The Verkhovna Rada is proposing to establish a Day to Honor the Defenders of Luhansk Airport

A draft resolution to establish a new commemorative day—the Day of Honoring the Defenders of Luhansk Airport—has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. It is proposed that this date be observed annually on August 31, symbolizing the end of the 146-day heroic defensive operation in 2014. Implementing this initiative will not require additional funding from the state or local budgets.

The defense of the airport lasted from April 8 to August 31, 2014, and is recognized as one of the longest and most significant military operations of the second phase of Russia’s armed aggression. More than 10 units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations took part in the fierce battles. For a long time, Ukrainian defenders were surrounded, and their supplies of ammunition and food were delivered primarily by air. At least 196 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during the defense of the airport and related operations.

The authors of the bill consider August 31 a key symbolic date for officially honoring, at the state level, the courage, resilience, and self-sacrifice of Ukrainian servicemen. The draft resolution was registered in parliament on July 15.

Source: draft bill.

A suspect in the case of the downing of an Il-76 at Luhansk Airport has become an advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.