Ilovaisk Explained

Ilovaisk (pronounced as /uk/;) is a city in Donetsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine; residence of Ilovaisk urban hromada. The city is de facto under the military occupation of Russia and administered by the Donetsk People's Republic.

The city is known as a major regional railroad hub. It was also the site of a battle in the War in Donbas. The city has a population of, 17,620 (2001).

Battle of Ilovaisk

See main article: Battle of Ilovaisk.

Starting in mid-April 2014, Russian paramilitaries captured several towns in Donetsk Oblast,^{[1] [2]} including Ilovaisk.^[3] On 19 August 2014, Ukrainian forces reportedly secured the city centre from the Russia-backed militants; fighting for control of other parts of the town continued.^[3] The next morning they claimed they had control over one half of the town, with the town divided by a railroad line.^{[4] [5]} On 21 August, the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that heavy fighting continued "in some districts of Ilovaisk", while the Russia-backed forces claimed they had repelled the Ukrainian military and surrounded a contingent of Ukrainian troops.^{[6] [7]} Fighting for control of the town continued over the next days.^{[8] [9]} The Russian Armed Forces retook the city as of 1 September 2014.^[10]

Demographics

Ethnic composition according to the 2001 Ukrainian census.^[11]

Native language as of the Ukrainian Census of 2001:^[12]

Notable people

• Stanislav Hurenko (1936-2013), Ukrainian politician
• Mikhail Tolstykh (1980-2017), Ukrainian separatist and wanted war criminal

Notes and References

1. Vladimir Putin Is Accidentally Bringing Eastern and Western Ukraine Together. The New Republic. 16 April 2014. Ragozin. Leonid.
2. Web site: Donbass defenders put WWII tank back into service.
3. Web site: Ukrainian flag raised over Ilovaisk - Donbas battalion.
4. Web site: Combat conducted in Ilovaisk urban areas, Ukrainian army loses nine men killed.
5. Web site: Ukrainian army retakes over half of Ilovaisk, fighting continues – National Guard.
6. Web site: Ukrainian Interior Ministry, National Guard lose 16 servicemen in Ilovaisk battle.
7. Web site: Ukrainian military in Ilovaisk receive reinforcement .
8. Web site: Ukrinform News. www.ukrinform.ua.
9. Web site: Ukrinform News. www.ukrinform.ua.
10. News: Ukraine Suffers Harsh Defeat in Eastern Town. James. Marson. Alan. Cullison. Wall Street Journal. 2 September 2014. www.wsj.com.
11. Web site: Національний склад міст .
12. Web site: Офіційна сторінка Всеукраїнського перепису населення. www.ukrcensus.gov.ua.