Defence of Hostomel and Vasylkiv Airfields: An Attempt to Reconstruct Events

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to recreate the course of events in two combat episodes of the Battle of Kyiv – the Russian side’s attempts to land at the airfields in Hostomel and Vasylkiv and the resistance of Ukrainian troops to these attempts.

The research methodology is based on the application of the problem-chronological method, the method of analysis and synthesis, the involvement of a wide range of sources.

The main results. An important part of Russia’s plan for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine was to conduct airborne operations in the Kyiv area. The Russian command planned to seize the airfield near the Ukrainian capital to ensure the transfer of reinforcements by air. The priority goal was Hostomel airfield. As a result of the fighting on February 24–25, 2022, Russian troops managed to capture this airfield, but its runway was destroyed by Ukrainian artillery fire. On the night of February 25–26, a Russian landing party attempted to capture Vasylkiv airfield, but the attack was repulsed. In general, the landing operations conducted by the Russians in the vicinity of Kyiv did not achieve their goal. Hostomel airfield was captured only on the second day of the operation, by ground strike, but the transfer of additional forces to Hostomel by air was impossible. The Russians did not manage to get Vasylkiv airfield at all. Russian airborne troops were unable to show themselves in action for their intended purpose. Later, during the war against Ukraine, they were used only as light mechanized units. This use undermines the very meaning of the existence of airborne troops in their Soviet/Russian form. On the other hand, the Ukrainian troops showed themselves quite well in repelling the landing. A few units, moreover, are subordinated to various departments, although they did not prevent, in the end, the capture of Hostomel by the enemy, but managed to make the airfield unusable.