These days 3 years have passed since the beginning of operation of Ukrainian military to liberate Ilovaisk in Donetsk region from the pro-Russian militants. However, after a few weeks of fighting the military operation ended in tragic defeat - notorious "Ilovaisk boiler" and hundreds of Ukrainian defenders who were killed there.
Battle for Ilovaysk had strategic importance - the transition of the city under the control of the Armed Forces would have allowed to block the terrorists in Donetsk and to quickly complete anti-terror operation. At that time the Ukrainian military who fought there had only small arms and two anti-tank guns at the disposal, so they had to retreat. Only at the second attempt nearly a week later they managed to take control of most of the city. But already on the night of 24 August Ukrainian military faced a strong attack, but when they tried to circumvent the enemy, they were surrounded.
According to military expert Colonel Oleg Zhdanov, one of the reasons for the failure of the operation was its bad preparation.
According to the military prosecutor's office, 366 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, 249 - wounded, 128 - taken capptives and 158 - missing. At the same time, according to the parliamentary Interim Commission of Inquiry to investigate the tragedy, the loss of Ukrainian troops reached one thousand people. "
