On May 26, 2014, the first battle for control of the Donetsk International Airport took place between pro-russian militants and Ukrainian military forces.

The “Vostok” battalion under the command of Oleksandr Khodakovskyi, reinforced by active servicemen of the russian armed forces and veterans of the Chechen campaigns, resisted a combined group of Ukrainian servicemen. A significant role in the initial hours of the battle was played by a group of the 10th detachment of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine under the command of Colonel Maksym Shapoval, who first entered the new terminal of Donetsk Airport, eliminating the enemies from there. Thanks to skilful command, the Ukrainian forces did not suffer any losses; three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded, while the enemy sustained significant losses. The battles for Donetsk Airport lasted until 22nd January 2022 and became a symbol of the resilience and fighting spirit of the Ukrainian forces. The defenders of the terminals was dubbed as "cyborgs."