Roberta Aguirre
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in several airports being bombed. The Second Battle of Donetsk Airport, which took place between Ukrainian forces and Russian military and Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) proxy forces, resulted in heavy shelling and machine gun fire. Antonov Airport was also attacked by Russian helicopters, with Ukrainian forces mounting a defence. In addition, multiple airports in Ukraine, including Kyiv Boryspil, Nikolaev, Kramatorsk, and Kherson, were bombed by Russian forces. These attacks have led to significant disruptions and casualties, with ongoing clashes between the two nations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Antonov Airport |
| Location | Hostomel |
| Date | 26 February 2022 |
| Attackers | Russian Forces |
| Defenders | Ukrainian Forces |
| Outcome | Russian Victory |
| Casualties | Casualties for both sides may number in the hundreds. |
| Aftermath | The airport remained under Russian control as of 27 February 2022. |
| Characteristics | Values |
| --- | --- |
| Airport Name | Donetsk Airport |
| Location | Donetsk City |
| Date | 28 September 2014 |
| Attackers | Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Forces |
| Defenders | Ukrainian Forces |
| Outcome | DPR Victory |
| Casualties | Remaining Ukrainian forces were either killed, forced to retreat, or captured by DPR forces. |
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What You'll Learn
Antonov Airport was bombarded by Russian helicopters
On 24 February 2022, President Putin announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine. Between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m., four Kalibr missiles targeted Antonov Airport and the nearby National Guard base, although they did not cause significant damage. Around 20 to 34 Russian helicopters arrived at the airport in an attempt to secure it and create an airbridge for troops and equipment. The Russian helicopters approached from the Dnieper River and were immediately attacked by Ukrainian small arms fire and MANPADS. The helicopters countered by deploying flares and were supported by Ka-52 and Mi-24 attack helicopters.
Despite the initial attack, the rocket bombardment by Russian helicopters failed to significantly weaken the Ukrainian defenses around the airport. The Ukrainian defenders, numbering around 200-300, were not well-equipped, and many were draftees who had never seen combat. However, one national guardsman, Serhiy Falatyuk, shot down a Russian helicopter with a 9K38 Igla, boosting the spirits of the conscripts. The Russians were able to secure the airport, capturing the group of soldiers at the northern ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun.
The Ukrainian military was taken by surprise by the speed of the Russian attack, despite warnings from the CIA and Kireyev. The Russians then prepared for the arrival of Ilyushin Il-76 strategic airlifters carrying fresh troops from Russia. The Ukrainian forces continued to engage the Russians in Hostomel, bombarding the airport with artillery and claiming to have destroyed Russian equipment, vehicles, and personnel. As of 27 February 2022, the airport remained under Russian control, although clashes began to shift to the towns of Bucha and Irpin to the south.
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Russian paratroopers captured the airport's anti-aircraft gun
The Battle of Antonov Airport, also known as Hostomel Airport, was a pivotal engagement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian paratroopers played a significant role in this battle, which ultimately led to the capture of the airport's anti-aircraft gun and the airport itself.
The Russian attack on Antonov Airport commenced with a helicopter formation originating from VD Bolshoy Bokov Airport in Belarus. The helicopters, carrying 200-300 Russian airborne troops, approached the airport from the Dnieper River at low altitude, taking advantage of the cover provided by the river's terrain. Despite facing immediate resistance from Ukrainian small arms fire and MANPADS, the Russian helicopters countered with flares and continued their advance.
As the Russian formation neared Hostomel, thick cloud cover concealed their approach, allowing them to take the Ukrainian garrison by surprise. Upon arrival, the Russian helicopters launched rockets, destroying some Ukrainian air defenses. Despite this initial attack, Ukrainian defenses around the airport remained resilient. The Ukrainian garrison, consisting of approximately 300 defenders, put up a valiant fight, even though they were inadequately equipped and included draftees with no prior combat experience.
During the intense battle, the Russian paratroopers demonstrated their prowess by landing on three fronts simultaneously and maneuvering skillfully in unfamiliar terrain. They managed to capture the group of soldiers manning the northern ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, which was vital to securing the airport. Despite suffering significant losses, none of the National Guard defenders were killed in the initial clash, and they were forced to retreat due to a lack of ammunition.
The capture of the anti-aircraft gun enabled the Russians to secure the airport perimeter and prepare for the arrival of additional troops and strategic airlifters. Despite their success, the Russian paratroopers continued to face resistance from local armed civilians and Ukrainian forces, who bombarded the airport with heavy artillery. The battle of Antonov Airport highlighted the determination and resilience of both sides, with Russian forces ultimately achieving a strategic victory by capturing and securing the airport.
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Ukrainian forces bombarded the airport with artillery
The Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, was bombarded by Ukrainian forces with artillery fire on 27 February 2022. This was in response to an earlier attack by Russian forces, who had taken control of the airport. The Russians had approached the airport with helicopters, which were met with Ukrainian small arms fire and MANPADS. Despite this, the Russians managed to capture the airport, with Ukrainian forces claiming that an airport employee had been hired by Russian intelligence to reveal their positions.
The Ukrainian defenders, consisting of around 300 troops, were poorly equipped, and many were draftees who had never experienced combat. They could only put up limited resistance, although one national guardsman, Serhiy Falatyuk, notably shot down a Russian helicopter, boosting the morale of the conscripts. The Russians secured the airport, and paratroopers prepared for the arrival of more troops from Russia.
Despite losing the airport, Ukrainian forces continued to engage the Russians in Hostomel. They bombarded Russian forces occupying the airport, claiming to have destroyed equipment, vehicles, and personnel. The Russians began repairing the airport, using it as a forward operating base. Ukrainian forces also intercepted a conversation among Russian forces in Hostomel, in which they reported casualties and requested evacuation.
The Battle of Antonov Airport was not an isolated incident, as Russia bombed several airports in Ukraine, including Kyiv Boryspil, Nikolaev, Kramatorsk, and Kherson. The Second Battle of Donetsk Airport also took place, involving heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces, with the airport providing a convenient vantage point for Ukrainian artillery fire.
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Russian forces used the airport as a forward operating base
The Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, was bombed by Russian forces in February 2022. Russian helicopters approached the airport, and the airport garrison discovered them upon hearing their rotor blades. The Russian forces attacked the airport with rockets, destroying some Ukrainian air defences. Despite this, Ukrainian defenders put up resistance, and one national guardsman, Serhiy Falatyuk, shot down a Russian helicopter.
Russian paratroopers suffered significant losses in the initial clash, but none of the National Guard defenders were killed. The Russians captured the group of soldiers at the northern ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, allowing them to secure the airport. The Ukrainian military was taken by surprise by the speed of the Russian attack, and the Russians prepared for the arrival of 18 Ilyushin Il-76 strategic airlifters carrying fresh troops from Russia.
Even after the loss of the airport, Ukrainian forces continued to engage the Russian forces in Hostomel. Ukrainian Mi-24s fired rockets at Russian positions, and a Ukrainian Alpha Group unit destroyed a column of Russian armoured vehicles near Hostomel. As of 27 February 2022, the airport remained under Russian control, serving as a forward operating base, housing equipment and troops. Clashes then shifted to the towns of Bucha and Irpin to the south, where Ukrainian forces claimed to have halted Russian advances.
The Russians' use of the airport as a forward operating base was short-lived, as Ukrainian forces continued to resist and engage them in the surrounding area. The airport was partially repaired in the following weeks but was not used as an airstrip. The Ukrainian forces' resilience and ability to adapt to changing circumstances demonstrated their determination and effective tactics in the face of adversity.
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Donetsk Airport was a key vantage point for Ukrainian forces
The Second Battle of Donetsk Airport was a conflict between the Ukrainian military and the Russian military and its proxy forces of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) during the War in Donbas. Donetsk International Airport was a key vantage point for Ukrainian forces, providing them with a strategic position to target DPR positions in Donetsk with artillery fire. The airport was located just north of Donetsk, the largest city in the east, and served as the last part of the city held by Ukrainian government forces.
The battle for the airport began in late September 2014, following the signing of the Minsk Protocol ceasefire agreement on September 5. Despite the ceasefire, minor skirmishes between DPR and Ukrainian forces continued at the airport, with shelling and machine gun fire reported in the vicinity. On September 28, nine Ukrainian soldiers were killed and twenty-seven were wounded in a clash with DPR forces, marking the worst incident since the start of the ceasefire.
DPR forces launched a barrage of Grad rocket fire on the airport, responding to government mortar fire that had fallen on Donetsk city. They utilized positions in neighbouring residential buildings to direct artillery fire, striking a school and bus stop in the Kyivskiy district of Donetsk and resulting in the deaths of ten civilians. Ukrainian forces also fired from the airport, hitting residential areas.
Throughout the battle, Ukrainian forces maintained control of the strategic air traffic control tower, using it to observe insurgent ground movements. Heavy fighting continued into January 2015, with DPR forces overrunning Ukrainian positions on January 21. The remaining Ukrainian forces were either killed, forced to retreat, or captured.
The battle for Donetsk Airport was a significant engagement in the Ukraine crisis, symbolizing the country's determination to defend its territory. The airport held a strategic value for both sides due to its convenient vantage point, contributing to its status as one of the first hotspots in the Ukrainian conflict.
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Frequently asked questions
Multiple airports in Ukraine have been bombed, including Kyiv Boryspil, Nikolaev, Kramatorsk, Kherson, and Kharkiv military airport.
The Second Battle of Donetsk Airport.
The Ukrainian military and Russian military and its proxy forces of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
The battle began on 28 September 2014, with heavy fighting continuing into the new year and some of the worst fighting taking place in January 2015.
Yes, the Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, was bombed by Russian helicopters.
