HOSTOMEL TRAP: the battle for the strategic airport near Kyiv in February 2022

On the day the Russian Federation began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the town of Hostomel with its Antonov airport became one of the first and main targets of Russian troops.

The first cruise missile hit Hostomel in the morning of Feb 24. A few hours later, an assault began on the airport and the military unit of the National Guard of Ukraine located in the city. Almost immediately, enemy air strikes hit the hangar where the world's largest airplane, the only one of its kind, the An-225 “Mriya”, was located. Russian unguided missiles also hit the An-124 “Ruslan”, which was located in a neighboring hangar.

The airport in Hostomel could accommodate large cargo planes. Therefore, the invaders planned to use it for the rapid movement of troops and equipment. And then there was a direct road to Kyiv. In addition to the National Guard, units of other military formations and special services of Ukraine participated in the defense of the airport. The Hostomel airport was stormed by Russian paratroopers in helicopters under the cover of Ka-52 combat helicopters, a Su-25 attack aircraft and a Su-24 bomber.

The core of the company-tactical group of the Guards consisted of conscripts – young but professionally trained, in the best traditions of the Hostomel Brigade. The Ukrainian defenders shot down six russian helicopters with fire from anti-aircraft guns and man-portable air defense systems. Among them were the "legendary" Ka-52s widely advertised on russian TV.

The Guardsmen, together with a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, used artillery to target the concentration of enemy troops landing from the surviving helicopters. They also launched a massive artillery attack on the airport runway. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the enemy planned to land at the Hostomel airport with equipment using IL-76 military transport aircraft. However, Ukrainian defenders of the airport prevented the plan from being realized.

#Hostomel #Airport #NGU

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