The Battle for Ilovaisk started on August 7 when the Armed Forces of Ukraine and pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries attempted to recapture the town of Ilovaisk from the pro-autonomy forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Once government forces entered the town, they were encircled by the DPR’s army.
Ilovaisk is a town in Russian-speaking Donetsk region of Ukraine, with a population of less than 17,000 people. Ilovaisk, however, is a major regional railroad hub. Control of the town has swung back and forth. Ukrainian government and pro-autonomy forces both claimed control of Ilovaisk after fierce fighting.
