The library of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University received a valuable gift from a graduate of the Faculty of Natural and Agrarian Sciences, currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Landscape Gardening and Ecology, a famous polar explorer, candidate of biological sciences and volunteer Serhii Hlotov – copies of the book “In the Ring of Fire. The Defense of the Luhansk Airport”, the creation of which he initiated.

As the author emphasizes, the publication was the first attempt in Ukraine to systematically collect and analyze the testimonies of direct participants in one of the most heroic and at the same time most tragic operations of the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which still remains insufficiently known to the general public.

The documentary chronicle covers the events of the defense of the international airport “Luhansk” and nearby settlements (April – early September 2014), as well as the events preceding the occupation of Luhansk (winter – spring 2013-2014). A team of volunteers collected the memories of more than 140 participants and eyewitnesses – military personnel, volunteers, local residents, law enforcement officers, airport workers, and medics. The publication is supplemented with unique photographs, maps of the fighting, as well as professional comments by military researchers and experts. A list of deceased Ukrainian soldiers from various units is provided separately.

The book was published in Ukrainian and English to convey the truth about the events of the defense of Luhansk airport to the international community, preserve the historical memory of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and make the voices of the defenders heard far beyond the borders of Ukraine. The publication is available in both printed and electronic formats.

It is worth noting that Serhii Volodymyrovych is part of the initiative group for the creation of the petition “On the establishment of a State date of honoring the feat of the defenders of the Luhansk airport on August 31”, the collection of signatures in support of which is ongoing: https://petition.president.gov.ua/petition/259432

We sincerely thank Serhii Hlotov for his significant contribution to the preservation of historical truth and replenishment of the university library with such an important publication. For the university community and all Luhansk residents, this book is not only a documentary evidence of the events, but also a symbol of invincibility, memory and dignity.

Marketing Department of LTSNU