- August 29, 2024
- 2:55 pm
- Ukraine
August 29 – Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine. This is not the only day of the year when Ukraine remembers, honors, and tells about those who gave their lives to defend Ukraine, its statehood, independence, and unity. But this is a special day, an opportunity for everyone in society to focus together on memory, respect, and gratitude.
The state introduced this Day of Remembrance in 2019. Specifically, on August 29, because this date is associated with one of the most tragic episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war leading to a full-scale invasion – the exit of Ukrainian soldiers from the encirclement near Ilovaisk in 2014.
Then the Russian leadership – as is traditional for them – violated the agreements: Ukrainian soldiers were shot when they were passing in columns through what was supposed to be a “green corridor”.
Their path ran through sunflower fields. That is why the sunflower became the traditional symbol of the memorial day on August 29.
According to the Book of Remembrance of those who died for Ukraine, from 2014 to December 1, 2021 (to full-scale invasion) 4490 Ukrainian soldiers died.
On the 10th anniversary of the battles for Ilovaisk in Donetsk Oblast, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky stated that this day will always remind Ukraine of Russia’s treachery and perfidy, while Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kirill Budanov noted that the tragedy of Ilovaisk should serve as a reminder: compromise with Putin is impossible.
“Ilovaisk is not only a tragic event in the history of Ukraine, but also a reminder of the heroism of the Ukrainian military, who, despite losses and deception, did not give up, but continued to break out of the trap and fight. This day will always remind us of the treachery and perfidy of the Russian aggressor, that any negotiations with terrorists and murderers are a mortally dangerous business, and they cannot be trusted,” wrote Alexander Syrsky.
“Today marks ten years since Ukraine was shocked by the terrible news of the treacherous shooting of Ukrainian soldiers whose path ran through a sunflower field. That is why the sunflower became the traditional symbol of the memorial day. Russian troops violated the agreements and opened fire to destroy, shooting at Ukrainian columns on the march. Hundreds of soldiers and volunteers died, dozens went missing. At the time, these events became a huge lesson – Putin cannot be trusted at all, any compromise with him is a trap,” reminded Budanov.
On August 18–19, 2014, Ukrainian troops took control of most of the city of Ilovaisk and were close to splitting pro-Russian militants in the Donbas into two enclaves. To save the situation, Russia sent units staffed by Russian military personnel to the area. The Ukrainian fighters found themselves surrounded.
On the night of August 29, the occupiers offered them to leave the cauldron through the so-called “green corridors.” After the Ukrainians began to leave Ilovaisk, the Russians, despite their promises, opened fire on them. Hundreds of soldiers were killed, and some are still listed as missing. This was the largest simultaneous loss for Ukraine during the ATO/JFO.
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