Battle of Antonov Airport — Russia’s Bridge Too Far

Ultimately, the Russian advance was stopped by the tenacious defense and counter-attacks of the Ukrainian defenders.

The Battle of Antonov Airport is also known as the Battle of Hostomel Airport.

We follow suit here.

Shown in this photo is a Ukrainian Border Guards unit near Hostomel during the initial Russian invasion of their country. During the course of the war, the Border Guards have played an important role.

Ukrainian Border Guards were among those troops fighting Russians in and around Hostomel. They are shown here in a field training exercise withUkrainian AK-74rifles. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

All those terms are employed by historians after the fact.

Yet, many plans are still bold, risky and at times perilous and for good reason.

War is tricky business, and requires a certain amount of daring and risk to achieve victory.

Russian paratroopers jumping out of a transport plane

Russian paratroopers jumping out of a Il-76 Candid transport plane. Image: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Of course, von Clausewitz also argued that there is only one decisive victory: the last.

Much like Market Garden, it had moments of success, only for the situation to change quickly.

Cossel successfully blew up a railway line and then managed to return to friendly lines.

In this photograph, we see Ukrainian infantry riding a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle to engage the invaders. The Russian attack threatened the capital city, and these troops helped to stop the invaders in this early battle of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

In February 2022, Ukrainian soldiers ride an infantry fighting vehicle to engage Russian troops near the Antonov Airport. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The Fallschirmjager troops later were employed in the invasion of Norway and the Netherlands.

While they successfully captured several airfields key to their objectives many of their aircraft had been shot down.

It was expected Kyiv would be reached in three days or sooner at least, that was the plan.

In this photograph we see a member of the Ukrainian resistance. These men and women fight the Russian invaders in occupied territories. They are officially known as the Popular Resistance of Ukraine — an organized partisan fighting unit of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Resistance fighters of the NSU helped stop the Russian attack outside of Kyiv. NSU is the Popular Resistance of Ukraine that operates inside enemy-held territory. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The Russian ground forces failed to ask the Ukrainians their opinion on the issue.

Underestimating an enemy wasnt unique to these two airborne operations, and it has been an issue throughout history.

But clearly, the Kremlins expectations in Ukraine should be seen as unrealistic.

In this image, a Russian paratrooper lands in a snow covered field during training. Russian paratroopers battled Ukrainian forces to capture the Antonov airfield. The Russian troops were supported by Russian helicopters including the Ka-51 Alligator.

Russian paratroopers land in a snow covered field. Airborne operations offer significant tactical advantages, but can also go horribly wrong. Image: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Part of the issue was that it relied too much on wishful thinking.

It also explains why the Russian forces were decimated in their assault on Kyiv just weeks later.

The landings at the Hostomel Airport seems to have been a portent for what was to come.

This photograph shows a destroyed Russian light artillery piece at Antonov International Airport. During the Battle of Hostomel Airport, the Russians had little artillery and were forced to rely on infantry weapons almost exclusively.

This Russian artillery piece was destroyed during the Battle of Antonov airport. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Both objectives were approximately 60 miles from the nearest friendly lines.

Commanders sought to significantly shorten the war by seizing critical operational and strategic objectives.

Commanders in both cases underestimated the enemy forces waiting below.

In this black and white photograph, we see the unique Antonov An-225 plane that was destroyed during the fighting. It was the only aircraft of its design that was ever completely built.

The world’s largest plane, the Antonov An-225, was destroyed by the Russians during the Battle of Antonov Airport. Image: Oleksii Samsonov/KCSA

Thus they had far more support than the British 1st Airborne Division had at Arnhem.

This included firing missiles to neutralize the defenses, while radars were damaged and major air defense sites targeted.

To those watching the events unfold, it seemed that Russia could achieve its goals.

In this photo, we see a Ukrainian soldier in camouflage and carrying an AK-74 assault rifle in a trench near the perimeter of the airport. The airport was captured by the Russian forces, but was liberated by Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers provided a tough defense against the Russian invasion around Kyiv. They ultimately pushed the Russians out of the region. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The National Guard of Ukraines 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade was a combined arms force trained to NATO standards.

They were also able to link up with the ground forces.

That fact, along with effective anti-aircraft fire, kept the reinforcements from arriving.

In this photograph we see three Ukraine Border Guards training with AK-74 rifles to fight Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian Border Guards have been on the front line of fighting the Russian invaders from the very beginning. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The Ukrainian forces then continued to engage the Russian forces in and around Hostomel.

At every opportunity, Ukraine attacked the Russian positions.

On the outskirts of Kyiv, the Russian offensive was stopped.

In this photograph, we see the damaged hangar containing the Antonov An-225 Mriya. 300 Ukrainian National Guardsmen were tasked to defend the airport. Deployed around the airport, they initially blocked the Russians from taking it. However, the superior numbers of the Russians overwhelmed them. In the ensuing weeks, Ukraine was able to take the airport back and send the Russians running.

The destroyed An-225 had been prepped to be evacuated from Antonov airport, but the Russians launched the invasion before it could be flown to another location. Image: Oleksii Samsonov/KCSA

By the end of March 2024, the Russian military withdrew its forces from the Kyiv area.

A significant amount of the Russian hardware was captured intact by the Ukrainian military.

Russian airborne troops

Russian airborne troops were well trained and highly mobile. However, they lacked the heavy equipment needed to hold against a determined counterattack. Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

In this image, we see the military forces of Ukraine train in counterattack techniques. In this war, Russian equipment has been largely inferior to the Western equipment that Ukraine has been supplied with. The Russian Defence Ministry doesn’t like it, but they probably shouldn’t have invaded another country.

Ukrainian troops train in counterattacking techniques which have proved effective against the Russian ground forces. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

In this unusual photo taken from the interior of a Ka-52, we see the Russian helicopter engaging Ukrainian military forces at the Antonov Airport. Shortly after this image was taken, the Ka-52 and several Mi-8 helicopters were shot down with anti-aircraft missiles.

A Russian Ka-52 attacks the Antonov Airport in Hostomel on Feb 22, 2022. A Ka-52 and several Mi-8 were downed shortly after by the Ukrainian Forces. Image: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In this photo we see a Russian BMP that was destroyed near Kyiv. It had been part of a Russian convoy that was driving toward the capital of Ukraine after the airport had been fully captured.

Ukrainian troops provided a stiff defense and caused many casualties to the Russian military forces. Many Russian vehicles were destroyed or captured by Ukraine. Image: Alexei Samsonov/KMDA

Shown in this photo is the destroyed turret of a BTR APC and a heavily damaged airplane hangar. Russian missile strikes and the battle for the airport did extensive damage to the facilities and surrounding town.

One of many damaged buildings at Antonov International Airport due to the battle during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Image: Alexei Samsonov/KMDA

In this photo we see a Russian helicopter that was shot down by Ukrainian soldiers. The Ka-52 is a two-seat version of the Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter. It uses a coaxial rotor system and uses an ejection system for the pilots.

Ukrainian troops shot down several Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters during the war. At least one was destroyed during the fighting for Antonov International Airport. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

In this photograph, we see a destroyed Russian T-80 tank. Casualties on the Russian side were high as Ukrainian defenses at the battle were tenacious fighters determined on preventing Russian control of their country.

This Russian tank was destroyed outside of Kyiv. The Ukrainian defense forces halted the Russian advances, forcing them to begin a retreat from the country. Image: Alexei Samsonov/KMDA

This photograph taken during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine shows a Ukrainian citizen waving to his country’s troops after they defeated Russian airborne forces. Earlier in the day, soldiers celebrating the victory did take control of the city.

Near Antonov International Airport, a Ukrainian tank and mounted infantry ride past a grateful citizen who waves a hand of greeting. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

A Ukrainian soldier waves his country’s flag after the defeat of Russian forces near Hostomel. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine