In Photos: 10 Years Ago, Russia-Backed Rebels Captured Donetsk Airport
Wednesday marks 10 years since Russian-backed separatists claimed control of Donetsk airport terminal in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region — which Moscow annexed in 2022 following widely disputed referendums.
At the time, Donetsk International Airport, located 10 kilometers northwest of the city of Donetsk, had been at the center of intense battles between Kyiv’s forces and the separatists for more than eight months.
Here’s a look back at the events that were among the precursors to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine:
At the time, Donetsk International Airport, located 10 kilometers northwest of the city of Donetsk, had been at the center of intense battles between Kyiv’s forces and the separatists for more than eight months.
Here’s a look back at the events that were among the precursors to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine:
A view of a plane wreckage at Donetsk airport where battles between the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) army and Ukraine's National Guard were fought.
Alexander Khudoteply / TASS
A pro-Russian separatist fighter stands guard at a checkpoint on Sept.10, 2014, on a road of the Donetsk airport.
Philippe Desmazes / AFP
A Ukrainian artilleryman carries a shell past spent shell cases at their position near the eastern Ukrainian village Pisky, Donetsk region to be fired at the position of pro-Russian separatists at Donetsk airport on Dec. 8, 2014.
Anatolii Stepanov / AFP
An armed pro-Russian militant takes position in the international airport of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 26, 2014. The main airport in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk was rocked by an explosion and heavy shooting after armed rebels seized the facility.
Alexander Khudoteply / AFP
DNR soldiers inspect Donetsk's airport and surrounding grounds where battles between the DNR army and Ukraine's National Guard were fought.
Mikhail Sokolov / TASS
The aftermath of the Jan. 22, 2015, battle near DAP, Zenith strong point. Burned-down vehicles and guns of pro-Russian forces.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry
The destroyed Donetsk airport.
Valery Sharifulin / TASS
A view of the destroyed Donetsk airport near the Iversky Monastery cemetery.
Mikhail Sokolov / TASS
Exhibition of the photo project Unbreakable Cyborgs (the defenders of Donetsk airport) in Lviv, Ukraine.
The Cyborgs are a term used to refer to Ukrainian servicemen who participated in the defense of Donetsk airport for 242 days from May 26, 2014, until Jan. 22, 2015, during the war with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The Cyborgs are a term used to refer to Ukrainian servicemen who participated in the defense of Donetsk airport for 242 days from May 26, 2014, until Jan. 22, 2015, during the war with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
loda.gov.ua
A mother of one of the so-called Cyborgs, Ukrainian servicemen who died during the defense of Donetsk airport, touches his picture on a Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in the center of Kyiv.
Sergei Supinsky / AFP
