January 16 - Day of Remembrance of “cyborgs”: how the symbol of Ukraine's invincibility was born

On January 16, Ukraine honors the memory of the defenders of Donetsk airport, the legendary “cyborgs” who held off enemy attacks for months. This day has become a symbol of the invincibility, self-sacrifice and fortitude of Ukrainian soldiers. Learn more about the history of this date and its significance for modern Ukraine

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On January 16, Ukraine remembers those whom the enemy called “cyborgs” - the defenders of Donetsk airport, who became a symbol of incredible resilience and strength of the human spirit. They held the defense where it seemed impossible to survive: among the ruins, under incessant fire, without adequate sleep and heat, often with minimal supplies of ammunition and water. Their endurance destroyed the idea of the limits of human capabilities and showed that true strength is measured not by equipment, but by devotion to their land and their brothers.

That is why this day, established by the DAP defenders themselves as an unofficial Day of Remembrance for the “cyborgs”, has become not just a date on the calendar, but a moral guideline for the whole country. It is a reminder of the price of freedom, of those who held the sky over Ukraine, and of the duty of the living to remember and be worthy of their feat.

Defense of Donetsk airport: how the “cyborgs” were born

The defense of the Donetsk International Airport named after Serhiy Prokofiev lasted for 242 days - from May 2014 to January 2015 - and became one of the most difficult and heroic pages of the modern Ukrainian war. Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers and special forces held the strategic facility completely surrounded, under constant artillery fire, air strikes and assaults from a much more numerous enemy.

The conditions in which the defenders fought were inhuman. Destroyed terminals, concrete that had turned to dust, sub-zero temperatures in winter, constant shortages of water, food and ammunition. The soldiers slept sporadically, often on the cold floor or among the rubble, but returned to their positions again and again. They held the line not only with weapons, but also with character: endurance, mutual support, and faith that Ukraine would stand with them.

The name “cyborgs” was given to these fighters by the militants themselves and Russian propagandists, who did not believe that ordinary people could survive and fight for so long in the hell of the destroyed airport. However, Ukrainians took the word differently - as a symbol of superhuman resilience, courage, and indomitable spirit. Since then, “cyborgs” have become not just a call sign, but an image of a new generation of warriors for whom honor, brotherhood and freedom are more important than fear and fatigue.

Why January 16: the origin of the Cyborg Memorial Day?

January 16, 2015 was one of the most tragic dates in the history of the defense of Donetsk airport. It was on this day that, after another massive assault and the blowing up of the new terminal's ceilings, Ukrainian defenders found themselves under the rubble of the destroyed building. Some soldiers were killed on the spot, while others were seriously injured or taken prisoner. The airport, which had been held for more than eight months, effectively ceased to exist as a fortified position, but the spirit of its defenders remained unbroken.

Despite the losses, this date did not become a symbol of defeat. On the contrary, it turned into a day of remembrance for those who remained in position to the last, covering their comrades and following orders even when there was almost no chance of survival. It was the defenders of the DAP who suggested that January 16 should be honored every year as a separate day of remembrance for the “cyborgs”-without official ceremonies and pathos, but with a deep inner respect for their fallen comrades.

Over the years, this tradition has spread throughout the country. Although the date is not fixed at the state level, for thousands of Ukrainians it has no less weight than official memorial days. It is a quiet but powerful form of national memory - about courage without loud words, about resilience that does not need orders, and about people who have proven that it is not concrete that holds true defense, but human character.

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What is the significance of the “cyborgs'” feat for Ukraine today?

The feat of the defenders of Donetsk airport has long gone beyond a single military operation. The “cyborgs” have become a moral guideline for the entire country - an example of how a person can survive where there seems to be no chance. Their story cemented a simple but profound truth in the public consciousness: the strength of a state is determined not only by its weapons or the size of its army, but by the willingness of its citizens to stand up for freedom to the end.

After the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the image of “cyborgs” took on a new meaning. For thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, it has become an internal standard of resilience: not to retreat, not to give up, to support their comrades even in the most difficult moments. For civilians, it is a symbol that fear can be overcome and fatigue can be overcome if you have a country fighting for the right to exist behind you.

The memory of the defense of the DAP also shapes the modern Ukrainian identity. It reminds us that independence is not a given, but the result of specific human decisions and sacrifices. It is through such stories that the awareness of shared responsibility is born: for the state, for the army, for the future of children. "The Cyborgs proved that invincibility is not a buzzword, but a daily choice to remain human even in the midst of war.

Why is it important to remember and talk about the “cyborgs”?

The memory of the defense of the Donetsk airport is not only about the past, but about the values that underpin modern Ukraine. The story of the “cyborgs” reminds us that true strength is born not from orders or circumstances, but from an internal decision not to break. That's why the phrase “Cyborgs survived - concrete did not” has become more than an apt expression. It turned into a formula for Ukrainian resilience, where the human spirit proved to be stronger than any fortifications.

Talking about “cyborgs” is important to keep the connection between generations alive. For those who are fighting today, it is a reminder that their struggle has deep roots and continues the path laid down in 2014-2015. For civilians, it is a way not to get used to the war, not to perceive it as a background, but to realize the real price of every peaceful morning, every opportunity to live and plan for the future.

This memory also teaches responsibility. Responsibility not only to the dead, but also to the living - those who returned from the front with injuries, broken health, and painful memories, but with the same unbreakable dignity. By honoring the “cyborgs” on January 16, Ukrainians are actually confirming that the feat does not disappear with the ruins, it becomes part of the national character.

Today, everyone can join in supporting Ukraine — not only on the front lines, but also in everyday life. One way to do this is to purchase patriotic Visit Ukraine merchandise: T-shirts, hoodies, souvenirs, and accessories with Ukrainian symbols. Every purchase is a contribution to supporting Ukrainians and Ukraine. It is a simple but meaningful way to show that the heroes of the past are not forgotten and that today's defenders are not alone.

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