funeral was held in Kyiv on 12 May for an Azov Battalion member who was killed in the fighting. A further violent death was reported on 25 May, when the Ukrainian government said its special police had killed a bodyguard of Mariupol DPR leader Denis Kuzmenko, while arresting Kuzmenko himself. Five separatists and two soldiers were killed during the takeover of the city by the military on 13 June 2014. Five border guards were killed and seven wounded in an ambush attack on a military convoy on 14 June 2014. A report by Human Rights Watch said that the Ukrainian military may have used excessive force during the battle of Mariupol. In January 2015, Kyiv Post cited a Bellingcat citizen's investigation into the May 2014 events in Mariupol. It asserted that Ukrainian soldiers had made a decided effort to avoid firing directly at the protesters, whilst taking fire and suffering casualties themselves. According to the investigation, of the thirteen people listed killed, six were Ukrainian law enforcement officers, soldiers, or members of the Azov Battalion. Legacy On 13 June 2015, a monument to the defenders of the Military Unit No. 3057 was unveiled in the city on the first anniversary of the battle. A documentary film on the Public TV of Azov called Year of Freedom. Mariupol After DNR was released in 2015. Mariupol Liberation Day from Russian Occupation () was celebrated annually on 13 June, being an official holiday in the city. It was first celebrated at the state level in 2016 (the second anniversary). On this day, the Azov Regiment held an organized military parade at 10:00 am. The Russian victory in the 2022 Siege of Mariupol effectively ended the celebration of Mariupol Liberation Day. 5th anniversary On Liberation Day 2019, the traditional military parade was held, during which soldiers of the Azov Regiment, Military Unit 3057, representatives of the National Police and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine marched. President Volodymyr Zelensky paid an official visit to the city, attending joint military exercises and the opening of a demining center. Gala concerts were also held throughout the city. See also Offensive on Mariupol (September 2014) Offensive on Mariupol (January 2015) References 2014 in Ukraine History of Mariupol Mariupol Articles containing video clips May 2014 events in Ukraine June 2014 events in Ukraine Battles involving the Donetsk People's Republic Battles in 2014