Today on the  Remembrance Day of the Defenders of Ukraine fallen in the struggle for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine we honour all soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. 

On August 29, 2014 after almost a month of fighting, both parties agreed on a humanitarian corridor that should guarantee a peaceful exit for Ukrainian forces from the city. The Russian military insidiously attacked columns of defenders of Ukraine, therefore violating the agreement. The losses for the Ukrainian army on this day were one of the largest during the entire Russian-Ukrainian conflict - 366 people were killed, about 450 were severely wounded, 300 were taken captive, 84 are still missing.

The sunflower has become a symbol of the memory of the fallen heroes -  tragic events during the battle for Illovaisk in August 2014.