Russia’s failed air assault at Hostomel: what went wrong?

A clash of strategies, unmatched heroism, and devastating losses defined the battle for Hostomel Airport, a key engagement that shaped the trajectory of the war in Ukraine.

The OSINT community WarMonitor has conducted an analysis of these events and recalled how a key Russian operation, intended by the Kremlin to capture Ukraine within three days, ultimately failed.

In the early hours of February 24, 2022, minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the start of his renewed invasion, two Russian Kalibr cruise missiles struck the parade square of the Ukrainian National Guard’s 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade base near Hostomel Airport. Though the missiles landed on an empty area, their aim was clear: to neutralize Ukrainian defenses and clear the path for a strategic air assault on Hostomel Airport, a critical gateway to Kyiv.

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The events that followed painted a harrowing picture of modern warfare, with Ukraine’s defenders battling against overwhelming odds in one of the conflict’s most consequential engagements.

Despite the precision of the initial missile strikes, the Ukrainian response was swift. Around 200 conscripts from the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade moved out from their base to establish defensive positions around the airport, armed only with small arms, Soviet-era anti-aircraft missiles, and anti-tank weapons. Reinforcements from the 1st Operational Brigade and Omega anti-terrorist units joined shortly after, but the combined force remained understrength—less than a brigade-sized element—forcing them to operate in small, dispersed groups.

Meanwhile, 170 kilometers away at Bolshoy Bokov Airfield, a large Russian air assault force prepared for an ambitious operation. The force included 34 helicopters carrying elite VDV airborne troops, supported by 10 KA-52 attack helicopters and several MI-24 and MI-28 gunships. Their objective: seize Hostomel Airport and use it as a staging ground for a massive airlift of reinforcements, including armored vehicles and additional troops, into the heart of Ukraine.

The first wave of Russian helicopters flew low along the Dnipro River, evading radar but drawing fire from Ukrainian anti-aircraft teams stationed along the riverbanks. Two attack helicopters—a KA-52 and an MI-28—were shot down before reaching their target. The remaining helicopters split into two groups: one to engage Ukrainian defenses directly at the airport, and the other to disrupt Ukrainian reinforcements from the south.

As Russian attack helicopters reached Hostomel, they unleashed heavy missile and cannon fire on Ukrainian positions. But instead of disorganized resistance, they encountered well-prepared defenders who returned fire with devastating precision. Ukrainian forces armed with man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) managed to shoot down four KA-52 helicopters and a MI-28, significantly disrupting the Russian assault.

When Russian MI-8 transport helicopters attempted to land paratroopers, they were met with intense small-arms fire from Ukrainian positions, forcing them to circle nearby villages. After a prolonged firefight, Ukrainian forces, running low on ammunition, withdrew to their base. This allowed Russian forces to land around 100 VDV troops from the 31st Guards and 18th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigades. These troops quickly secured the runway and several administrative buildings, but delays proved costly.

The tide turned when Ukrainian reinforcements arrived. The 72nd Mechanized Brigade, equipped with tanks and artillery, approached from the northeast, while the 80th and 95th Air Assault Brigades arrived by helicopter to the west. Ukrainian forces quickly surrounded the airport, setting up artillery and mortar positions to pound the Russian paratroopers.

At 3:30 p.m., Ukrainian forces launched a coordinated counteroffensive. Artillery barrages and airstrikes from SU-24 bombers rendered the runway inoperable, thwarting plans to land additional Russian reinforcements. Ground forces, supported by Mi-24 attack helicopters, advanced from multiple directions, engaging in fierce close-quarters combat.

By 9 p.m., the airport was liberated, with Russian forces retreating into the surrounding forests. A planned landing of 18 Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft carrying additional Russian troops and armored vehicles was called off, dealing a severe blow to the Russian strategy.

Despite their defeat at the airport, Russian forces launched a renewed assault the following day, advancing through the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. By early March, the town of Hostomel and the airport fell under Russian control. However, relentless Ukrainian artillery strikes rendered the airfield unusable for the duration of the war.

The battle for Hostomel Airport was more than a tactical victory for Ukraine. It disrupted a critical element of Russia’s initial invasion strategy, preventing a rapid deployment of reinforcements into Kyiv. The delay allowed Ukrainian forces to regroup and fortify the capital, contributing to the ultimate failure of Russia’s attempt to capture Kyiv in the war’s early weeks.

The battle underscored the changing nature of modern warfare, where drones, air assaults, and rapid mobilization play pivotal roles. For Ukraine, the defense of Hostomel became a symbol of national resilience. For Russia, it highlighted the limitations of even its most elite forces when faced with determined resistance.

Hostomel Airport remains a powerful reminder of how close Ukraine came to disaster—and how courage and strategy can change the course of history.

 

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Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

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