VDV ASSULT ON AIRPORT IN UKRAINE

Описание: Hostomel Airport and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine Conflict

Hostomel Airport, also known as Antonov Airport, is located about 10 km northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine. It was primarily used as a cargo and aircraft testing facility and was home to the world’s largest cargo plane, the An-225 Mriya. Due to its large runway and proximity to Kyiv, it held major strategic military value.

On February 24, 2022, during the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian airborne forces launched an assault on Hostomel Airport. Their goal was to capture the airfield quickly so they could fly in troops and equipment to seize Kyiv.

Although Russian troops initially landed and took parts of the airfield, Ukrainian forces launched a fierce counterattack. Heavy fighting broke out, and Ukraine was able to prevent Russia from using the airport as a staging ground. The airport was badly damaged in the battle, and the An-225 Mriya was destroyed.

This battle marked a key failure in Russia’s plan to rapidly take Kyiv. Russian forces were unable to hold the airport or open a reliable airbridge, and by early April 2022, they withdrew from the Kyiv region.