On the evening of 9 March 2022, a column of Russian armored vehicles advanced into Brovary from the north via Highway M01.[2][3][4] The column, consisting of 6th and 239th Tank Regiments of the 90th Guards Tank Division,[1] was moving very slowly and included many highly outdated vehicles such as T-72 tanks, described as ill-suited to modern warfare by analysts of the following battle.[5] In addition, the convoy was headed by self-propelled artillery such as TOS-1 which were especially vulnerable targets.[4]
At a village near Brovary,[4] the Ukrainian forces saw an opportunity to ambush the Russians and attacked. Using artillery and antitank missiles, the Ukrainians disabled several tanks and armored personnel carriers.[5] A Ukrainian soldier later stated that the ambushers had initially targeted the first and last vehicles in the convoy to trap the rest in the middle. In this regard, the attack was not entirely successful, as the Ukrainians were unable to cut off the Russians' route of retreat.[4] The Russian column suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat.[6][7] Ukrainian officials claimed that the commander of the 6th Tank Regiment, Colonel Andrei Zakharov, was killed in the skirmish.[1][8] Some Russian soldiers reportedly fled on foot into the nearby woods and villages.[5]
Despite the retreat of the 90th Guards Tank Division, heavy fighting erupted in villages east of the ambush site.[4] There, fighting lasted for several days between Russian and Ukrainian troops.[4] Russian survivors of the ambush shot civilians at the villages, suspecting them of aiding the local defenders.[5]
On 12 March, Russia claimed that its troops had disabled the Ukrainian military's main centre for communications and intelligence that was located in Brovary.[9] The mayor of Brovary, Ihor Sapozhko, however stated, "We are ready for them."[10]
Russia
Ukraine
