their heroism.
Fighting in the new terminal occurred on various floors — during the final stages of the battle, Ukrainian soldiers held the first floor while the basement and upper floors were controlled by the enemy. When pro-Russian forces blew up the new terminal on January 20, concrete ceilings in many sections collapsed, burying Ukrainian defenders beneath. On January 22, 2015, the surviving defenders exited the terminal. This date is regarded as the day when Donetsk Airport was completely destroyed.
The defense of Donetsk Airport became one of the first battles of the Russian-Ukrainian war and an important phase in the confrontation in Eastern Ukraine.
