Battle of Antonov Airport

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Battle of Antonov Airport
Part of the Kyiv offensive and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
AN-225 Mirya ablaze in it's Hangar on February 27th, 2002.jpg
The Antonov An-225 Mriya ablaze in its hangar at Antonov Airport on 27 February 2022. The image was captured via a drone and the aircraft was reportedly destroyed by a Russian missile or airstrike.
Date24–25 February 2022 (1 day)
Location
Antonov Airport, Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast
50°35′27″N 30°12′27″E / 50.59083°N 30.20750°E / 50.59083; 30.20750Coordinates: 50°35′27″N 30°12′27″E / 50.59083°N 30.20750°E / 50.59083; 30.20750
Result

Russian victory

Belligerents
 Russia  Ukraine
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Ukraine Valeriy Chybineyev †
Units involved

 Russian Armed Forces

National Guard of Russia

  • 141st Motorized Regiment

 Ukrainian Armed Forces

National Guard of Ukraine

Security Service of Ukraine

Strength

First assault wave

  • 20–34 helicopters
  • One hundred to several hundred airborne troops
  • At least two Su-25s

Second assault wave

  • 200 helicopters (per Russia)[9]
  • Numerous tanks and armored vehicles
  • Unknown number of ground troops
  • Unknown number of ground troops, tanks, and armored vehicles
  • Several BM-21 (per Russia)
  • At least two Su-24s
  • Several MiG-29s[10]
  • At least two Mi-24s
    • Casualties and losses
    Per Russia:
    None (second assault wave)[9]
    Per Ukraine:
    Several helicopters shot down[11][10]    		 Per Russia:
    200 killed[9]
    Per Ukraine:
    Several Ukrainian National Guardsmen captured

    Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast was attacked on 24 February 2022 during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine due to its strategic value as a potential air bridge for Russian troops. The attack intensified into a battle for control of the airport in which fighting continued until the next day, resulting in a Russian victory.[12]

    Battle

    24 February 2022

    Hostomel Airport in 2012
    Russian airborne troops advance past a hangar containing the Antonov An-225 Mriya at Antonov Airport

    At around 8:00 a.m. local on 24 February 2022, a formation of 20 to 34 Russian helicopters arrived to secure Antonov Airport in Hostomel, a suburb of Kyiv, in an attempt to create an airbridge in which troops and equipment could muster less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Kyiv. The helicopter formation consisted of Mi-8s carrying potentially a hundred to several hundreds of Russian airborne troops escorted by Ka-52 attack helicopters. The paratroopers possibly consisted of the 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade, according to reports.[6][13] The air assault was captured on video by both civilians and soldiers. Flying low, the Russian helicopters made their approach from the Dnieper River and were immediately attacked by Ukrainian small arms fire and MANPADS. The Russian helicopters countered by deploying flares. Several Mi-8s were recorded taking hits and impacting the water.[10] At least one Ka-52 was shot down; its two pilots ejected.[14][6]

    Once disembarked, the Russian airborne units began to capture the airport. Russian forces initially secured the airport, but were met immediately by a Ukrainian counterattack from the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade of the National Guard.[6] Lacking armored vehicles, the Russian forces were dependent on air support to stave off the Ukrainian advances. Two Russian Su-25s were witnessed attacking Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian warplanes which survived the opening Russian missile strikes took part in providing air support for the National Guard units; these included at least two Su-24s and a MiG-29.[6]

    After encircling the airport, the Ukrainians drove out the Russian forces by evening. The surviving Russian airborne troops retreated to the woods outside of the airport.[6][15][16][17][18] Later, the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade posted on their Facebook page an image of their soldiers celebrating the victory, while holding a Ukrainian flag riddled with bullet holes.

    The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world's largest airplane, was at the airport at the time of the opening phase of the battle. It was initially confirmed to be intact by an Antonov pilot, despite the fighting.[19] However, on 27 February, Ukrainian officials claimed that the Mriya had been destroyed by a Russian airstrike.[3][failed verification] On 4 March, Russian state-owned television channel Channel One Russia aired footage showing that the Mriya had been destroyed.[20]

    25 February 2022

    On 25 February 2022, Russian ground forces advancing from Belarus took control of the airport after partially breaking through Ukrainian defenses at the Battle of Ivankiv.[13][21] According to the Russian Ministry of Defence,[22] the capture came following an operation that involved some 200 helicopters. The figure of about 200 Ukrainian casualties and no casualties on the Russian side was announced.[9] This claim was met with skepticism, with Timur Olevsky, a journalist who witnessed the battle, outright refuting this claim.[6][13] Nevertheless, Russian ground forces established a foothold in Hostomel and began to man checkpoints inside the town. It was speculated that the Ukrainian defenders may have scuttled the airport ahead of the advancing Russian ground forces.[6]

    The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs initially denied that the airport had been fully captured by the Russian forces, stating that it had been "changing hands" and that the battle was ongoing. The Ministry of Internal Affairs also insisted that the Russian claim of the massive Ukrainian casualties was "an absolute lie",[23] while the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence declared that the airfield was too badly damaged to be used by Russian troops.[24] Later in the day, Ukraine confirmed that Russian forces were in control of the airport.[25]

    26 February

    On 26 February 2022, Ukrainian forces claimed that the Ukrainian Alpha Group unit destroyed a column of Russian armored vehicles near Hostomel.[26][27] Sophia Fedyna [uk; ru], a member of the Verkhovna Rada, alleged that Russian spetsnaz captured some members of the Ukrainian National Guard and were wearing their uniforms. She asked Ukrainian citizens and fighters to speak only in Ukrainian to help identify Russian saboteurs.[28][29][30]

    Aftermath

    The remains of the Antonov An-225, revealed on 4 March

    Despite the loss of the airport, Ukrainian forces continued to engage the Russian forces in Hostomel. Eyewitnesses recorded videos of allegedly a Russian tank column burning in the distance and Ukrainian Mi-24s firing rockets at Russian positions.[6] Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov claimed that Ukrainian forces deployed BM-21 Grad in Kyiv to bombard Russian forces occupying the airport.[31] Olevsky stated that he believes casualties for both Russian and Ukrainian may number in the hundreds.[32]

    As of 27 February 2022, the airport remained under Russian control as clashes began to shift to the towns of Bucha and Irpin to the south,[33] where Ukrainian forces claimed to have halted the Russian advances, contesting Russian forces in Hostomel amid intense fighting.[34][35][36][37] On 27 February, the Security Service of Ukraine released an alleged intercepted conversation of Russian forces in Hostomel reporting casualties and requesting to be evacuated.[38][39] On the same day, Ukrainian forces bombarded the airport with artillery, and claimed to have destroyed a number of Russian equipment, vehicles, and personnel.[40][41][42] The next day, a Russian military convoy stretching 40 miles (64 km) arrived at the airport in preparation for an assault on Kyiv.[43][44]

    On 24 March, the BBC reported that the airport remained contested.[45]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ Guy, Jack (28 February 2022) [27 February 2022]. "World's largest plane destroyed in Ukraine". CNN. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. The enormous aircraft, named 'Mriya,' or 'dream' in Ukrainian, was parked at an airfield near Kyiv when it was attacked by 'Russian occupants,' Ukrainian authorities said, adding that they would rebuild the plane. 'Russia may have destroyed our 'Mriya'. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail!' wrote Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter. There has been no independent confirmation of the aircraft's destruction. A tweet from the Antonov Company said it could not verify the 'technical condition' of the aircraft until it had been inspected by experts.
    2. ^ "Russia destroys world's largest transport aircraft Ukraine used for humanitarian flights". The Times of Israel. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
    3. ^ a b Tabahriti, Sam. "World's largest cargo aircraft was destroyed during a Russian attack on an airfield, Ukrainian minister says". Business Insider. OCLC 1076392313. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    4. ^ "Ukrainian Troops Retake Key Airport From Russian Paratroopers". coffeeordie.com. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
    5. ^ Clark, Mason; Barros, George; Stepanenko, Kateryna (24 February 2022). "Russia-Ukraine Warning Update: Initial Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment". Critical Threats Project. American Enterprise Institute. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022. Ukrainian forces are currently contesting the Hostomel military airport, 20 km northwest of Kyiv, against Russian VDV (airborne) troops likely from the 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade as of 9:30 pm local time after several unsuccessful counterattacks earlier in the day.
    6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Roblin, Sebastien (27 February 2022). "Pictures: In Battle For Hostomel, Ukraine Drove Back Russia's Attack Helicopters And Elite Paratroopers". 19FortyFive. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
    7. ^ Marson, James (3 March 2022). "Putin Thought Ukraine Would Fall Quickly. An Airport Battle Proved Him Wrong". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. eISSN 1042-9840. ISSN 0099-9660. OCLC 781541372. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
    8. ^ "Facebook". facebook.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2022.[self-published]
    9. ^ a b c d "Russia says 200 Ukrainians 'eliminated' in airbase siege". BBC News. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    10. ^ a b c Cooper, Tom (25 February 2022). "Russian Heliborne Assault on Antonov / Hostomel Airport seems to have Failed". The Aviation Geek Club. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
    11. ^ Eydoux, Thomas (24 February 2022). "Images show Russian army 27 km from centre of Kyiv". France24. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
    12. ^ "Эксперт объяснил значение киевского аэродрома Гостомель для спецоперации". MKRU. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
    13. ^ a b c Монгайт, Анна (25 February 2022). Журналист из Киева рассказал о многочасовом бое за аэропорт Гостомеля [A journalist from Kyiv spoke about the hours-long battle for Gostomel airport]. TV Rain (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    14. ^ Willis, Haley; Tiefenthäler, Ainara; Froliak, Masha (24 February 2022). "Russian helicopters attack an airport near Kyiv". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
    15. ^ "Airport in Gostomel taken under control – Arestovich". Perild. Perild. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
    16. ^ Shull, Abbie (24 February 2022). "Ukrainian and Russian forces have been fighting for hours over a critical airfield just outside Kyiv". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
    17. ^ Trimble, Steve. "Bloody Day in Ukraine Ends With Russian Advances, Setbacks". Aviation Week & Space Technology. ISSN 0005-2175. OCLC 960324865. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    18. ^ "Ukraine says Russian helicopters, aircraft dispatch paratroopers to Hostomel airport". Reuters. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
    19. ^ "Antonov An-225 Mriya is safe". KEY.Aero. Key Publishing. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
    20. ^ Jankowicz, Kieran Corcoran, Mia. "Video shows charred wreck of world's biggest airplane, the Antonov AN-225, after it was destroyed in Russian invasion of Ukraine". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
    21. ^ "Ukraine live updates: Kyiv warns of sabotage groups as curfew imposed". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
    22. ^ Doucet, Lyse (25 February 2022). "Ukraine conflict: Kyiv braces for Russian assault". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022. On Friday afternoon, Russia's defence ministry announced it had captured the Antonov airport, using 200 helicopters and a landing force in order to take the base to the north of Kyiv from Ukraine. Western intelligence officials warned earlier that Russia was building an "overwhelming force" to take control of the city.
    23. ^ В Гостомеле два дня идут бои — МВД [Fighting has been going on in Gostomel for two days – Ministry of Internal Affairs]. Новое Время (in Russian). 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    24. ^ "Ukraine asks for fighters of all ages, reports city lost, but successes elsewhere". The Times of Israel. 25 February 2022. OCLC 969749342. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    25. ^ "What's the latest?". BBC News. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    26. ^ "Ukrainian forces destroy convoy of 56 Chechen tanks, kill general near Kyiv – report". The Times of Israel. OCLC 969749342. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
    27. ^ "Russian invasion update: Ukrainian military destroy Kadyrov forces unit near Hostomel". Ukrinform. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
    28. ^ У Гостомелі російський спецназ захопив військову частину, солдати перевдягаються у форму Нацгвардії – нардепка [In Gostomel the Russian special forces captured military unit, soldiers change into uniforms of National guard – the people's deputy]. Gordonua.com (in Ukrainian). 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
    29. ^ Войска РФ завладели униформой Нацгвардии в Гостомеле, возможны провокации, максимально дезинформируйте диверсантов [Russian troops seized the uniform of the National Guard in Gostomel, provocations are possible, misinform saboteurs as much as possible]. Censor.NET (in Russian). 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    30. ^ Российский спецназ захватил воинскую часть в Гостомеле [Russian special forces captured a military unit in Gostomel]. Segodnya (in Russian). 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    31. ^ "Ukrainian army fires BM-21 rockets at Hostomel airport held by the Russian special forces". Army Recognition. 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    32. ^ Дзядко, Тихон (25 February 2022). Бои за Киев, Сумы, аэродром Гостомеля и стрельба в Одессе: хроника второго дня войны в Украине [Fights for Kyiv, Sumy, Gostomel airfield and shooting in Odessa: a chronicle of the second day of the war in Ukraine]. TV Rain (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
    33. ^ "Latest Military Situation in Ukraine, 27 February 2022 (Map Update)". Islamic World News. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022. On February 27, the southern areas of Gostomel Airport, including Bucha and Irpin, witnessed one of the heaviest battles in the past four days between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Russian forces trying to block the western entrances to the city of Kiev by advancing in this area.
    34. ^ Tishchenko, Katerina (27 February 2022). Войска РФ пытались прорваться в Бучу, Ирпень и Гостомель, их остановили – Арестович [Russian troops tried to break into Bucha, Irpen and Gostomel, they were stopped - Arestovich]. Українська правда [Ukrayinska Pravda] (in Russian). OCLC 1066371688. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
    35. ^ Orlova, Violetta (27 February 2022). Бої за Ірпінь, Бучу, та Гостомель: що відбувається в цих населених пунктах на Київщині [Battles for Irpin, Bucha, and Gostomel: what is happening in these settlements in Kyiv region]. Українське Незалежне Інформаційне Агентство Новин [Ukrainian Independent Information Agency] (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022. У Київській облдержадміністрації розповіли про ситуацію станом на 27 лютого на напрямку Ірпінь - Буча - Гостомель. [The Kyiv Regional State Administration reported on the situation as of February 27 in the direction of Irpin - Bucha - Gostomel.]
    36. ^ Baikov, Dmitry (27 February 2022). Российские войска прорвали оборону Киева со стороны аэродрома «Гостомель» [Russian troops broke through the defense of Kyiv from the airfield "Gostomel"]. «Ру́сская плане́та» [Russian Planet] (in Russian). Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
    37. ^ Гостомель в облозі: пожежники й "швидка" не їдуть, 4 добу без світла, тепла і води, багато поранених [Gostomel under siege: firefighters and ambulance do not go, 4 days without light, heat and water, many wounded]. Еспресо TV [Espreso TV]. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
    38. ^ Sergienko, Yuri (27 February 2022). "Нас распи*дошили, нужно вытаскивать": перехвачены разговоры оккупантов, прорывавшихся в Гостомеле. Аудио 18+ ["They've killed us, we need to be pulled out": the conversations of the invaders who were breaking through in Gostomel were intercepted. Audio 18+]. Обозреватель [Obozrevatel]. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
    39. ^ Molodkovets, Maria (27 February 2022). "«Одні 200-ті й 300-ті». СБУ оприлюднила розмову окупантів після битви у Гостомелі ["Some 200's and 300's." The SBU published a conversation between the occupiers after the battle of Gostomel]. Новое Время (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
    40. ^ "Нанесен удар по аэропорту Гостомель: личный состав и техника оккупанта уничтожены, – Госсвязи. ФОТО Источник". censor.net. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    41. ^ Орлова, Виолетта (27 February 2022). "В Гостомеле артиллерия ВСУ разбомбила оккупантов и их технику (фото)". Українське Незалежне Інформаційне Агентство Новин [Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    42. ^ Орлова, Виолетта (26 February 2022). "В районе Гостомеля работает артиллерия оккупантов (фото)". Українське Незалежне Інформаційне Агентство Новин [Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
    43. ^ Beech, Eric (28 February 2022). Ahmann, Tim (ed.). "Russian military convoy north of Kyiv stretches for 40 miles – Maxar". Reuters. Washington. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022. WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Satellite images taken on Monday show a Russian military convoy north of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv that stretches for about 40 miles (64 km), substantially longer than the 17 miles (27 km) reported earlier in the day, a U.S. private company said. Maxar Technologies (MAXR.N) also said additional ground forces deployments and ground attack helicopter units were seen in southern Belarus, less than 20 miles (32 km) north of the Ukraine border.
    44. ^ Quay, Grayson (28 February 2022). "17-mile-long Russian convoy reaches outskirts of Kyiv". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022. Per CNN, the convoy was originally identified on Sunday in satellite imagery provided by Maxar Technologies. At the time, it was approximately 40 miles from Kyiv. By around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, the convoy was positioned near Antonov air base, about 17 miles from the city center of Kyiv.
    45. ^ Doucet, Lyse; Jackson, Marie (24 March 2022). "A month into invasion Ukraine is pushing Russians back". BBC News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

    External links

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Antonov_Airport&oldid=1079072858"