In 2014 the city was part of the area of an armed conflict and stayed for some time under the control of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Debaltseve was first damaged on July 24, 2014 − its central market burned down and a private house nearby was destroyed. On July 25 militia counterattacked Ukrainian troops in the area of the city. On July 26 there were reports that Ukrainian forces has been shelling the city with multiple launch rocket systems "Grad", the attack was carried out from the side of Svitlodarsk city. On July 28 in Debaltseve there were battles between units of militia and the Ukrainian army. On July 29 Ukrainian forces managed to take the city under its full control.