Holiday on July 22, 2026: Day of the Liberation of Sieverskodonetsk from Russian Militants

Every year on July 22, Ukraine commemorates the liberation of Sievierodonetsk from pro-Russian militants. The event took place in 2014 during the Anti-Terrorist Operation in eastern Ukraine and marked one of the first major victories for Ukrainian defense forces.

For the city’s residents, this date has come to symbolize the return of Ukrainian authority after several months of occupation. It was on July 22 that the Ukrainian military, volunteer battalions, units of the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs completed the operation to liberate the city. In 2024, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed a resolution to rename the city of Severodonetsk to Siverskodonetsk. This name is now the official one and is used in government documents.

How the City Came Under Occupation

In the spring of 2014, following the start of Russian aggression in the Donbas, the situation in Luhansk Oblast rapidly deteriorated. Armed pro-Russian groups began seizing administrative buildings, police stations, and government offices. Siverskodonetsk also fell under the control of militants. An illegal administration was established in the city, government institutions were blocked, and the symbols of the so-called “LPR” appeared on buildings in place of Ukrainian flags.

During this period, the lives of the city’s residents changed significantly. Some businesses ceased operations, many people left their homes due to the danger, and uncertainty reigned in the city itself. Ukraine launched an Anti-Terrorist Operation to regain control of the seized territories. The Luhansk region became one of the key areas of focus.

How the Liberation Unfolded

The operation to liberate Sievierodonetsk took place on July 22, 2014. The Ukrainian military carried it out jointly with units of the National Guard, volunteer battalions, and law enforcement officers. After Ukrainian forces entered the city, the militants withdrew. The Ukrainian national flag was raised once again over government buildings, and local authorities gradually resumed their work.

The liberation of Sievierodonetsk was a key part of a large-scale operation by Ukrainian forces in the Luhansk region. Shortly before that, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, and a number of other cities in the Donetsk region had been liberated. It was precisely after these successful operations that Ukrainian troops were able to significantly weaken the positions of pro-Russian illegal armed groups in the east of the country.

What Changed After the Liberation

After the city returned to Ukrainian control, Sievierodonetsk began to gradually recover. Government agencies, schools, hospitals, and businesses resumed operations. The Ukrainian police returned to the city, and local government bodies began functioning. After Ukraine lost control of Luhansk, Sievierodonetsk became the administrative center of the Luhansk Oblast, which remained under Ukrainian control. The regional military-civilian administration and other government bodies were based there.

Over the next few years, the city developed rapidly. New educational institutions opened, roads were repaired, cultural institutions operated, and patriotic events were held. Unfortunately, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Sieverskodonetsk once again became the scene of fierce fighting. After a prolonged defense, Ukrainian troops were forced to withdraw from the city.

How Liberation Day Is Observed

Although it is not an official national holiday, the date holds great symbolic significance for many residents of the Luhansk region and all of Ukraine. On this day, people honor the Ukrainian military, volunteers, National Guard members, police officers, and everyone who participated in the city’s liberation. Flowers are laid at memorials and monuments, and gatherings of veterans and themed events are held.

Museums, libraries, and educational institutions host exhibitions, remembrance lessons, and meetings with combat veterans. On social media, people share photos of the liberated city, archival footage, and memories of that day. For many displaced persons from the Luhansk region, this date remains particularly emotional. It serves as a reminder not only of the 2014 victory but also of the hope of returning to their hometown one day.

Interesting Facts

After its liberation, Sieverskodonetsk became the temporary administrative center of Luhansk Oblast, as Luhansk remained under occupation. During the liberation of the city, Ukrainian forces regained control of most key infrastructure facilities with virtually no major damage.

In 2024, the city officially received its historically correct Ukrainian name—Siverskodonetsk. This decision was part of the state policy to derussify place names. After the outbreak of full-scale war, the defense of Siverskodonetsk in 2022 became a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian defenders. The battles for the city lasted several months and were among the fiercest in the Luhansk region.

Why This Date Remains Important

The day of Sieverskodonetsk’s liberation serves as a reminder that the struggle for Ukrainian cities began as early as 2014. It is a date that symbolizes the courage of the military, volunteers, and all those who defended the country against Russian aggression.

Today, as the city remains temporarily under Russian occupation, July 22 takes on even deeper significance. For many Ukrainians, this anniversary is not only a remembrance of a successful operation from eleven years ago, but also a reminder that the fight for Sievierodonetsk continues, and its return to the Ukrainian flag remains one of Ukraine’s primary goals.