Battle of Kyiv

Combat in and around Kyiv (2022)

Combat in and around Kyiv

As a component of the operation launched against Kiev in 2022 The invasion of Ukraine by Russia.The Girl in Kherson - Angelique

The Russian military attacked the TV Tower in Kiev.jpg

svg filename: Battle of Kyiv (2022)

Above: Russian artillery fire directed at the TV tower in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 1, 2022

Below: As of April 2nd, the situation in and around Kyiv

Dates: February 25th to March 31st, 2022 (1 month and 6 days)

Place of occurrence Kyiv, Ukraine

The end result was a win for the Ukrainians [3].

Belligerents Russia Ukraine

backed by members of the Belarusian opposition [1]

[2]

Commanding officers and group leaders

Unknown

Oleksandr Syrskyi Vitali Klitschko Units involved

[4] 37th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade; sometimes known as the 37th Guards Brigade.

[5] 104th Guards Air Assault Regiment (Guards)

Forces Specializing in Special Operations[6]

72nd Mechanized Brigade [7] 141st Motorized National Guard Brigade [8]

Protection of the General Staff by the 101st Brigade [9]

112th Territorial Defense Brigade [10] [Significant Number]

Ukrainian Foreign Legion[11]

Detachment of Special Operations for the Azov [12]

[13] The 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade

Irregular civilian volunteers (organized militia)

[14]

The Ukrainian Government's Emergency Service

[15]

The Ukrainian State Security Service

[16]

Battalion of the Sheikh Mansur [17]

[18] Battalion of the Dzhokhar Dudayev.

Strength 15,000–30,000 soldiers

[19]

[20]

700+ vehicles used by the military

[21]

Unknown regular soldiers were present.

18,000+ irregular forces

[22]

Casualties and losses have occurred.

Unknown, but likely quite hefty

[23]

[24]

[25]

At least four aircraft were brought down by the enemy [26].

[27] 162 troops killed, 748 injured (as of 18 March 2022)

[28]

1 Sukhoi Su-27 jet plane was destroyed by enemy fire [29].

89 civilians killed,[30]

Approximately 2 million civilians were relocated [31].

2022: The beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the fight of Kyiv was a component of the Kyiv offensive. The goal of the battle was to gain control of Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, as well as the neighboring districts. Elements of the Russian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Ground Forces participated in the conflict as fighters. The conflict began on February 25, 2022 and continued until April 2, 2022. It was resolved when Russian forces withdrew from the battlefield.

At first, Russian forces controlled critical districts to the north and west of Kyiv, which led to widespread speculation across the world community that the capital city was about to fall. However, the tenacious opposition put up by the Ukrainians slowed things down. After a month of drawn-out battle, Ukrainian forces were finally able to make successful counterattacks. This was due to poor logistics and tactical decisions made by the Russian forces, which enabled the defenders thwart attempts at encirclement.

In the course of the peace negotiations that took place in Istanbul on March 29, the Russian team announced that they would significantly reduce their military activities in the vicinity of Kyiv and Chernihiv.

[32] After another four days, the Ukrainian authorities announced that the capital city of Kyiv and the region that surrounds it were once again under Ukrainian authority.

Contents

1 The initial assault by the Russians (25–27 February 2022)

1.1 Initial Russian incursion and initial mobilization of Ukrainian forces

1.2 Escalation

1.3 Civilian responses

2nd assault launched by Russia

2.1 An ongoing bombardment campaign and a Russian convoy

2.2 The efforts being made to encircle Kiev

3 Russian offensive maneuvers are unsuccessful

4 The counteroffensive by the Ukrainians and the retreat by the Russians

5 Also see:

6 References

7 Notes

The first assault from Russia (25–27 February 2022)

On February 24, 2022, Russian soldiers and Ukrainian troops fought a battle near the Hostomel Airport. The next day, a crucial supply base for Russian soldiers positioned near Kyiv, the airport in Hostomel, which is located in a town located to the north of the capital, was taken control of by Ukrainian forces. [33]

Troops from the Territorial Defense Forces in Kyiv on February 25th.

Infiltration of Russian forces and initial mobilization on the Ukrainian side

On the morning of February 25, three Russian saboteurs entered the Obolon District while disguised as Ukrainian soldiers. This district is located around 10 kilometers or 6 miles north of the Verkhovna Rada building, which is the location of the Ukrainian parliament.

[34]

[35] After that, they were executed by Ukrainian government soldiers.

[36]

[37] Several hours later, a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft flown by Colonel Oleksandr Oksanchenko was brought down over the city by enemy fire and finally crashed into an apartment building. [29] The sounds of gunshots could be heard throughout the day in a number of different areas of the city. According to statements made by officials from Ukraine, the firing was caused by clashes between Russian forces and Ukrainian troops. [38] [39] During the night, there was a significant amount of gunshots heard around the city. Later, Ukrainian soldiers asserted that they had eliminated approximately sixty Russian saboteurs during the operation. [24]

Escalation

The aftermath of a missile attack that occurred on February 26, 2022, on an apartment block in the city of Kyiv

More than half an hour of artillery fire from Russia was directed towards the city early on the morning of February 26.

[40] At the same time, Ukrainian forces were successful in repelling an attack on a power station in the Troieshchyna area located in the city's northeast. It was hypothesized that the strike was a Russian attempt to shut off energy to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. [41] Heavy battle was also taking place in Shuliavka, which is located close to the Kyiv Zoo. The Ukrainian soldiers were defending an army base on Prospect Peremohy. [42] According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces were able to successfully repel a Russian onslaught and have maintained their hold over Kyiv and the territory surrounding it. From 17:00 until 08:00, there was to be a curfew, and anyone caught breaking it was to be branded a saboteur. [43] The Russian military was located approximately 31 kilometers (19 miles) away from the central business district of Kyiv, as stated by the British Ministry of Defense. [44]

The fighting between Russian saboteurs and Ukrainian forces lasted throughout the 27th of February. In the meantime, local leaders were resolute in their assertion that the city was still entirely under the hands of the Ukrainian government. [45] In the later hours of that morning, a rocket crashed to the ground and exploded in the courtyard of a 16-story highrise in Troieshchyna, causing several vehicles to be destroyed. [46] According to statements made by Ukrainian government representatives, the missile was launched from Belarus by a Russian strategic bomber. [Clarification needed] [47] [48] The Associated Press reported in the evening that the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, had said that the city was encircled,[49] which was soon confirmed as a mistake by his spokesperson in The Kyiv Independent. Since then, the report has been deemed to contain misleading material. [50]

During the night, a Russian convoy made an effort to set up a temporary base near Syrets Metro. In response, Ukrainian troops engaged in a violent battle with the Russians, which resulted in multiple deaths. Additionally, Russian military personnel opened fire on a military bus belonging to the Ukrainian government, resulting in casualties of which the exact number is unknown. [51]

Civilian responses

At the beginning of the assault, Klitschko promised to defend himself by taking up arms and fighting.

[52] Zelenskyy advised the people of Kyiv to resist to the Russian assault by carrying out improvised attacks with Molotov cocktails.

[53]

[54] It was strongly recommended that residents stay away from windows and balconies.

[41] On the first day of the conflict, 18,000 firearms were given out to civilians, and the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, which are generally held in reserve, were mobilized as soon as the assault began.

[22]

The Ukrainian interior minister Denys Monastyrsky made the announcement on February 26 that more than 25,000 assault rifles, about 10 million ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, and rocket launchers had been distributed to civilian volunteers in the city of Kyiv.

[55]

A second assault from Russia

See also: The Russian Convoy to Kiev The Russian convoy as well as the ongoing bombardment

On February 28, a new wave of Russian forces moved into Kyiv; however, there was very little direct action that day, and just three missiles were fired at the city.

[56]

[57] Images captured by satellites showed a long line of Russian vehicles traveling in the direction of Kyiv along a roadway that was around 39 kilometers (24 miles) away from the city's central business district. The route was 64 kilometers (40 miles) long and approached Kyiv from the north. [58] [59] [60] At a roadblock, Ukrainian soldiers mistakenly shot and killed an Israeli citizen who was also a Ukrainian citizen. They believed he was a Chechen serving in the Russian army. [61] [62]

A structure in Kyiv that was leveled by Russian artillery fire.

0:20

Attack with a rocket on the TV Tower in Kiev on March 1

On the morning of March 1, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued an evacuation notice to local civilians, stating that they intended to target Ukrainian transmission facilities around Kyiv and that all nearby residents should leave the area. The notice instructed local civilians to leave the area because Russian forces intended to target the facilities.

[63]

[64] A Russian missile attacked the Kyiv TV Tower a few hours later, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to another five. [65] All television transmissions in Kyiv were disrupted as a result of the incident. [66] In the meantime, the Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center has confirmed that a second missile that was intended for the tower made an unintentional strike on a memorial that was dedicated to the victims of the Babi Yar Massacre. [67] [68] [69] A Russian airstrike also hit an inhabited maternity clinic, causing damage to it in the process. [70] [71] Additional Russian artillery fire hit the areas of Rusanivka and Kurenivka, as well as Boyarka and Vyshneve in the outskirts, and the region close to Kyiv International Airport. [note 1] [72] [73]

On that day, Klitschko placed a ban on the sale of alcohol across the city of Kyiv while also making a plea to store owners and pharmacy chains to not "take advantage" of the situation by increasing the prices of "food, vital items, and medicines."

[74]

[the need for a better source]

Efforts made by Kyiv to encircle the city

The Ukrainian Air Force asserted that it had shot down two Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets early on the morning of March 2 when they were flying over Kyiv.

[26]

[75] Later on in the morning, Klitschko said that the Russian army was beginning to encircle the city in an effort to establish a blockade there. He said this was the plan.

[76] Klitschko stated on Channel 24 that tanks were moving towards Kyiv from Belarus and that Ukrainian authorities were reviewing checkpoints to ensure that they were ready.

[77] According to estimates provided by Margo Grosberg, chief of intelligence for the Estonian Defense Forces, the advancing Russian convoy is expected to reach in the outer suburbs of Kyiv in at least two days. After that, the Russians will attempt to lay siege to the capital. [78] Andrzej Duda, the current president of Poland, stated that Zelenskyy had informed him that Ukrainian forces would not withdraw from Kyiv. [79] An interview conducted in June with Ukrainian general Oleksandr Syrskyi revealed that Russian forces had attempted to storm Kyiv through its major highways. In response, Ukrainian forces established two rings of forces along the city; an outer circle in the suburbs, and an inner one in the downtown area of Kyiv. The objective was to keep Russian forces engaged in combat in the suburbs while simultaneously shielding the inner ring from the action that was taking place on the outer ring. [80]

On the evening of February 24, the city was subdivided into sectors, and generals were appointed to each sector. The generals in each sector reported directly to Syrskyi via a chain of command. One week prior to the invasion, all of Kyiv Oblast's aircraft capabilities were relocated to various places across the region. [80] On the other hand, there was only one tank brigade available to defend the capital, and that was the 72nd Mechanized Brigade. [80]

The debris from a Russian missile that was shot down by Ukrainian defenses fell on the Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station, where it caused significant damage to a heating pipeline. The explosion that followed caused the station to sustain some moderate damage. [81][82]

The New York Times reported on March 3 that they thought there were more than 15,000 people seeking shelter in the city's subway system.

[83] The Russian advance convoy had made "no apparent progress" heading forward over the course of the previous three days, according to a statement provided by the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom on the same day. [84]

A fresh barrage of shelling hit the central business district of Kyiv on March 4, including the neighborhood of Borshchahivka.

[85] According to the findings of an inquiry conducted by CNN, the strikes had caused damage to a commercial district as well as a number of multi-story buildings in the western regions of the city. [86]

On March 7, the government in Ukraine asserted that military forces in Ukraine had shot down two Russian planes.

[27] Later, Zelenskyy dispelled rumors that he had left the city and stated that he intends to remain in Kyiv. He said this in response to a question. [87]

The attempt to encircle Kyiv was ultimately fruitless and unsuccessful. Later, on March 22nd, Ukrainian forces successfully retook the suburb of Makariv, effectively putting an end to any prospective attempt to blockade the city. [88]

The Russian attack comes to a halt.

Metro station in Kyiv that has been transformed into a refuge

According to a report published by The Guardian on March 8th, Russian soldiers were attempting to solve the logistical issues that were preventing their offensive from moving forward.

[89]

The Russian military launched another round of shelling at the city the following morning. Later on that day, Russian and Ukrainian officials reached an agreement to create a temporary humanitarian corridor around Kyiv. As a direct consequence of this agreement, a large number of civilians were evacuated from the suburbs. [90]

Since the start of the battle, approximately two million people, or half of Kyiv's population, have evacuated the city, according to statements made by Klitschko on March 10th.

[31]

On March 12th, a Russian loitering munition known as Cube [ru] was shot down above the Podil area, which resulted in a fire breaking out in the building that houses the State Savings Bank of Ukraine.

[91]

[92] In the city's northwestern quadrant, on the street known as Synioozerna Street [uk], another fire broke out. [93]

A building that was destroyed on Bohatyrska Street on March 14

On the morning of March 14th, a Russian shell hit a residential building in Obolon that was located on Bohatyrska Street. The structure had nine stories. At least one person was murdered and at least 12 others were injured when the building was largely demolished. [94] [95] Another Russian rocket was successfully shot down over Kyiv, and debris from the rocket caused damage to a residential structure in Kurenivka that resulted in the death of one person. [96] Additionally, Russian soldiers launched three rockets into the Antonov Serial Production Plant, causing seven persons to sustain injuries. [97] [98]

In the meantime, city officials announced that they were storing enough food for two weeks' worth of consumption for those who had remained.

[99]

The explosion that occurred the previous night caused damage to the Lukianivska metro station. Later on in the morning, Russian soldiers shelled residential neighborhoods, setting many structures ablaze. These neighborhoods included Sviatoshynski, Podilskyi, and Osokorky. [100] [101] A shelling incident in Sviatoshynskyi resulted in the deaths of four individuals. [102] That same day, a delegation from the EU visited Kyiv and later spoke with Zelensky,[103] who pushed other leaders to follow suit and take similar actions. [104]

On March 17th, Zelensky paid a visit to a hospital in Kiev in order to speak with patients who had been injured during the evacuation of Kyiv Region.

[105]

On March 20, damage was done to a house in the Sviatoshynskyi District.

On March 20, a shopping center in Podilskyi was struck by a missile from Russia, which resulted in the deaths of at least eight people. The explosion caused by the missile also caused damage to surrounding structures, and it obliterated several vehicles. Officials from Russia stated that Ukrainian forces were using areas close to the shopping center to store munitions [106] [107]. They also provided drone footage of what the Ministry of Defense described as a Ukrainian Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) firing and moving back to the shopping center, prior to being destroyed by a Russian missile. [108][109] A residential neighborhood in Sviatoshynskyi was hit by missile debris that fell from the sky. Six homes and four schools were reportedly damaged, and approximately two hundred individuals were forced to abandon their homes. [107]

It was declared that there will be a curfew beginning at 21:00 local time on March 21 and continuing until 07:00 local time on March 23.

[110]

The counteroffensive by the Ukrainians and the retreat by the Russians