July 5, 2014 is officially considered the day of liberation of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and is now a national holiday.
Even though the cities were not ‘taken’ in the usual sense of the word, it means nothing in this case. A hybrid war requires non-standard solutions. And the ultimate result is what matters.
Ukrainian flags are now fluttering above the city council buildings. One way or another, this can be considered the first victory.