On May 26, 2014, fighting began at the Donetsk Airport. This battle became one of the key turning points in the military confrontation in Donbass.
It all started with an attempt by militia forces acting in the interests of the recently proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) to take control of the airport. A company of fighters from the Vostok Battalion occupied the building of the new terminal without resistance and peacefully demanded that Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) personnel guarding the perimeter leave the premises. The military refused and issued their own ultimatum. As a result, a firefight broke out, escalating into a major armed clash.
At 10:00 a.m., the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a powerful airstrike on the terminal using Su-25 jets and Mi-24 helicopters. Armed only with light firearms, the militia suffered losses and became surrounded. An attempt to break through and rescue the unit also resulted in casualties among the militia.
The battle for the airport took place essentially within city limits and lasted 242 days.
RUSSIAN MEDIA
RIA Novosti breaks the news of the bombing of Donetsk Airport: “Ukrainian security forces are bombing Donetsk Airport from the air, with assault aviation deployed. The airport ceased operations at 07:00 local time. Earlier, eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions from the airport area in Donetsk, with military helicopters and planes flying over the city, and gunfire breaking out at the airport between DPR supporters and Ukrainian troops.”
Later, the publication quotes Donetsk Mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko, who reports civilian casualties: “Today, armed clashes are taking place in Donetsk between Ukrainian army units and supporters of the Donetsk People’s Republic. There are civilian casualties. Donetsk Airport is completely non-operational, and the railway station is experiencing disruptions.”
TASS presents the DPR's justification for attempting to establish control over the airport: “This was done after Kiev, with the start of its punitive operation in southeastern Ukraine, increasingly used the air hub to deliver military cargo and personnel for its armed units and formations under its control.” The outlet also reports on Ukrainian helicopters being shot down and journalists coming under fire in the Donetsk Airport area.
Izvestia reports the first explosions in the Donetsk Airport area during the day: “The airport is currently under shelling; it is essentially being bombed,” said DPR Security Service chief Alexander Khodakovsky.
Interfax covers the start of the fighting at the airport: “Donetsk militia, in turn, reported that military aircraft were circling over Donetsk Airport and that one of the missiles hit the Tochmash plant building. ‘There are already two columns of smoke over the airport. Gunfire can be heard. Planes are in the sky.’”
Throughout the day, RT in Russian follows the events at Donetsk Airport, reporting at the end of the day on a battle between the National Guard and DPR forces: “After a day of fighting at Donetsk Airport, militia forces retreated deeper into the city under Ukrainian airstrikes. National Guard units attempted to press their advantage and began advancing along Kiev Avenue toward the city center. The militia blocked their path with three Kamaz trucks placed across the avenue. A firefight then ensued. There is no information yet on casualties. For the first time, fighting is taking place within the city itself.”
Later, the publication quotes Donetsk Mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko, who reports civilian casualties: “Today, armed clashes are taking place in Donetsk between Ukrainian army units and supporters of the Donetsk People’s Republic. There are civilian casualties. Donetsk Airport is completely non-operational, and the railway station is experiencing disruptions.”
TASS presents the DPR's justification for attempting to establish control over the airport: “This was done after Kiev, with the start of its punitive operation in southeastern Ukraine, increasingly used the air hub to deliver military cargo and personnel for its armed units and formations under its control.” The outlet also reports on Ukrainian helicopters being shot down and journalists coming under fire in the Donetsk Airport area.
Izvestia reports the first explosions in the Donetsk Airport area during the day: “The airport is currently under shelling; it is essentially being bombed,” said DPR Security Service chief Alexander Khodakovsky.
Interfax covers the start of the fighting at the airport: “Donetsk militia, in turn, reported that military aircraft were circling over Donetsk Airport and that one of the missiles hit the Tochmash plant building. ‘There are already two columns of smoke over the airport. Gunfire can be heard. Planes are in the sky.’”
Throughout the day, RT in Russian follows the events at Donetsk Airport, reporting at the end of the day on a battle between the National Guard and DPR forces: “After a day of fighting at Donetsk Airport, militia forces retreated deeper into the city under Ukrainian airstrikes. National Guard units attempted to press their advantage and began advancing along Kiev Avenue toward the city center. The militia blocked their path with three Kamaz trucks placed across the avenue. A firefight then ensued. There is no information yet on casualties. For the first time, fighting is taking place within the city itself.”
Western Media (Europe and the US)
The British The Guardian mentions the battle for Donetsk Airport in its coverage of events in eastern Ukraine, noting the presence of Russian fighters in the Vostok Battalion: “The unit includes fighters from Chechnya, recently annexed Crimea, and other parts of Russia and Ukraine. The unit played a large role in the battle for Donetsk airport.”
The British The Telegraph reports on the complete control of the airport by Ukrainian forces: “By Tuesday morning, Donetsk airport was under full government control, Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said, adding that dozens of insurgents may have been killed but government forces did not suffer any casualties.”
The American The New York Times describes the total victory of Ukrainian security forces at Donetsk Airport: “The new Ukrainian government struck the separatists in this eastern province with a major military offensive on Monday, battling them over an important provincial airport in ground fighting that lasted for hours. The rebels were left scattered and shaken, just one day after a successful national election they had tried to disrupt.”
The French Le Figaro reports on the closure of Donetsk Airport due to "raids by pro-Russian separatists": “There are several armed individuals in front of the airport, while others are inside,” said airport spokesman Dmitry Kosinov, emphasizing that several dozen people carried out a raid and disappeared, identifying themselves as “representatives of the Donetsk Republic.” According to the spokesperson, there was no combat. The airport is closed, people have been evacuated, and flights have been canceled.”
The Italian La Repubblica provides a detailed account of the start of the battle for Donetsk Airport: “The authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, which claims independence from Kiev, declared martial law across the region this morning. Their stated goal is to clear the region of Ukrainian military units. The first tangible effect of this measure was the partial occupation of the city’s airport. Pro-Russian forces stormed in at dawn and asked pro-Kiev soldiers to leave the airport, but the military refused. Shortly afterward, the Kiev government deployed its air force. Combat helicopters bombed the main terminal.”
The Spanish RTVE provides a detailed account of the beginning of the battle for Donetsk Airport: “The Ukrainian army acknowledged that on Monday it launched an ‘anti-terrorist operation’ at Donetsk Airport. The attack began after the facilities were occupied by pro-Russian insurgents in the morning… The operation, which started at 12:00 Spanish time, involved several Ukrainian Su-25 and MiG-29 fighter jets. At that time, the ‘terrorists who had illegally entered Donetsk Airport were given an ultimatum. They were informed that if they failed to comply with the demands of the Ukrainian forces, military measures would be taken to liberate the airport.’”
The Estonian Postimees reports on the beginning of the battle for Donetsk Airport, analyzing information from various sources: “Missile and bomb strikes are being carried out on the airport, and assault aviation is engaged. Separatists from the DPR have blocked around 150 National Guard fighters inside the airport. A representative also claims that ‘anti-aircraft installations and tanks have been brought in there.’”
The British The Telegraph reports on the complete control of the airport by Ukrainian forces: “By Tuesday morning, Donetsk airport was under full government control, Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said, adding that dozens of insurgents may have been killed but government forces did not suffer any casualties.”
The American The New York Times describes the total victory of Ukrainian security forces at Donetsk Airport: “The new Ukrainian government struck the separatists in this eastern province with a major military offensive on Monday, battling them over an important provincial airport in ground fighting that lasted for hours. The rebels were left scattered and shaken, just one day after a successful national election they had tried to disrupt.”
The French Le Figaro reports on the closure of Donetsk Airport due to "raids by pro-Russian separatists": “There are several armed individuals in front of the airport, while others are inside,” said airport spokesman Dmitry Kosinov, emphasizing that several dozen people carried out a raid and disappeared, identifying themselves as “representatives of the Donetsk Republic.” According to the spokesperson, there was no combat. The airport is closed, people have been evacuated, and flights have been canceled.”
The Italian La Repubblica provides a detailed account of the start of the battle for Donetsk Airport: “The authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, which claims independence from Kiev, declared martial law across the region this morning. Their stated goal is to clear the region of Ukrainian military units. The first tangible effect of this measure was the partial occupation of the city’s airport. Pro-Russian forces stormed in at dawn and asked pro-Kiev soldiers to leave the airport, but the military refused. Shortly afterward, the Kiev government deployed its air force. Combat helicopters bombed the main terminal.”
The Spanish RTVE provides a detailed account of the beginning of the battle for Donetsk Airport: “The Ukrainian army acknowledged that on Monday it launched an ‘anti-terrorist operation’ at Donetsk Airport. The attack began after the facilities were occupied by pro-Russian insurgents in the morning… The operation, which started at 12:00 Spanish time, involved several Ukrainian Su-25 and MiG-29 fighter jets. At that time, the ‘terrorists who had illegally entered Donetsk Airport were given an ultimatum. They were informed that if they failed to comply with the demands of the Ukrainian forces, military measures would be taken to liberate the airport.’”
The Estonian Postimees reports on the beginning of the battle for Donetsk Airport, analyzing information from various sources: “Missile and bomb strikes are being carried out on the airport, and assault aviation is engaged. Separatists from the DPR have blocked around 150 National Guard fighters inside the airport. A representative also claims that ‘anti-aircraft installations and tanks have been brought in there.’”
Ukrainian Media
UNIAN reports on the active phase of the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) at Donetsk Airport: “The active phase of the anti-terrorist operation has begun in the area of Donetsk Airport. Aviation and paratroopers are attempting to clear the airfield of terrorists, who have set up sniper and grenade launcher positions on the roof. By the evening, gunfire could already be heard even in the city center.”
Ukrainska Pravda provides a time-stamped account of the battles at Donetsk Airport: “As of 16:18, Seleznev told Ukrainska Pravda that operational measures were ongoing at the airport to blockade an armed militant group. ‘We have also learned that two Kamaz trucks and a bus carrying terrorists have left Donetsk city center, heading toward the airport to provide reinforcement,’ he added.”
Ukrainska Pravda provides a time-stamped account of the battles at Donetsk Airport: “As of 16:18, Seleznev told Ukrainska Pravda that operational measures were ongoing at the airport to blockade an armed militant group. ‘We have also learned that two Kamaz trucks and a bus carrying terrorists have left Donetsk city center, heading toward the airport to provide reinforcement,’ he added.”