Strategic Character of the Kyiv Defensive Operation (February 24 — April 2, 2022)

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to clarify and structure the content of the battle for Kyiv, which reflects the nature and course of fighting, to highlight the features of military operations on the Kyiv direction in 2022, as well as to analyze the essence and content of the most important events related to the defence of Kyiv and their strategic nature.

Methodological approaches for studying the mentioned problems are based on the use of research tools of military history, namely, methods of historical-systemic, problem-chronological, historical-comparative, historical-genetic periodization. The specific nature of the subject caused the use of the combination of special methods of military-historical research with methods of other sciences, in particular: military science, political science and the study of management activities.

Scientific novelty is determined by clarifying the periodization of the Kyiv defensive operation and the specifics of each stage of military operations; highlighting the victory in the battle for Kyiv as a key event of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Conclusions. The successful leadership of the operational groups of troops, the professionalism and high morale of defenders of Ukraine, the use of the latest types of weapons in combination with the support of Ukraine’s international partners provided a fitting rebuff the Russian aggressors. The Kyiv defensive operation is of strategic importance, as its results significantly changed the situation on the main strategic direction of the Russian invasion and significantly influenced the further course of the war forcing the enemy to fundamentally reconsider their strategic plan.