During the
Ukrainian War of Independence, from 1917 to 1920, it passed between various factions. Afterwards, it was administratively part of the
Donets Governorate of Ukraine.
Battle of Ilovaisk Starting in mid-April 2014, Russian paramilitaries captured several towns in Donetsk Oblast, including Ilovaisk. On 19 August 2014, Ukrainian forces reportedly secured the
city centre from the Russia-backed militants; fighting for control of other parts of the town continued. On 21 August, the
Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that heavy fighting continued "in some districts of Ilovaisk", while the Russia-backed forces claimed they had repelled the Ukrainian military and surrounded a contingent of Ukrainian troops. Fighting for control of the town continued over the next days. The Russian Armed Forces retook the city as of 1 September 2014. ==Demographics==