The Battle for Hostomel Airfield, also known as Antonov Airport, unfolded in the opening hours of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and proved to be a crucial turning point in the conflict. The battle's outcome directly impacted Russia's initial strategy and significantly shaped the subsequent course of the war.
Russia's Ambitious Plan:
The Russian military devised a bold plan predicated on speed, surprise, and precise sequencing. The core objective was to swiftly capture Hostomel Airfield, located approximately 15 miles from the center of Kyiv. This would then allow Russia to establish an "air bridge" to fly in thousands of additional troops and equipment directly to the outskirts of the capital.
The plan involved three main phases:
•Phase 1: Airborne Assault: Dozens of helicopters would transport elite paratroopers from Belarus to Hostomel Airfield to seize the airfield and its runway.
•Phase 2: Airlift Reinforcements: Once the airfield was secured, transport planes would land, delivering approximately 1,000 additional soldiers.
•Phase 3: Over Land Advance: A third wave of reinforcements would advance overland from Belarus to join the forces at Hostomel.
•Ultimate Objective: This combined force would then advance into Kyiv, overthrow the Ukrainian government, and take control of the country.
Initial Russian Deployment:
At 0900 hours, the operation commenced with approximately 30 Russian helicopters lifting off from an airfield outside Maia in Belarus. The helicopter formation included:
•Attack Helicopters: 10 Ka-52 attack helicopters and a smaller number of older Mi-24 attack helicopters.
•Transport Helicopters: Two waves of Mi-8 transport helicopters, each carrying 300 soldiers from the 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade (VDV) and the 45th Spetsnaz Brigade.
To avoid detection by Ukrainian air defenses, the helicopters flew at very low altitudes, employing a "nap of the earth" approach, skimming over the terrain and waterways. Despite these efforts, Ukrainian forces spotted the incoming helicopters as they approached a large dam north of Kyiv and opened fire, downing one Mi-24 and damaging a Ka-52.
Ukrainian Defense:
Around 200 Ukrainian soldiers were stationed at Hostomel Airfield. These troops were primarily from the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade and were equipped with:
•Zu-23-2 anti-aircraft guns.
•Rifles.
•Igla anti-air rocket launchers.
Vehicles were also strategically parked across the runway to prevent Russian aircraft from landing. At 11:00 hours, the Russian helicopters arrived at Hostomel Airfield and encountered immediate resistance. The attack helicopters targeted the northern end of the runway to eliminate the anti-aircraft gun, while the transport helicopters attempted to land troops near the barracks.
Fierce Fighting and Heavy Losses:
The ensuing battle was intense, with both sides exchanging heavy fire. The Russians sustained significant losses, including:
•Three Ka-52 attack helicopters shot down.
•One Mi-24 helicopter destroyed.
•One Mi-8 helicopter damaged.
The Ukrainians also suffered damage, with the Antonov An-225 "Maria," one of the world's largest aircraft, being destroyed in its hangar. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Ukrainian defenders put up a tenacious defense for two crucial hours. Eventually, running low on ammunition, they were forced to retreat towards the barracks.
By 13:00 hours, Russian forces had seized control of Hostomel Airfield. They raised their flag over the airport barracks, marking a temporary victory.
Ukrainian Counter-Attack:
The Ukrainian military recognized the critical importance of preventing the Russian airlift from proceeding. They swiftly mobilized reinforcements from nearby cities, including:
•The 72nd Mechanized Brigade from Kyiv and Bila Tserkva.
•The 80th Air Assault Brigade and 95th Air Assault Brigade from Zhytomyr.
Civilians aided the effort, providing commercial trucks and trailers to transport heavy armor. As reinforcements arrived, they began targeting the runway with artillery fire, rendering it unusable for Russian transport planes. This action forced the cancellation of the planned airlift from Pskov, stranding the initial Russian paratroopers at Hostomel.
On the afternoon of the initial invasion day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Hostomel Airfield was completely surrounded. Ukrainian forces launched a counter-attack to retake the airport. The attack involved:
•Ukrainian Airborne troops advancing from the west.
•The 72nd Mechanized Brigade attacking from the east.
•Artillery support.
•Close air support from Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopters.
By 21:00 hours, Ukrainian forces had successfully regained full control of Hostomel Airfield. The surviving Russian paratroopers were driven off the airfield, suffering heavy casualties.
Strategic Impact:
Although the Ukrainians withdrew from the Airfield the following day, they shelled it to ensure it could not be easily repaired. Hostomel would ultimately be as close to Kev as Russia's troops would get. The Battle for Hostomel Airfield had a profound impact on the course of the war:
•Thwarted Blitzkrieg: The failure to secure Hostomel Airfield disrupted Russia's plan for a swift capture of Kyiv.
•Bought Crucial Time: The fierce resistance of the Ukrainian defenders bought valuable time for Ukraine to mobilize its forces and organize the defense of the capital.
•Forced Strategic Shift: Russia was forced to abandon its initial objectives and refocus its war effort on the Donbas region.
Lessons Learned:
The Battle for Hostomel Airfield exposed critical flaws in the Russian military's planning and execution.
•Loss of Surprise: The Ukrainians were aware of the potential for an airborne assault on Hostomel, diminishing the element of surprise.
•Underestimation of Resistance: Russian forces underestimated the Ukrainian military's will to fight and the level of resistance they would encounter.
•Logistical Failures: Poor logistics hampered the arrival of Russian reinforcements, leaving the initial assault force isolated and vulnerable.
The battle also highlighted the importance of Ukrainian resolve and adaptability.
Historical Context:
The source notes that Russia's initial plan mirrored tactics used by the Soviet Union in previous invasions. These include:
•Czechoslovakia (1968): Soviet paratroopers seized Prague's main airport, allowing for the rapid deployment of troops and the subsequent occupation of the country.
•Afghanistan (1979): Soviet forces captured Kabul airport, facilitating the insertion of troops and the overthrow of the Afghan government.
•Crimea (2014): Russia seized control of the main airport in Sevastopol, enabling the occupation and annexation of Crimea.
These historical examples suggest that Ukrainian generals, familiar with Soviet military doctrine, anticipated the Russian strategy. Valeri Zaluzhny, Ukraine's top general, understood how the Russians thought because he was trained to think the same way.
Conclusion:
The Battle for Hostomel Airfield was a decisive victory for Ukraine. The courage and determination of the Ukrainian defenders, coupled with strategic blunders by the Russian military, resulted in the failure of Russia's initial plan to quickly seize Kyiv. This outcome had far-reaching consequences, shaping the entire course of the war and demonstrating the resilience of the Ukrainian people
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