Ukraine will not let the Russians' planned crime near Ilovaisk go unpunished

According to Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky said this on Facebook.

According to him, Ukraine today honors the memory of all its defenders, “all those who fought and gave their lives for our country, for Ukrainian independence.”

In August 2014, just these days, Russian invaders committed one of the most heinous crimes of this war – they killed hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers near Ilovaisk, the President noted.

“It was a planned, cynical Russian crime that Ukraine will never forget and will not leave unpunished,” Zelenskyy assured.

He stressed: “We will always remember every single person who lost their life in this war. And we will not forgive Russia for a single destroyed Ukrainian life.”

“Eternal memory to all our heroes! And thanks to all who do not forget, who honor and help the families of our fallen soldiers,” stressed the head of state.

As Ukrinform previously reported, August 29 is the day of remembrance for the defenders of Ukraine who fell in the struggle for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This day was established by Presidential Decree No. 621 of August 23, 2019 to honor the bravery of soldiers and volunteers who gave their lives for the Fatherland.

It is no coincidence that August 29 was chosen as the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine, because on this day in 2014, during the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Ilovaisk operation, a massive breakthrough of the Ukrainian group of troops from the Russian encirclement took place.

In August 2014, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fought against regular units of the Russian army near Ilovaisk in the Donetsk region. It lasted almost a month, from August 6 to August 29. Due to the imbalance of forces, the Ukrainian military was encircled. Russia promised them a “green corridor” to get out, but the promise was not kept and the ATO forces were shelled. According to official data from the Prosecutor General's Office, 366 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, 429 others were wounded and 84 were reported missing. About 300 soldiers were captured.

Photo: OP