View source for Battle of Hostomel

{{Short description|Battle during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
{{Not to be confused with|Battle of Antonov Airport}}{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Hostomel
| partof            = the [[Kyiv offensive (2022)|Kyiv offensive]] and the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
| image             = File:Battle of Hostomel, 04.03.2022, Skirmish Aftermath (cropped).jpg
| image_size        = 300px
| caption           = Russian casualties and damaged armoured vehicles in the aftermath of the battle on 4 March in Hostomel
| date              = 25 February – 1 April 2022<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=2|day1=25|year1=2022|month2=4|day2=1|year2=2022}})
| place             = [[Hostomel]], [[Kyiv Oblast]], [[Ukraine]]
| coordinates       = 
| status            = 
| result            = Ukrainian victory
| combatant1        = {{flag|Russia}}
* {{flag|Chechnya}}
| combatant2        = {{flag|Ukraine}}
| commander1        = 
| commander2        = 
| units1            = {{armed forces|Russia}}
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the Russian Federation Ground Forces.svg}} [[Russian Ground Forces]]
**[[File:Sleeve patch of the 41st Combined Arms Army.svg|20px]][[41st Combined Arms Army]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Russian_Airborne_Troops.svg}} [[Russian Airborne Forces]]
**[[File:Sleeve patch of the 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade.svg|20px]] [[31st Guards Air Assault Brigade]]<ref name=":6" />
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Russian Air Force.svg}} [[Russian Air Force]]
* {{flagicon image|Flag of National Guard of the Russian Federation.svg}} [[National Guard of Russia]]
* [[File:Great emblem of the 141st Motorized Regiment.svg|20px]][[Kadyrovites]]
| units2            = {{armed forces|Ukraine}}
* {{army|Ukraine}}
**[[File:72_ОМБр.svg|20px]] [[72nd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|72nd Mechanized Brigade]]
*[[File:Georgia National Legion Ukr.png|20px]] [[Georgian Legion (Ukraine)|Georgian Legion]]<ref name="Blatchford">{{cite news |title=Band of others: Ukraine's legions of foreign soldiers are on the frontline |author=Andy Blatchford |website=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/24/ukraine-legion-foreign-soldiers-00020233 |date=24 March 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Ukrainian_Air_Assault_Forces.svg}} [[Ukrainian Air Assault Forces|Air Assault Forces]]
**[[File:80_ОДШБр_к.svg|20px]] [[80th Air Assault Brigade (Ukraine)|80th Air Assault Brigade]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine.svg}} [[Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)|Special Operations Forces]]
**[[File:3rd Special Purpose Regiment (Ukraine).svg|20px]] [[3rd Separate Special Purpose Regiment (Ukraine)|3rd Separate Special Purpose Regiment]]<ref name=":6" />
*[[File:Territorial Defence Forces branch SSI.svg|20px]] [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]]
{{flagicon image|Ensign of the National Guard of Ukraine.svg}} [[National Guard of Ukraine]]<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Security Service of Ukraine.svg}} [[Security Service of Ukraine]]
*[[File:Нарукавний_знак_ЦСО_СБУ.png|20px]] [[Alpha Group (Ukraine)|Alpha Group (SBU)]]
[[File:Emblem of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.svg|20px]] [[Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine|HUR MOU]]<ref name=":6" /><br>
{{flagdeco|Ukraine}} [[Ukrainian resistance during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Irregular civilian volunteers (militia)]]<ref name=":6" />
*Ukrainian guerrillas<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fakty.ua/ru/400620-rebyata-sugubo-grazhdanskie-chut-li-ne-vo-vremya-boya-guglili-kak-polzovatsya-oruzhiem-rasskaz-uchastnika-partizanskogo-dvizheniya|title="Ребята, сугубо гражданские, чуть ли не во время боя гуглили, как пользоваться оружием": рассказ участника партизанского движения|website=fakty.ua|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229130749/https://fakty.ua/ru/400620-rebyata-sugubo-grazhdanskie-chut-li-ne-vo-vremya-boya-guglili-kak-polzovatsya-oruzhiem-rasskaz-uchastnika-partizanskogo-dvizheniya|archive-date= December 29, 2022|date= May 3, 2022}}</ref>
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
}}
The '''battle of Hostomel''' was the first major battle in the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Plokhy |first=Serhii |title=The Russo-Ukrainian war: the return of history |date=2023 |publisher=WW Norton |isbn=978-1-324-05119-0 |location=New York, NY |pages=159}}</ref> fought for control over the town of [[Hostomel]] between the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces. As part of the [[Kyiv offensive (2022)|Kyiv offensive]], the Russian forces sought control over Hostomel, [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]] and [[Irpin]] in order to encircle and besiege the Ukrainian capital city [[Kyiv]] from the west.<ref name="Islamic World News">{{Cite news |date=27 February 2022 |title=Latest Military Situation in Ukraine, 27 February 2022 (Map Update) |work=Islamic World News |url=https://english.iswnews.com/22910/latest-military-situation-in-ukraine-27-february-2022-map-update/ |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="Critical Threats">{{Cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Mason |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine Warning Update: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 27, 2022 |work=Critical Threats |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-warning-update-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-27-2022 |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> Due to the intensity of the Kyiv offensive, the [[Kyiv Oblast State Administration]] named Hostomel, along with Irpin, Bucha, [[Highway M06 (Ukraine)|Highway M06]], and [[Vyshhorod]] as the most dangerous places in [[Kyiv Oblast]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 2022 |title=Буча, Ірпінь, Гостомель: Кулеба назвав найнебезпечніші місця Київської області |work=Depo Kyiv |url=https://kyiv.depo.ua/ukr/kyiv/bucha-irpin-gostomel-kuleba-nazvav-naynebezpechnishi-mistsya-kiivskoi-oblasti-202203021430817 |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref>

The Russian plans had been to quickly advance on and attack Kyiv, which would have disrupted command and control by the Ukrainian government. Forces sent were insufficient to capture such a large city unless there was a political collapse. While the Russians were able to capture the airport, they were unable to use it to establish an [[Airbridge (logistics)|airbridge]]. The fighting in and around Hostomel has been described as a decisive moment in the early stages of the invasion. It prevented the Russians from quickly taking control of Ukraine. Having failed to achieve their operational objective, Russian forces not only withdrew from Hostomel but from all of Kyiv Oblast at the start of April during the peace negotiations which Putin claimed was as gesture. <ref name = ColKof>{{cite web|title=The Battle of Hostomel Airport: A Key Moment in Russia’s Defeat in Kyiv|url=https://warontherocks.com/2023/08/the-battle-of-hostomel-airport-a-key-moment-in-russias-defeat-in-kyiv/|first1=Liam|last1=Collins|first2=Michael|last2=Kofman|first3=John|last3=Spencer|date=10 August 2023|access-date=10 August 2023|website=War on the Rocks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The battle for Kyiv revisited: the litany of mistakes that cost Russia a quick win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/28/the-battle-for-kyiv-revisited-the-litany-of-mistakes-that-cost-russia-a-quick-win|date=28 December 2022|access-date=12 August 2023|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=One year later: How Russia came to fail in Ukraine, battle after battle|url=https://kyivindependent.com/one-year-later-how-russia-came-to-a-fail-in-ukraine-battle-after-battle/|date=20 February 2023|access-date=12 August 2023|website=Kyiv Independent}}</ref>

== Prelude ==
{{Main|Battle of Antonov Airport}}
On 24 February 2022, Russian airborne forces arrived via helicopters and battled Ukrainian forces for control of the [[Hostomel Airport]]. Ukrainian forces initially evicted the Russian airborne troops from the airport, but were soon engaged by Russian reinforcements. On 25 February 2022, the Russian forces re-captured the Hostomel Airport from the Ukrainians. As a result, the battle shifted from the airport to the nearby town as the Russian forces began to establish a foothold in Hostomel and press their advance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |date=25 February 2022 |title=Pictures: In Battle For Hostomel, Ukraine Drove Back Russia's Attack Helicopters And Elite Paratroopers |work=19FortyFive |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/02/pictures-in-battle-for-hostomel-ukraine-drove-back-russias-attack-helicopters-and-elite-paratroopers/ |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=ТИЩЕНКО |first=КАТЕРИНА |date=25 February 2022 |title=В районе Гостомеля, Ворзеля и Бучи идут бои – Арестович |work=Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/02/25/7325699/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

== Battle ==
[[File:Antonov Airport after Russian invasion of Ukraine and Mriya.jpg|thumb|Remains of the [[Antonov An-225]] cargo plane]]

=== 25–28 February 2022 ===

[[File:Battle of Hostomel, 04.03.2021, Stuck Russian BMD-4.jpg|thumb|left|Russian [[BMD-4]] amphibious fighting vehicle stuck on a concrete barrier]]
Following the battle of the airport, Ukrainian and Russian ground forces began to engage each other in and around Hostomel later.<ref name=":1" /> Videos posted on social media showed a Russian tank column burning in the outskirts of the town and Ukrainian [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24s]] firing rockets at Russian positions over a residential area.<ref name=":0" /> [[Kadyrovites]] were reported to have moved into the outskirts of the town or into the airport in preparations to [[Assassination attempts on Volodymyr Zelenskyy|assassinate the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]. The [[Security Service of Ukraine]] reported that the Kadyrovites convoy consisted of over 250 pieces of equipment and more than 1,500 of the "best fighters of the [[Chechen republic|Chechen Republic]]". Ukrainian intelligence stated they received these reports from elements of the [[FSB (Russia)|FSB]] who oppose the invasion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Рагуцкая |first=Лилия |date=1 March 2022 |title=Кадыровцев, которые ехали напасть на Зеленского, уничтожили, – детали разведки |work=Obozrevatel |url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/society/kadyirovtsev-kotoryie-ehali-napast-na-zelenskogo-unichtozhili-danilov.htm |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=1 March 2022 |title=ЗСУ знищили кадирівців, що планували вбити Зеленського – розвідка |work=Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/1/7327224/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

On 26 February 2022, acting on the earlier intelligence report, Ukrainian forces intercepted and destroyed a Chechen strike group tasked with assassinating President Zelenskyy. Elsewhere, Ukrainian UAVs spotted two locations near Hostomel where the Chechen fighters were assembling. The Ukrainian National Guard and [[Alpha Group (Ukraine)|Alpha Group]] later attacked those locations, destroying a column of Russian armored vehicles in the process. The Ukrainians claimed to have destroyed 56 tanks in the convoy and to have killed hundreds of Chechen fighters in these attacks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukrainian-forces-destroy-convoy-of-56-chechen-tanks-kill-general-near-kyiv-report/ | title=Ukrainian forces destroy convoy of 56 Chechen tanks, kill general near Kyiv – report | website=[[The Times of Israel]] }}</ref> Also, according to Ukrainian officials, [[Magomed Tushayev]], a [[Chechens|Chechen]] [[Lieutenant Colonel]] and head of the [[Kadyrovites|141st Motorized Regiment]] of the [[National Guard of Russia]], was killed during the attack.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Під Гостомелем розгромили колону російського спецназу: це були "кадировці" |work=24tv |url=https://24tv.ua/pid-gostomelem-rozgromili-kolonu-rosiyskogo-spetsnazu-tse-buli_n1881170 |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinthal |first=Benjamin |date=1 March 2022 |title=Pro-Putin Chechen general who led 'gay purge' killed in Ukraine |work=The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-699032 |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=РОЩІНА |first=ОЛЕНА |date=27 February 2022 |title=Біля Гостомеля розгромили спецпідрозділ чеченців – ЗМІ |work=Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/27/7326348/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> Ukrainian forces reported that the Kadyrovites sustained heavy casualties as a result of these attacks.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
By 28 February 2022, the Ukrainians had reported that several hundred Chechen fighters had died in Hostomel so far.<ref>[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3434688-after-losing-hundreds-of-fighters-kadyrovs-chechen-forces-return-home-from-ukraine-media.html After losing hundreds of fighters, Kadyrov’s Chechen forces return home from Ukraine - media]</ref>

=== 1–5 March 2022 ===

[[File:Battle of Hostomel, 04.03.2021, Damaged Russian BMD-2.jpg|thumb|left|Russian dead lying on top of an incapacitated [[BMD-2]] airborne fighting vehicle]]
[[File:Battle of Hostomel, 04.03.2022, Damaged Russian BTR-MD.jpg|thumb|right|Damaged Russian [[BMD-3|BTR-MD]] airborne fighting vehicle]]

Residents of Hostomel reported constant shelling and airstrikes by Russian forces had deprived them of water, food, electricity, and medicine. The constant bombardment also prevented the residents from receiving humanitarian aid, evacuating from the town, or even removing corpses from the street. Kadyrovites were reported operating closer to the Hostomel Airport and were robbing residents, while Russian soldiers were pressing their advance into Hostomel. Eyewitnesses reported Russian soldiers firing on an ambulance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Пнин |first=Тимофей |date=2 March 2022 |title="На улицах трупы не первый день лежат". Как выживают в Гостомеле, где бои идут уже неделю |work=zona.media |url=https://zona.media/article/2022/03/02/hostomel |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

On 3 March 2022, Ukrainian forces engaged Russian forces in [[urban combat]] inside Hostomel.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Паскевич |first=Анна |date=4 March 2022 |title=Уничтожена техника РФ и много убитых: появилось видео жесткой "ответки" оккупантам в Гостомеле |work=Obozrevatel |url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/politics/unichtozhena-tehnika-rf-i-mnogo-ubityih-poyavilos-video-zhestkoj-otvetki-okkupantam-v-gostomele.htm |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Гостомель після бою завалено тілами російських військових |work=Мілітарний |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/gostomel-pislya-boyu-zavaleno-tilamy-rosijskyh-vijskovyh/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> The [[Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine]] (GUR MO) reported that special forces under their command and local resistance had destroyed 20 Russian BMDs (likely [[BMD-2]] and/or [[BMD-4]]) in Hostomel. Ten of the BMDs were destroyed at 18:30 (6:30&nbsp;p.m.) near the town's glass factory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Гостомель. Спецназ ГУР уничтожил 20 боевых машин российского десанта, идет бой – видео |work=news.liga.net |url=https://news.liga.net/kiev/news/gostomel-spetsnaz-gur-unichtojil-10-boevyh-mashin-rossiyskogo-desanta-idet-boy-video |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Бойко |first=Иван |date=3 March 2022 |title=Бой за Гостомель: уничтожены 20 боевых машин десанта врага |work=Unian |url=https://www.unian.net/war/boy-za-gostomel-unichtozheny-20-boevyh-mashin-desanta-vraga-novosti-kieva-11727985.html |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Украинский спецназ под Киевом раздолбал колонну оккупантов: уничтожены 10 БМП, фото |work=Apostrophe |url=https://apostrophe.ua/news/kyiv/2022-03-03/ukrainskiy-spetsnaz-pod-kievom-razdolbal-kolonnu-okkupantov-unichtojenyi-10-bmp-foto/261291 |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=В Гостомеле спецназ ГУР уничтожил 20 вражеских БМД |work=focus.ua |url=https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/508415-v-gostomele-specnaz-gur-unichtozhil-20-vrazheskih-bmd |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ВИНОГРАДОВА |first=УЛЬЯНА |date=3 March 2022 |title=Спецназ ГУР в Гостомеле уничтожил 20 вражеских БМД |work=Korrespondent |url=https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4453916-spetsnaz-hur-v-hostomele-unychtozhyl-20-vrazheskykh-bmd |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> The Russian forces were ultimately repelled from the town. A video published on social media depicting the aftermath of the urban battle showed destroyed and abandoned Russian vehicles and dead Russian soldiers sprawled across the streets.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> A Ukrainian sniper killed [[Major general]] [[Andrei Sukhovetsky]] either in Hostomel or at the Hostomel Airport. He was the deputy commander of the [[41st Combined Arms Army]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demerly |first=Tom |date=4 March 2022 |title=Reports: Russian Airborne Forces Commander Killed by Sniper in Hostomel |work=The Aviationist |url=https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/04/general-andrey-sukhovetsky-killed/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wiehe |first=Noelle |date=4 March 2022 |title=Russian general killed in Ukraine fighting, Putin confirms |work=Coffee Or Die |url=https://coffeeordie.com/russian-general-killed/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

On 4 March 2022, Ukrainian forces engaged Russian forces in the streets a second time, reportedly destroying a BMD and bombarding Russian forces with [[BM-21 Grad]] rockets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title="Заканчиваем оптимистично": у Зеленского подвели итоги 8-го дня войны с РФ |work=charter97 |url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2022/3/4/457432/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> Elsewhere in Hostomel, Ukrainian soldiers defeated a unit of Kadyrovites, seizing their weapons, equipment, and armored vehicle.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Рагуцкая |first=Лилия |date=4 March 2022 |title="Кадыровцы уснули": в Гостомеле ликвидировали российских оккупантов. Фото |work=Obozrevatel |url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/society/kadyirovtsyi-usnuli-v-gostomele-likvidirovali-rossijskih-okkupantov-foto.htm |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> Ukrainian forces later reported to have regained control of Hostomel from the Russian forces. Ukrainian intelligence reported that the Russian [[31st Guards Air Assault Brigade]] suffered at least 50 dead from the battles in Hostomel. Special forces under the GUR MO, the [[Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)#Structure|3rd Special Purpose Regiment]], and local resistance fighters were reported to have taken part in the battle. Russian weapons, equipment, and staff and personal documents were seized by the Ukrainian military, with any usable weapons being redistributed to the local resistance. The GUR MO reported that the deceased Russian soldiers did not possess any identification documents; only vaccination certifications and blank medical books.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date= 4 March 2022 |title=ЗСУ взяли під контроль Гостомель – розвідка |work= Ukrinform |url= https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3420412-zsu-vzali-pid-kontrol-gostomel-rozvidka.html |access-date=19 March 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011060129/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3420412-zsu-vzali-pid-kontrol-gostomel-rozvidka.html|archive-date=October 11, 2022}}</ref> On the same day, Ukrainian forces reported that Major [[Valeriy Chybineyev]] was killed near the Hostomel Airport.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Fights for Gostomel – Valery Chibineev died defending Ukraine from Russian occupiers |work=Juan News |url= https://jaunenglish.com/2022/03/04/fights-for-gostomel-valery-chibineev-died-defending-ukraine-from-russian-occupiers/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> Russian forces, reportedly the 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade, later returned into Hostomel and occupied a residential complex, taking 40 or more residents hostage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Макогон |first=Христина |date=5 March 2022 |title=У Гостомелі росіяни захопили в заручники 40 людей, – Цаплієнко (ФОТО) |work=Depo Kyiv |url=https://kyiv.depo.ua/ukr/kyiv/okupanti-povernulisya-u-gostomel-i-zakhopili-v-zaruchniki-40-lyudey-foto-202203051431591 |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=КИЗИЛОВА |first=СВЕТЛАНА |date=4 March 2022 |title=Гостомель: враги взяли в заложники десятки мирных людей – журналист |work=Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/03/4/7328304/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Гостомель снова под оккупантами. Они взяли в плен людей |work=Gazeta |url=https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/regions/_gostomel-snova-pod-okkupantami-oni-vzyali-v-plen-lyudej/1073915 |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Vinichenko recounted being held captive by Russian forces beginning on 4 March in an apartment basement with 60 others, while 90 were held in a neighboring building. The soldiers confiscated phones, looted apartments, and spread [[Psychological warfare|false information]] about the war. Residents could only leave the basement to smoke or collect water. On March 10, the soldiers announced plans to move the residents to Belarus. Vinichenko and his girlfriend escaped when a motorist picked them up, with three Russian soldiers observing but not intervening.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Тюпка |first=Ярослава |date=17 March 2022 |title=Неделя в подвале под дулами оккупантов: история пленного ведущего Апостроф TV, которому удалось вырваться из лап россиян |work=apostrophe.ua |url=https://apostrophe.ua/article/society/accidents/2022-03-17/nedelya-v-podvale-pod-dulami-okkupantov-istoriya-plennogo-veduschego-apostrof-tv-kotoromu-udalos-vyirvatsya-iz-lap-rossiyan/44891 |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>

On 5 March 2022, Russian forces captured Hostomel and prevented civilians from evacuating the town.<ref name="capture">{{Cite web|url= https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-06-22/h_ac4b867234259d19cf7d7f5bd64f344c |title=Heavy shelling is heard west and northwest of Kyiv, as two children are reported dead|date=March 6, 2022|website= CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Демяник |first=Дарія |date=6 March 2022 |title=Оккупант захватил Бучу и Гостомель, есть раненые и умершие дети |work=Glavcom |url= https://glavcom.ua/ru/news/okkupant-zahvatil-buchu-i-gostomel-est-ranenye-i-umershie-deti-827359.html |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2022 |title=Ворог контролює Бучу, Ворзель і Гостомель: у МВС заявляють про критичну ситуацію в містах |work= Ukrinform |url= https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3422857-vorog-kontrolue-bucu-vorzel-i-gostomel-u-mvs-zaavlaut-pro-kriticnu-situaciu-v-mistah.html |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

== Ukrainian resistance ==
On 7 March 2022, the mayor of Hostomel, [[Yuriy Prylypko]], along with several other volunteers, were killed by Russian troops while distributing food and medicine to residents.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2022 |title=Кличко розповів про бої навколо Києва і прокоментував вбивство голови Гостомеля |work=Radiosvoboda |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-klychko-boi-navkolo-kyieva/31740142.html |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> His body was reportedly [[Booby-trapped|booby trapped]] by Russian forces. When the local priest came to pick up his body, a sympathetic Russian soldier stopped the priest from getting close, disarmed the trap, and helped load the mayor's body onto a wheelbarrow to be transported away. Yuriy was buried near the local church with honors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2022 |title=Российские военные минировали тело убитого сельского головы Гостомеля, — СМИ |work=focus.ua |url=https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/509000-rossiyskie-voennye-minirovali-telo-ubitogo-selskogo-golovy-gostomelya-smi |access-date=19 March 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228171709/https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/509000-rossiyskie-voennye-minirovali-telo-ubitogo-selskogo-golovy-gostomelya-smi|archive-date=December 28, 2022}}</ref> At some point, Ukrainian forces recaptured some parts of Hostomel. Russian forces responded by deploying two [[Battalion tactical group]]s to Hostomel in preparations for an offensive.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2022 |title=Оккупанты готовятся к наступлению на Вышгород, Гостомель, Ирпень, Сумы и Запорожье, – оперативная информация Генштаба ВСУ по российскому вторжению на 12:00 7 марта |work=Censor.net |url=https://censor.net/ru/news/3322442/okkupanty_gotovyatsya_k_nastupleniyu_na_vyshgorod_gostomel_irpen_sumy_i_zaporoje_operativnaya_informatsiya |access-date=19 March 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521010130/https://censor.net/ru/news/3322442/okkupanty_gotovyatsya_k_nastupleniyu_na_vyshgorod_gostomel_irpen_sumy_i_zaporoje_operativnaya_informatsiya|archive-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref>

On 8 March 2022, Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian night offensive in Hostomel. It was announced that Ukrainian forces were preparing a large-scale evacuation and humanitarian aid delivery for the residents of Hostomel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Кулебы |first=Алексея |date=8 March 2022 |title=За Макаров, Ирпень и Гостомель всю ночь шли бои |work=24tv |url=https://24tv.ua/kyivnews/ru/za-makarov-irpen-gostomel-vsju-noch-shli-boi_n1896203 |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> The next day, Ukrainian forces conducted a large-scale evacuation across [[Kyiv Oblast]], including in Hostomel. Up to 20,000 civilians were evacuated in the Kyiv Oblast. The evacuation continued into the next day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2022 |title=До 20 тысяч человек были эвакуированы из Бучи, Ирпеня, Гостомеля, Ворзеля и других городов Киевской области |work=TCH |url=https://kyiv.tsn.ua/ru/do-20-tysyach-chelovek-byli-evakuirovany-iz-gorodov-bucha-irpen-gostomel-vorzel-i-drugih-kievskoy-oblasti-2005174.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310171104/https://kyiv.tsn.ua/ru/do-20-tysyach-chelovek-byli-evakuirovany-iz-gorodov-bucha-irpen-gostomel-vorzel-i-drugih-kievskoy-oblasti-2005174.html |archive-date=10 March 2022}}</ref>

On 11 March 2022, residents reported that Russian forces controlled most of Hostomel, making it extremely difficult for civilians to evacuate from the town or receive humanitarian aid. Russian military equipment were moved to the town center and residential areas, while Russian supplies were being delivered via helicopters. Eyewitnesses also reported Kadyrovites roaming around Hostomel and executing civilians for trivial reasons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Андрій Гарасим |first=Андрій Гарасим |date=11 March 2022 |title=Гостомель: 15 днів під обстрілами, без світла і води. Багато російської техніки, з боку Білорусі постійно чути гудіння вертольотів |work=texty.org.ua |url=https://texty.org.ua/articles/105934/gostomel-koly-cholovik-vidmovyvsya-daty-okupantam-yisty-joho-zastrelyly/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> Still, buses were able to successfully evacuate from the town on 12 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 March 2022 |title=Сумы, Буча, Гостомель: в Украине 12 марта идет эвакуация мирных жителей. ВИДЕО |work=Censor.net |url=https://censor.net/ru/video_news/3324347/sumy_bucha_gostomel_v_ukraine_12_marta_idet_evakuatsiya_mirnyh_jiteleyi_video |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

On 13 March 2022, Ukrainian forces attacked Russian forces attempting to cross a river outside Hostomel using a [[pontoon bridge]]. The bridge and several Russian vehicles were destroyed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2022 |title="Козаки їх трохи підсмажили": в районі Гостомеля російські війська спробували звести понтонний міст |work=TCH |url=https://kyiv.tsn.ua/kozaki-yih-trohi-pidsmazhili-v-rayoni-gostomelya-rosiyski-viyska-sprobuvali-zvesti-pontonniy-mist-2008171.html |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2022 |title=Ukraine Army destroys Russian pontoon bridge near Hostomel |work=Ukrinform |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3428564-ukraine-army-destroys-russian-pontoon-bridge-near-hostomel.html |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

On 14 March 2022, [[Ramzan Kadyrov]], head of the Chechen Republic, claimed to have entered Hostomel. The claim could not be verified at the time of announcement but was met with doubt due to his announcement being broadcast by Russian state medias. Presidential advisor [[Oleksiy Arestovych]] also doubted Kadyrov's claim due to information of Kadyrov being seen in [[Grozny]] the day before his announcement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=КАЛАТУР |first=АНАСТАСИЯ |date=14 March 2022 |title=Кадыров: Был в Гостомеле, а сейчас я еще ближе к Киеву |work=Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/03/14/7331142/ |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> During the day, two civilian evacuations were carried in Hostomel. The first column of 10 buses successfully evacuated mothers, children, the elderly, and the disabled out of Hostomel. The second column of four buses were shelled by Russian [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]]. One woman was killed and two men were injured from the attack.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title=Russian invaders shell civilians evacuating from Hostomel, one woman killed |work=Ukrinform |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3429778-russian-invaders-shell-civilians-evacuating-from-hostomel-one-woman-killed.html |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ГЛУЩЕНКО |first=ОЛЬГА |date=15 March 2022 |title=Ворог обстріляв евакуаційну колону з Гостомеля, загинула жінка |work=Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/15/7331447/ |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>

On 16 March 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a series of [[counter-offensive]]s against Russian forces around Kyiv, including some villages near Hostomel. According to Andriy Nebitov, the head of the Kyiv region police, Ukrainian forces were able to break through Russian positions after conducting artillery strikes. He further claimed the counterattack disrupted the Russian forces' plan to attack Kyiv directly.<ref name="wsj">{{Cite news |author1=Alan Cullison |author2=Isabel Coles |author3=Yaroslav Trofimov |date=16 March 2022 |title=Ukraine Mounts Counteroffensive to Drive Russians Back From Kyiv, Key Cities |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-mounts-counteroffensive-to-drive-russians-back-from-kyiv-key-cities-11647428858 |url-status=live |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316111106/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-mounts-counteroffensive-to-drive-russians-back-from-kyiv-key-cities-11647428858 |archive-date=16 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Некрасова |first=Наталья |date=17 March 2022 |title=Контратаки ЗСУ під Києвом порушили плани окупантів, — Нєбитов |work=kyiv.comments.ua |url=https://kyiv.comments.ua/ua/news/society/developments/8498-kontrataki-zsu-pid-kievom-porushili-plani-okupantiv-nebitov.html |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>

== Russian withdrawal ==
On 1 April 2022, [[Oleksandr Pavlyuk]], the head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, claimed that Russian forces had left Hostomel.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Zinets |first1=Natalia |last2=Hunder |first2=Max |date=2022-04-01 |title=Ukraine says Russian forces pushed back around Kyiv but fighting continues |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-withdrawing-some-troops-kyiv-region-governor-2022-04-01/ |access-date=2022-04-01}}</ref> On 2 April 2022, the whole of [[Kyiv Oblast]], where Hostomel is located in, was declared free of Russian Military by the [[Ukrainian Ministry of Defense]] after Russian troops had left the area.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/3/ukraine-retakes-whole-kyiv-region-as-russian-troops-pull-back Ukraine ‘retakes whole Kyiv region’ as Russia looks east], [[aljazeera.com]] (3 April 2022)</ref> The withdrawal of the last Russian forces from Kyiv Oblast was confirmed on 6 April.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Idrees |last2=Stewart |first2=Phil |last3=Ali |first3=Idrees |last4=Stewart |first4=Phil |date=2022-04-06 |title=Russia has completed withdrawal from around Kyiv -U.S. defense official |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-assesses-russia-completes-withdrawal-around-kyiv-us-defense-official-2022-04-06/ |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref name = ColKof/>

On 28 September 2022, the [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine]] and [[National Police of Ukraine]] published [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] footage showing [[OMON]] and [[Rosgvardiya]] soldiers shooting at civilians in Hostomel during the battle.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/28/ukraine-charges-russian-soldiers-alleged-to-have-shot-at-civilian-cars | title=Ukraine charges Russian soldiers alleged to have shot at civilian cars | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=28 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AY59Fr5R0I | title=Five russian servicemen were notified of suspicion of shooting cars with civilians in Hostomel | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_otmp16YKA | title=11 вбитих та 15 поранених на Київщині: оголошено підозру військовим рф, які розстрілювали людей | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>

In April 2023, Ukrainian Defence Minister [[Oleksii Reznikov]] stated that prior to the invasion, he was supposed to go to an MoD command post located in Hostomel, but the plans were cancelled and his team was not captured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=УНИАН - новости Украины {{!}} война с Россией {{!}} новини України {{!}} війна з Росією {{!}} УНІАН |url=https://t.me/uniannet/94913 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Telegram}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Cite news |title=Битва за аэродром Гостомель. Ворота в Киев, которые остались закрытыми |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-68383830 |access-date=2024-02-24 |work=BBC News Русская служба |language=ru}}

{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{coord missing|Ukraine}}

[[Category:Battles of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022|Hostomel]]
[[Category:Battles of the Northern Ukraine campaign|Hostomel]]
[[Category:Kyiv Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
[[Category:February 2022 events in Ukraine]]
[[Category:March 2022 events in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Bucha Raion]]