The epic battle for the Donetsk International Airport and its huge symbolism for the Ukraine crisis, explained.

by Chris Dunnett, Hromadske International

What You Need to Know

✓ The Donetsk International Airport was completed in May 2012, just in time for the European Football Championship in June of that year

✓ The airport became one of the first hotspots in the Ukrainian conflict, after the Ukrainian military took back control of the airport from Russian-backed separatists in May. Back then thirty-four of the dead insurgents were Russian nationals whose bodies were returned to Russia

✓ The Ukrainian military has struggled to maintain control of the airport since then

✓ A cease fire was declared between Ukraine and Pro-Russian militiamen on September 5. However, fighting for the airport has continued largely unabated.