Battle of Antonov Airport
The Battle of Antonov Airport, also known as the battle of Hostomel Airport, was a military engagement which occurred at the Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast, during the Kyiv offensive of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
| Battle of Antonov Airport | |||||||||
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| Part of the Kyiv offensive and the Russian invasion of Ukraine | |||||||||
Russian paratroopers advancing over the airport | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Russia | Ukraine | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Ivan Boldyrev |
Oleksandr Vdovychenko Valeriy Chybineyev Mamuka Mamulashvili Vitaly Rudenko | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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Russian Armed Forces
National Guard of Russia
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National Guard of Ukraine
Security Service of Ukraine Irregular civilian volunteers (militia) | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
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First assault wave
Second assault wave
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
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Per Russia: None (second assault wave) Per Ukraine: 300 paratroopers killed Several helicopters shot down |
Per Russia: 200 killed Per Ukraine: Several Ukrainian National Guardsmen captured Antonov An-225 Mriya destroyed | ||||||||
On 24 February 2022, a few hours after the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a "special military operation" in Ukraine, Russian troops of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) made an air assault on Antonov Airport with the objective of capturing it. The airport held strategic value as it was located less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) outside of the capital Kyiv, which would allow Russian troops to airlift more troops and heavier equipment to directly threaten the city. However, the Ukrainian military responded with a counter-attack which encircled the unsupported Russian forces and repelled the initial assault. The attack resumed on the next day with another air assault by the VDV combined with a ground assault by armored reinforcements coming from the Belarusian border, breaking through the Ukrainian defenses. The airport was then captured by the Russian forces. Despite this, the unexpected Ukrainian resistance foiled the plans of a quick capitulation of Kyiv, and the airport was too damaged to be used as a functional airstrip. The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world's largest airplane, was destroyed in its hangar during the battle.
On 2 April, Ukraine restored control of the airport following the Russian withdrawal from Kyiv Oblast.