February 15, 2014 marked the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. About 160 thousand Ukrainians fought as part of the Soviet troops contingent in Afghanistan, more than 4000 of them were killed performing their military duty. According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine, 2014 inUkraine is held as "The Year of the combatants in foreign states".

February 14, 2014 at the memorial complex of the soldiers-internationalists in Ashdod was a solemn event dedicated to the anniversary of the Soviet troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. Representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine took part in the commemoration of soldiers-internationalists and in the official laying of wreaths at the monument to fallen soldiers .