Battle of Kramatorsk

{{Main|Donetsk People's Republic|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|War in Donbass}}

{{stack|File:DPR Kramatorsk checkpoint, April 2014.png}}

The standoff began on 12 April, when a group of separatists from the Donbass People's Militia attempted to capture a police station. A shootout with police followed, eventually leading to the capture of the building by the separatists.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022218/|script-title=uk:На Донбасі сепаратисти і міліція влаштували перестрілку|trans-title=In Kramatorsk separatists and police gunfight|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=12 April 2014|access-date=3 May 2014|language=uk}}{{cite news|work=Reuters |date=13 April 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA3A1B520140413 |title=Ukraine gives rebels deadline to disarm or face military operation |author2=Grove, Thomas |author1=Humphries, Connor |url-status=live |archive-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413130155/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/13/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA3A1B520140413 |df=dmy }} After capturing the building, they tore the Ukrainian coat of arms off the building, and raised the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022227/|script-title=uk:Приїжджі загарбники в Краматорську назвалися "народним ополченням" (Visiting invaders Kramatorske called themselves "people's militia"|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=12 April 2014|access-date=4 May 2014|language=uk}} The insurgents then issued an ultimatum stating that if the city's mayor and his subordinates did not swear allegiance to the People's Republic by Monday, they would "takeover the city council". A crowd of separatists later rallied around the city council building, entered it, and raised the flag of the People's Republic over it.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/907139-v-kramatorske-separatistyi-ustanovili-flag-donetskoy-respubliki.html |title=In Kramatorsk separatists set flag 'Donetsk republic' |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=12 April 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |language=ru |url-status=live |archive-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413132335/http://www.unian.net/politics/907139-v-kramatorske-separatistyi-ustanovili-flag-donetskoy-respubliki.html |df=dmy }} A representative of the Donetsk People's Republic addressed locals outside the captured police station, but was received negatively by the crowd. On the outskirts of the city, some insurgents set up a checkpoint near a local military airfield.{{cite news|url=http://censor.net.ua/news/280815/prorossiyiskie_boeviki_ustanovili_blokpost_okolo_voennogo_aerodroma_v_kramatorske_smi|script-title= ru:Пророссийские боевики установили блок-пост около военного аэродрома в Краматорске,- СМИ|trans-title=Pro-Russian fighters established a checkpoint near a military airfield in Kramatorsk – media|publisher=Censor.net|date=13 May 2014|access-date=3 May 2014|language=ru}}

{{stack|File:SBU agents in Kramatorsk, April 2014.png agents of the Security Service of Ukraine blocking off an area in Kramatorsk on 25 April 2014]]}}

By 15 April, however, the Ukrainian transitional government had launched a counter-offensive against insurgents in Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainian Ground Forces attacked the insurgent checkpoint at the airfield and then regained control over the airfield itself. It was estimated that between four and eleven insurgents were killed in the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/turchynov-anti-terrorist-operation-has-begun-in-northern-donetsk-343563.html |title=Ukrainian troops in control of Donetsk Oblast's Kramatorsk airfield, Ukrainian deputy prime minister says several hundred Russian troops in Ukraine |work=Kyiv Post |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503234455/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/turchynov-anti-terrorist-operation-has-begun-in-northern-donetsk-343563.html |df=dmy }} Insurgents made another attempt to capture the airfield on 16 April, but Ukrainian special forces that had been guarding the airfield since its original recapturing quickly drove them away, and took several prisoners. The Ukrainian troops reportedly saw hundreds of civilians and armed men gathered outside the military cordon around the airfield.{{cite news|date=12 April 2014|access-date=3 May 2014|url= http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/16/7022662/|script-title=uk:Військові розповіли про подробиці зачистки краматорського аеродрому|trans-title=Ukrainian special force representative gives details on the operation in the airport close to Kramatorsk|work=Ukrainska Pravda|language=uk}} Amidst the Ukrainian counter-offensive on 16 April, six Ukrainian armoured vehicles that had been travelling through Kramatorsk were captured by the insurgents. These captured vehicles were then sent to reinforce Donbass People's Militia positions in Sloviansk, which were under heavy siege by government forces.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27053500 |title=Military column 'seized' in Kramatorsk |work=BBC News |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428153559/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27053500 |df=dmy }} The insurgents later offered to exchange hostages, including the local police chief, for weapons.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/22/7023289/|script-title=uk:Краматорські бойовики хочуть обміняти заручника-міліціонера на зброю|trans-title=Kramatorsk militants want to exchange the hostage-policeman for weapons|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=22 April 2014|access-date=3 May 2014|language=uk}}

File:Ukrainian roadblock between Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, May 11, 2014 (2).jpg between Kramatorsk and Sloviansk on 11 May 2014]]

Government forces focused primarily on Sloviansk for the next few days. However, on 25 April, a military helicopter at the Kramatorsk airfield exploded after its fuel tank was shot while it was taking off. Insurgents claimed responsibility for the shooting, and said that they had hit the helicopter with a rocket propelled grenade in an interview with Russian media.{{cite news|agency=Russian News & Information Agency |url=http://ria.ru/world/20140425/1005440872.html |script-title=ru:Ополченцы Краматорска уверяют, что они обстреляли вертолет из РПГ |trans-title=Militias in Kramatorsk claim that they fired at a helicopter with an RPG |date=25 April 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |language=ru |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815061458/http://ria.ru/world/20140425/1005440872.html |archive-date=15 August 2014 |df=dmy }} Dmitry Tymchuk, a defence expert and director of the Centre of Military and Political Research in Kyiv, told reporters that the Mi-8 helicopter pilot had managed to escape with minor injuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-officials-say-second-stage-of-anti-terrorist-operation-in-east-underway-345122.html |title=Ukraine officials say second stage of anti-terrorist operation under way in east as helicopter shot down (UPDATES, VIDEO) |work=Kyiv Post |date=25 April 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |author=Christopher J. Miller |url-status=live |archive-date=3 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503072219/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-officials-say-second-stage-of-anti-terrorist-operation-in-east-underway-345122.html |df=dmy }}{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/25/7023592/|script-title=uk:В Краматорську На Аеродромі Підірвано Вертоліт|trans-title=In Kramatorsk at airfield, exploded helicopter)|work=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=25 April 2014|access-date=3 May 2014|language=uk}} A transport aeroplane was also reportedly destroyed.

After having recaptured many formerly occupied buildings in Sloviansk during a renewed offensive there, Ukrainian forces successfully captured a television transmission tower in Kramatorsk on 2 May.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-dead-odessa-building-fire |title=Dozens dead after Odessa building fire |work=The Guardian |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503014148/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-dead-odessa-building-fire |df=dmy }} Further clashes between the Ukrainian army and insurgent fighters overnight on 2–3 May led to the death of ten pro-Russian activists, and left thirty injured, according to a local pro-Russian self-defence leader.{{cite news|url=http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/25220/53/|title=Army kills 10 civilians in Kramatorsk|agency=Macedonian International News Agency|date=3 May 2014|access-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503114822/http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/25220/53/|archive-date=3 May 2014|url-status=dead}} During the fighting, the Ukrainian army was able to remove the insurgents from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) building that they had been occupying.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/04/ukraine-kramatorsk-army-donetsk-rebels-kiev |title=Tension mounts in Kramatorsk after army rolls in |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2014 |access-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505053649/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/04/ukraine-kramatorsk-army-donetsk-rebels-kiev |df=dmy }} Street battles broke out, and Russian media reported that the city was mostly under the control of Ukrainian forces, with only the city square remaining under pro-Russian control.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} However, it was reported the next day that the building had been abandoned by government forces, rather than fortified, and that the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic still flew from it even after the insurgents had been evicted.

This eviction did not last long, as the Ukrainian army abruptly withdrew back to their positions at the military airfield on 4 May.{{cite news|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/322695--pro-russians-regain-control-of-buildings-in-kramatorsk |title=Pro-Russians regain control of buildings in Kramatorsk |agency=Anadolu Agency |date=4 May 2014 |access-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505110019/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/322695--pro-russians-regain-control-of-buildings-in-kramatorsk |df=dmy }} Insurgents then reclaimed the SBU building and police station that had been abandoned by Ukrainian forces.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914397-ukrainskie-voyska-vyishli-iz-kramatorska-smi.html |title=Ukrainian troops withdrew from Kramatorsk |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505020512/http://www.unian.net/politics/914397-ukrainskie-voyska-vyishli-iz-kramatorska-smi.html |df=dmy }} During the day, clashes erupted between insurgents and an army column on a road near Kramatorsk, which left one civilian dead.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/ukraine-clashes-claim-life-young-nurse-n97356|title=Ukraine Clashes Claim Life of Young Nurse|work=NBC News|date=5 May 2014|agency=Reuters|access-date=7 May 2014}}

A Ukrainian army unit was ambushed near Kramatorsk by about thirty DPR soldiers on 13 May. The ambush was initiated when DPR forces fired a rocket-propelled grenade at an armoured personnel carrier that had been carrying paratroopers, causing the vehicle to explode. Many soldiers were injured in the ensuing skirmish, and seven soldiers were killed, along with one separatist.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27396448 |title='Eight killed' in ambush in east |work=BBC News |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=14 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514074803/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27396448 |df=dmy }} A government mortar carrier was also destroyed in the fighting.{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2014/05/15/Separatists-kill-seven-Ukraine-soldiers-in-heaviest-loss-for-Kiev-forces/ |title=Ukraine holds talks to end crisis, rebels not invited |date=27 June 2014 |access-date=15 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030224051/http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2014/05/15/Separatists-kill-seven-Ukraine-soldiers-in-heaviest-loss-for-Kiev-forces/ |url-status=live |archive-date=30 October 2014 |df=dmy }}

As part of the continuing military operation around Kramatorsk, the army destroyed a separatist hide-out in a forest near the city, and captured three DPR soldiers, on 15 May.{{cite news|work=Daily Sabah |url=http://www.dailysabah.com/europe/2014/05/16/fresh-fighting-breaks-out-in-eastern-ukraine |title=Fresh fighting breaks out in Eastern Ukraine |access-date=16 May 2014 |date=16 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517151934/http://www.dailysabah.com/europe/2014/05/16/fresh-fighting-breaks-out-in-eastern-ukraine |df=dmy }}

File:UAF Mi-24s in Semenivka.png Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters in the DPR-controlled suburb of Semenivka on 3 June 2014 during an offensive]]

Fighting continued on 2 June, on the outskirts of Kramatorsk, leaving three people dead.{{cite news|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/734431 |title=East-Ukrainian freedom fighters advance toward Kramatorsk airdrome amid fierce fighting |agency=TASS |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603061304/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/734431 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 June 2014 |df=dmy }} A more significant incident took place on 14 June, when the Ukrainian government launched an airstrike on insurgent positions in Kramatorsk. They said that they killed at least fifty insurgents.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

Pro-Russian militants attacked an army checkpoint near Kramatorsk on 27 June, and captured it. However, soon after government forces conducted a counter-attack and managed to recapture the checkpoint. The fighting left four soldiers dead and five wounded.{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/06/ukraine-extends-ceasefire-72-hours-201462721352845478.html |title=Four killed as Ukraine repels rebels in east |agency=Al Jazeera |date=28 June 2014 |access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629062500/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/06/ukraine-extends-ceasefire-72-hours-201462721352845478.html |url-status=live |archive-date=29 June 2014 |df=dmy }} During their assault, the insurgents used eight tanks, and mortars. Four government armoured personnel carriers and one mortar were destroyed in the fighting. Dmitry Tmchuk {{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/dmitry-tymchuks-military-blog-poroshenko-says-without-return-of-crimea-relations-with-russia-remain-unsteady-353668.html |title=Dmitry Tymchuk's military blog: Poroshenko says without return of Crimea relations with Russia remain unsteady |author=Dmitry Tymchuk |work=Kyiv Post |date=27 June 2014 |access-date=2 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702091733/http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/dmitry-tymchuks-military-blog-poroshenko-says-without-return-of-crimea-relations-with-russia-remain-unsteady-353668.html |df=dmy }} reported that one of the separatists' tanks was destroyed, and one captured,{{cite news|date=27 June 2014 |url=http://www.tasnimnews.com/English/Home/Single/414195 |title=4 Ukrainian Servicemen Dead in Night Clashes in Donetsk Region |agency=Tasnim News Agency |access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629062500/http://www.tasnimnews.com/English/Home/Single/414195 |url-status=live |df=dmy }} while the number of militant casualties was unknown and there was no verification from the separatists.{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2014/06/27/Four-Ukrainian-servicemen-killed-in-new-fighting--military-source/ |title=Four Ukrainian servicemen killed in new fighting – military source |work=The Star |access-date=1 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714173930/http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2014/06/27/Four-Ukrainian-servicemen-killed-in-new-fighting--military-source/ |df=dmy }}

A city bus was hit by gunfire on 1 July, leaving four civilians dead and five wounded.{{cite web|url=http://www.ostro.org/general/society/news/448729/ |title=In Kramatorsk shuttle came under fire. Four people died |work=ОстроВ |access-date=1 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701233457/http://www.ostro.org/general/society/news/448729/ |df=dmy }} Government forces captured the stronghold of Sloviansk from the insurgents on 5 July, forcing them to retreat to Kramatorsk.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28174104 |title=Rebels abandon Sloviansk stronghold |work=BBC News |date=5 July 2014 |access-date=5 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705102950/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28174104 |url-status=live |archive-date=5 July 2014 |df=dmy }} BBC News reported that witnesses saw insurgents abandoning checkpoints in Kramatorsk. Later on the same day, DPR prime minister Alexander Borodai confirmed that the insurgents had withdrawn from Kramatorsk, and retreated to Donetsk city.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28177020 |title=Donetsk rebels in mass withdrawal |work=BBC News |date=5 July 2014 |access-date=5 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=5 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705195859/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28177020 |df=dmy }} Ukrainian forces then regained control of the town, and raised the Ukrainian flag over the city administration building.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/government-claims-full-control-over-sloviansk-kramatorsk-starts-to-fix-infrastructure-354845.html |title=Government claims full control over Sloviansk, Kramatorsk; starts to fix infrastructure |date=6 July 2014 |work=Kyiv Post |access-date=6 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706100900/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/government-claims-full-control-over-sloviansk-kramatorsk-starts-to-fix-infrastructure-354845.html |df=dmy }} Kramatorsk city administration said that at least fifty people had been killed in the fighting, and that twenty-two remained in the hospital as of 8 July because of injuries incurred during it.{{cite news|title=Up to 50 people killed in Kramatorsk during ATO |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/up-to-50-people-killed-in-kramatorsk-during-ato-355174.html |work=Kyiv Post |date=8 July 2014 |access-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709194245/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/up-to-50-people-killed-in-kramatorsk-during-ato-355174.html |df=dmy }}

{{Expand section|date=November 2023}}

Ukrainian Army forces, as well as the SBU took control over the village of Semenivka on 7 July 2014, after a security sweep of it.{{cite web|url=http://en.censor.net.ua/news/292947/ato_forces_completely_control_semenivka_terrorists_fired_at_the_luhansk_airport_information_resistance|title=ATO Forces Completely Control Semenivka. Terrorists Fired at the Luhansk Airport – Information Resistance Group|work=Censor.net|date=7 July 2014|access-date=18 March 2016}}

Kramatorsk would become the provisional administrative center of Donetsk Oblast in October 2014.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

• Outline of the Russo-Ukrainian War

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{War in Donbass}}

{{coord missing|Ukraine}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kramatorsk 2014}}

Category:Kramatorsk

Category:2014 in Ukraine

Category:Donetsk Oblast in the Russo-Ukrainian War

Category:Battles of the war in Donbas

Category:Battles in 2014

Category:Ambushes in Ukraine

Category:Grenade attacks in Ukraine

Category:Explosions in 2014

Category:April 2014 in Ukraine

Category:May 2014 in Ukraine

Category:June 2014 in Ukraine

Category:July 2014 in Ukraine