You're reading: After Donetsk Airport turned to rubble, Ukrainian forces suffer decisive defeat

Kremlin-backed insurgents have taken over the new terminal of Donetsk Airport, which has been held by Ukrainian troops for nine months and became a symbol of resistance to the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian defenders of the airport, known as “cyborgs” due to their ability to fight in the most severe conditions, withdrew from the terminal and currently control only the measurement tower, runway and fire department (see map), Ukrainian authorities said on Jan. 22.

The airport’s old terminal has been controlled by insurgents since last week.

Its control tower with a Ukrainian flag on top had become a popular image of patriotic pride but it was ruined by shelling on Jan. 13.

“Motorola’s Cemetery,” to the southwest of the old and new terminals, has been named by cyborgs after Motorola, commander of the “Sparta” insurgent unit. Separatists have been shelling the airport from the cemetery’s territory.

To the west of the airport is the village of Pisky, a major Ukrainian stronghold used to send troops and supplies to the airport area.

Kyiv Post staff writer Oleg Sukhov can be reached at [email protected].