Battle of Vasylkiv

A battle fought near Vasylkiv, southwest of Kyiv, during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian forces repelled Russian airborne troops attempting to seize the area.

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Air assault: A military operation that uses aircraft to deliver troops into or near a combat area. Russian airborne troops sought to land near Vasylkiv and advance on the town.
Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine that began in 2014 and expanded into a full-scale invasion in 2022. The battle was one engagement in the invasion’s opening phase.
Battle of Irpin: A series of engagements west of Kyiv in which Ukrainian forces resisted Russian advances in 2022. It was another major defense of an approach to Kyiv during the same campaign.
Vasylkiv Air Base: A Ukrainian military airfield located near the city of Vasylkiv. Its proximity made the air base central to the reported Russian airborne objective.
Territorial Defence Forces of Ukraine: Ukraine’s military reserve force, organized into regional brigades and units. Territorial defense units helped defend Vasylkiv and its approaches.
Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022): The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on 24 February 2022. The fighting near Vasylkiv occurred during the first days of this invasion.
Russian withdrawal from northern Ukraine: Russia’s retreat from Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions in late March and early April 2022. The failed drive toward Kyiv, including resistance around Vasylkiv, preceded the withdrawal.
Kyiv: The capital and largest city of Ukraine, located on the Dnipro River. Vasylkiv’s strategic importance came from its position southwest of the capital.
Battle of Hostomel Airport: A battle over an airport northwest of Kyiv during the opening days of Russia’s 2022 invasion. It was another attempt to use an airport near Kyiv to establish an airborne foothold.
Battle of Kyiv (2022): The campaign around Kyiv in February and March 2022, ending with Russian forces withdrawing from northern Ukraine. Vasylkiv lay within the broader campaign to take or isolate Kyiv.