The Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine is observed worldwide every August 29 to honor Ukrainian soldiers and officers who died defending the country's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. This memorial day was officially added to the Ukrainian holiday calendar in 2019, although it had been informally recognized as Memorial Day for the Fallen ATO Fighters prior to that. The date commemorates the culmination of the battle of Ilovaisk, where significant losses occurred, leading to the death of at least 1,000 soldiers. Following this tragedy, family members began observing August 29 in memory of the fallen. The Ukrainian government, under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, organized remembrance events through the Cabinet of Ministers, with activities coordinated by regional administrations and Ukrainian diplomatic institutions abroad. The observance serves to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the armed conflict in the Donbass region.