A memorial event dedicated to the sixth anniversary of the beginning of hostilities in Ilovaisk took place on Sunday of July 12 near the bas-relief of the Mother of Sorrows. The meeting was attended by Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin, mayor of the town Ruslan Dudnikov, combat veteran Yevgeny Trufanov, residents and guests of the town, the press service of the Administration of the Head reports.
“Dear friends, residents and guests of the town of military glory Ilovaysk, today we have gathered to commemorate a tragic date that at the same time was crucial for the emergence of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the Head of the DPR addressed the participants in the event.
Denis Pushilin stressed that the battle for Ilovaysk was one of the key victories of the Donetsk People’s Republic that predetermined the future of all of Donbass.
“Exactly six years ago, on July 12, Ukrainian troops shelled Ilovaysk for the first time. The hot summer of 2014 was here one of the most difficult stages of the war in Donbass. Kiev planned to take your town by Independence Day of Ukraine, August 24. According to the plan of the Ukrainian aggressors, this “holiday gift” was supposed to symbolize the beginning of “victorious war” of Kiev for Donbass. However, the invasive plans of the Ukrainian militants were not destined to come true!
The battle for Ilovaysk was one of the crucial military victories of the Donetsk People’s Republic. A few weeks after the beginning of the heroic defense of your town, a part of the enemy forces disgracefully took to flight, and most of them were trapped in the Ilovaisk encirclement. This defeat significantly weakened the enemy’s morale. The irreplaceable losses of the Ukrainian army in manpower and equipment at that time were one of the turning points that determined the future of the whole Donetsk land,” the Head of State stressed.
Denis Pushilin singled out personal contribution of the townspeople in the fight against the Kiev regime and wished them further well-being and prosperity.
“Dear citizens, Ilovaysk is the town of a truly heroic fate! You have withstood shelling, street battles, evacuation, assault and blockade. Each of you has contributed to the victory. Six years have passed, our struggle continues, but I am sure that our victorious peace will come soon.
Today, we must direct all our efforts towards the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure of the town and live looking to the future. We will certainly restore it to the status of a major railroad center. I wish wellbeing and prosperity to all the residents of Ilovaysk,” Denis Pushilin said.
Those present observed a moment of silence in the memory of the fallen militiamen and civilians. The event ended with floral offerings at the Eternal Flame of the memorial.