{{Short description|Russian offensive in Ukraine}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=February 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Northern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine | image = {{multiple image |border=infobox |perrow=2/2/2 |total_width=300 |image1= Russian bombardment of telecommunications antennas in Kiev (3to4).jpg |alt1= |image2=Antonov Airport after Russian invasion of Ukraine and Mriya (3to4).jpg |alt2= |image3=Выдвижение танкового подразделения в Киевской области в ходе проведения специальной военной операции на Украине 005 (3to4).png |alt3= |image4=Fire at Kryuchki petroleum depot due to missile strike (3to4).jpg |alt4= |image5=Battle of Hostomel, 04.03.2021, Skirmish Aftermath.jpg|alt5= |image6= |alt6=}} | caption = '''Clockwise from top left:''' {{flatlist| * Russian bombardment of the Kyiv TV Tower during the battle of Kyiv * Wreckage of the Antonov An-225 Mriya following its destruction in the Battle of Antonov Airport * Petroleum depot on fire in Vasylkiv * Aftermath of a skirmish in the battle of Hostomel * Russian tank unit advances into the Kyiv Oblast}} | date = 24 February – 8 April 2022<br />({{age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=2|day1=24|year1=2022|month2=4|day2=8|year2=2022}}) | place = Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Zhytomyr oblasts, Ukraine | partof = the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine | result = Ukrainian victory<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia in retreat: Putin appears to admit defeat in the Battle for Kyiv|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russia-in-retreat-putin-appears-to-admit-defeat-in-the-battle-for-kyiv/|first=Peter|last=Dickinson|date=29 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|publisher=Atlantic Council|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329210501/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russia-in-retreat-putin-appears-to-admit-defeat-in-the-battle-for-kyiv/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Russia forced into humiliating retreat from Ukraine airport key to their battle plans|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/31/russia-forced-humiliating-retreat-ukraine-airport-key-battle/|date=31 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|publisher=The Telegraph|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331214654/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/31/russia-forced-humiliating-retreat-ukraine-airport-key-battle/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Russia 'failed to take Kyiv', Ukraine's capital was 'key objective', Pentagon says|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/russia-ukraine-kyiv-zelensky-pentagon-b2046773.html|date=30 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|work=The Independent|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329195359/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/russia-ukraine-kyiv-zelensky-pentagon-b2046773.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Russia has effectively admitted defeat In Ukraine|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/3/30/russia-has-effectively-admitted-defeat-in-ukraine|date=30 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|publisher=Al Jazeera|archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330193628/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/3/30/russia-has-effectively-admitted-defeat-in-ukraine|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Russia in Broad Retreat From Kyiv, Seeking to Regroup From Battering|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kyiv.html|date=2 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|work=The New York Times|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402155451/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kyiv.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=In villages near Kyiv, how Ukraine has kept Russia's army at bay|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/villages-near-kyiv-how-ukraine-has-kept-russias-army-bay-2022-03-29/|date=30 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|publisher=Reuters|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329153148/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/villages-near-kyiv-how-ukraine-has-kept-russias-army-bay-2022-03-29/|url-status=live}}</ref> | territory = Ukrainian forces regain control of the entirety of the Kyiv,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine regained control of 'whole Kyiv region' says defence official |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220402-as-it-happened-thousands-of-residents-evacuated-from-besieged-mariupol |date=2 April 2022 |access-date=2 April 2022 |publisher=Reuters |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402052144/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220402-as-it-happened-thousands-of-residents-evacuated-from-besieged-mariupol |url-status=live}}</ref> Sumy, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr oblasts<ref name="zhytomyr">{{cite news|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/4/7337100/|title=Zhytomyr region is liberated from Russian troops – the head of the Regional Military administration|first=Valentyna|last=Romanenko|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|date=4 April 2022|access-date=8 August 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808091927/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/4/7337100/|url-status=live}}</ref> | combatant1 = Russia | combatant2 = Ukraine | commander1 = {{ubl| | Aleksandr Chaiko<ref name="EMD" /> }} | commander2 = {{ubl| | Volodymyr Zelenskyy }} | units1 = * 1st Guards Tank Army * 35th Combined Arms Army * 36th Combined Arms Army * 90th Guards Tank Division * 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=6 months of war: How Russia got derailed in Ukraine |url=https://kyivindependent.com/6-months-of-war-how-russia-got-derailed-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}</ref> * 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade<ref name="PopMech">{{cite news |last1=Mizokami |first1=Kyle |title=Why Russian Forces Seized Chernobyl |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a39211540/why-russian-forces-seized-chernobyl/ |work=Popular Mechanics |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225044618/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a39211540/why-russian-forces-seized-chernobyl/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Mason |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Stepaneko |first3=Kateryna |title=Russia-Ukraine Warning Update: Initial Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-warning-update-initial-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment |work=Critical Threats |publisher=American Enterprise Institute |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225081234/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-warning-update-initial-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment |url-status=live}}</ref> * 141st Special Motorized Regiment<ref name="walesonline">{{cite web |last=Gogarty |first=Conor |date=12 March 2022 |title=Russian commanders killed in Ukraine including 'brutal warlord' |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-commanders-killed-ukraine-invasion-23360033 |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=WalesOnline |language=en |quote=General Magomed Tushaev died when his Chechen special forces column, including 56 tanks, was obliterated near Hostomel. |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313025744/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-commanders-killed-ukraine-invasion-23360033 |url-status=live}}</ref> * SOBR units<ref name=":8b">{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-soldiers-ukraine-cannon-fodder-governor/31739187.html|title='Sent As Cannon Fodder': Locals Confront Russian Governor Over 'Deceived' Soldiers In Ukraine|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=6 March 2022|access-date=20 March 2022|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306230235/https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-soldiers-ukraine-cannon-fodder-governor/31739187.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> * OMON units<ref name=":8b" /><ref name=":1" /> *PMC Redut<ref>{{cite web |title=A mercenaries' war How Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a 'secret mobilization' that allowed oligarch Evgeny Prigozhin to win back Putin's favor |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/07/14/a-mercenaries-war |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Meduza |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113132904/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/07/14/a-mercenaries-war |url-status=live}}</ref> | units2 = * 1st Tank Brigade<ref name="Siege" /> * 58th Motorized Brigade * 72nd Mechanized Brigade<ref name="Brovarsky">{{cite news |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/810680.html |title=Ukrainian military defeat tank regiment of Russian troops, eliminate commander Zakharov in Brovarsky district – Defense Intelligence |work=Interfax Kyiv |date=10 March 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313065610/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/810680.html |url-status=live}}</ref> * 93rd Mechanized Brigade * Georgian Legion<ref name="Georgian">{{cite web|title=Band of others: Ukraine's legions of foreign soldiers are on the frontline|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/24/ukraine-legion-foreign-soldiers-00020233|date=24 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|publisher=Politico|archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330015221/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/24/ukraine-legion-foreign-soldiers-00020233|url-status=live}}</ref> * Sheikh Mansur Battalion<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/politics/batalyon-sheyha-mansura-voyuye-proti-rosiji-interv-yu-nv-iz-komandirom-novini-ukrajini-50231689.html|title=Брат по зброї. Командир чеченських добровольців, який воює за Україну, розповідає про свої три війни з Росією|first=Iryna|last=Krikunenko|newspaper=NV|date=7 April 2022|language=uk|access-date=14 May 2022|archive-date=8 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508222322/https://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/politics/batalyon-sheyha-mansura-voyuye-proti-rosiji-interv-yu-nv-iz-komandirom-novini-ukrajini-50231689.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade<ref name="vasylkiv">{{cite news|title=Васильків – під контролем українських військових, бої закінчуються – влада|agency=Радіо Свобода |date=26 February 2022 |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-vasylkiv-boyi/31724428.html|access-date=26 February 2022|publisher=Radio Svoboda|language=uk|archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226115153/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-vasylkiv-boyi/31724428.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * 95th Airborne Brigade<ref name="Shulzhenko">{{cite news |title=Families mourn fallen defenders of Ukraine |date=2 May 2022 |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/families-mourn-fallen-defenders-of-ukraine/ |author=Daria Shulzhenko |newspaper=Kyiv Independent |access-date=20 May 2022 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526152507/https://kyivindependent.com/national/families-mourn-fallen-defenders-of-ukraine/ |url-status=live}}</ref> * 112th Territorial Defense Brigade<ref>{{cite web|title=The fighters who took over a retail store to defend Kyiv|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/multimedia/2022/03/31/news/the-fighters-who-took-over-a-retail-store-to-defend-kyiv/|date=31 March 2022|access-date=3 April 2022|work=The Japan Times|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331083135/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/multimedia/2022/03/31/news/the-fighters-who-took-over-a-retail-store-to-defend-kyiv/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Ukrainian Foreign Legion<ref>{{cite web|title=Foreign fighters now on battlefield helping battle Russia: Ukraine|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/ukraine/2022/03/07/foreign-fighters-now-on-battlefield-helping-battle-russia-ukraine/|date=7 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|publisher=Military Times|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307215342/https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/ukraine/2022/03/07/foreign-fighters-now-on-battlefield-helping-battle-russia-ukraine/|url-status=live}}</ref> * 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade<ref name="PopMech" /> * Azov Special Operations Detachment<ref name="Brovarsky" /> * 49th "Carpathian Sich" Battalion<ref name="Shulzhenko" /> | strength1 = 70,000 soldiers,<br />7,000 vehicles (total)<ref name="ukrinform.net">{{cite web |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3694293-defense-official-recalls-30-ukrainian-sof-soldiers-hampering-russias-advance-toward-kyiv.html |title=Defense official recalls 30 Ukrainian SOF soldiers hampering Russia's advance toward Kyiv |date=11 April 2023}}</ref> * 15,000–30,000 soldiers around Kyiv (Kyiv Convoy)<ref name="64 km-long">{{cite news|url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/what-we-know-about-64-kilometre-long-russian-convoy-headed-for-kyiv-ukraine-explained/53b58921-dc8c-4833-b7e1-6654bd2c0267|title=What we know about 64km-long Russian convoy headed for Kyiv|author=|work=9News|date=2 March 2022|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307140414/https://www.9news.com.au/world/what-we-know-about-64-kilometre-long-russian-convoy-headed-for-kyiv-ukraine-explained/53b58921-dc8c-4833-b7e1-6654bd2c0267|url-status=live}}</ref> * Several hundred airborne troops<ref name="strenght" /> * 1,500 Chechen soldiers<ref name=":22" /> * 700+ military ground vehicles (Kyiv Convoy)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9e3f0736-d60d-4627-95fa-ced2aa422a82|title=Military briefing: Ukraine uses guerrilla counter-attacks to take fight to Russia|author=|work=Financial Times|date=1 April 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401042709/https://www.ft.com/content/9e3f0736-d60d-4627-95fa-ced2aa422a82|url-status=live}}</ref> * 220–234+ helicopters<br /><ref name="airbase">{{cite web |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447 |title=Russia says 200 Ukrainians 'eliminated' in airbase siege |access-date=1 March 2022 |agency=BBC News |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225125947/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="strenght">{{cite web |last1=Монгайт |first1=Анна |date=25 February 2022 |script-title=ru:Журналист из Киева рассказал о многочасовом бое за аэропорт Гостомеля |trans-title=A journalist from Kyiv spoke about the hours-long battle for Gostomel airport |work=TV Rain |url=https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/here_and_now/zhurnalist_iz_kieva_rasskazal-548658/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228131940/https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/here_and_now/zhurnalist_iz_kieva_rasskazal-548658/ |archive-date=28 February 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | strength2 = 20,000 soldiers<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/12/26/ukraines-artillery-did-the-most-killing-around-kyiv-ultimately-saving-the-city-from-russian-occupation/?sh=5251407ec8b4 |title=Ukraine's Artillery Did the Most Killing Around Kyiv, Ultimately Saving the City from Russian Occupation |website=Forbes}}</ref><br />18,000+ irregulars<ref name="guns">{{cite web |date=25 February 2022 |title=Kyiv residents take up arms as Russia advances |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226021234/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref> | casualties1 = '''Per Ukraine:'''<br />Heavy casualties<ref>{{citation|title=The heavy losses of an elite Russian regiment in Ukraine|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340|date=2 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022|publisher=BBC|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403091724/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RUcas">{{cite news |last1=Glushchenko |first1=Olga |script-title=uk:У Києві вбили близько 60 диверсантів – радник глави МВС |language=uk |trans-title=About 60 saboteurs were killed in Kyiv – an adviser to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/26/7325975/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226012316/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/26/7325975/ |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-invasion-kharkiv-kyiv-fighting-zelenskiy/31725938.html#:~:text=Klitschko%20confirmed%20to%20the%20AP,been%20casualties%20among%20Russia's%20forces.|title=Kyiv Mayor Says 31 Dead In Capital From Russian Attacks, As Two Sides Agree To Hold Talks|author=|work=Radio Liberty|date=27 February 2022|access-date=3 April 2022|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403140115/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-invasion-kharkiv-kyiv-fighting-zelenskiy/31725938.html#:~:text=Klitschko%20confirmed%20to%20the%20AP,been%20casualties%20among%20Russia's%20forces.|url-status=live}}</ref><br />At least ten planes shot down<ref name="Ily1" /><ref name="Ily2" /><ref name="RUSukhoi">{{cite web |title=Ukraine invasion: Russia gathers troops 'closer and closer' to Kyiv as Ukraine 'destroys' two Russian planes in battle over capital |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-invasion-paratroopers-storm-military-hospital-in-kharkiv-overnight-as-russian-forces-close-in-on-kyiv-12555332 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302074330/https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-invasion-paratroopers-storm-military-hospital-in-kharkiv-overnight-as-russian-forces-close-in-on-kyiv-12555332 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="twoRUplanes">{{cite web |date=9 March 2022 |title=Kyiv's suburbs now look like the hellscape of Stalingrad – but we still have hope |author=Illia Ponomarenko |author-link=Illia Ponomarenko |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/09/kyiv-suburbs-stalingrad-ukraine-capital-city |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309162238/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/09/kyiv-suburbs-stalingrad-ukraine-capital-city |url-status=live}}</ref><br />At least several helicopters shot down<ref>{{Cite news|last=Eydoux|first=Thomas|date=24 February 2022|title=Images show Russian army 27 km from centre of Kyiv|language=en-US|work=France24|url=https://observers.france24.com/en/europe/20220224-images-show-russian-army-24km-outside-kyiv|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225041637/https://observers.france24.com/en/europe/20220224-images-show-russian-army-24km-outside-kyiv|url-status=live}}</ref> | casualties2 = * 530+ killed, 948+ wounded<ref>{{cite web |date=30 March 2022 |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/819473.html |title=According to preliminary data, up to 50 servicemen, 200-300 civilians killed under shelling, during fighting in Irpin |agency=Interfax |access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330224415/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/819473.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 March 2022 |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/815425.html |title=Since start of Russian invasion, 222 people died in Kyiv, of which 60 civilians, incl four children – Kyiv City State Administration |work=Interfax |access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318121942/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/815425.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/u-boyah-za-mista-j-sela-kiyivshini-bula-viznachena-dolya-ukr-89785 The fate of Ukraine and the capital was decided in the battles for the towns and villages of Kyiv region – Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of the warriors fallen in the battle for Moshchun]</ref><ref name="airbase" /> * 200+ captured<ref>{{cite web|last=Tobias|first=Ben |date=7 March 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60638949 |title=Ukraine war: Chernobyl workers' 12-day ordeal under Russian guard |agency=BBC News|access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309173838/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60638949 |url-status=live}}</ref> * Su-27 fighter shot down<ref name="Su-27" /> * Antonov An-225 Mriya destroyed<ref name="radiosvoboda2" /> | casualties3 = 1,589+ civilians killed<ref>1,500+ killed in Kyiv Oblast, in formerly Russian-controlled areas,[https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/838772.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614234800/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/838772.html |date=14 June 2022}} while 89 were killed in Kyiv city.[https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/821664.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170916/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/821664.html |date=7 April 2022}} Total of 1,589 civilians reported killed.</ref> | campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}} }} On 24 February 2022, as part of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian military crossed the Russia–Ukraine and Belarus–Ukraine borders into northern Ukraine, entering the oblasts (regions) of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Zhytomyr. The Russian operations in northern Ukraine were initially launched as an attempt to capture Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine and the seat of the Ukrainian government.<ref name=":5" />
Russian forces initially captured several towns and cities,<ref name="lister">{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/06/europe/ukraine-russia-invasion-sunday-intl-hnk/index.html |title='A family died... in front of my eyes': Civilians killed as Russian military strike hits evacuation route in Kyiv suburb |first1=Tim |last1=Lister |first2=Josh |last2=Pennington |first3=Luke |last3=McGee |first4=Radina |last4=Gigova |agency=CNN |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307184903/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/06/europe/ukraine-russia-invasion-sunday-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="vorzel">{{cite news |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3422872-bucha-vorzel-hostomel-under-enemys-control-situation-remains-critical.html |title=Bucha, Vorzel, Hostomel under enemy's control, situation remains critical |agency=Ukrinform |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309001159/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3422872-bucha-vorzel-hostomel-under-enemys-control-situation-remains-critical.html |url-status=live}}</ref> but logistical and supply failures, stiff Ukrainian resistance, and poor morale caused their advance to stall. With heavy losses and the inability to make further progress, Russia withdrew its forces from Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts in late March and early April 2022, and Ukrainian forces retook control.<ref name="Qena" /><ref name="retake1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60949706?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=62488b201fea84616a6cda2d%26Ukraine%20retakes%20whole%20Kyiv%20region%20-%20deputy%20defence%20minister%262022-04-02T17%3A46%3A51.579Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:ef26daa6-459a-4d01-903d-b0a854e471b8&pinned_post_asset_id=62488b201fea84616a6cda2d&pinned_post_type=share|title=Ukraine war latest: Ukraine says it has retaken entire Kyiv region|agency=BBC News |access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402195112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60949706?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=62488b201fea84616a6cda2d%26Ukraine%20retakes%20whole%20Kyiv%20region%20-%20deputy%20defence%20minister%262022-04-02T17:46:51.579Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:ef26daa6-459a-4d01-903d-b0a854e471b8&pinned_post_asset_id=62488b201fea84616a6cda2d&pinned_post_type=share|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="retake2">{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-04-2-22#h_4516cdd9f42ccce6f029c3d2fe2764c7|title=Kyiv region "liberated" from Russian forces, senior Ukrainian defense official says|date=2 April 2022|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402194211/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-04-2-22/h_4516cdd9f42ccce6f029c3d2fe2764c7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="zhytomyr" />
== Campaign ==
=== Three-day war plan === Russia had reportedly hoped to take Kyiv rapidly and to remove the Ukrainian Government, allowing the installation of a pro-Russian government.<ref name="Sheftalovich">{{Cite web |author=Zoya Sheftalovich |date=26 February 2022 |title=Putin's miscalculation |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-russia-vladimir-putin-miscalculation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310193923/https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-russia-vladimir-putin-miscalculation/ |archive-date=10 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref name="India Today">{{Cite web |date=7 March 2022 |title=Russian military convoy near Ukraine's Kyiv makes no progress, probably stuck in mud or out of fuel: Report |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/russia-ukraine-war/story/russia-ukraine-war-news-updates-military-convoy-kyiv-mud-fuel-report-1921535-2022-03-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307041700/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/russia-ukraine-war/story/russia-ukraine-war-news-updates-military-convoy-kyiv-mud-fuel-report-1921535-2022-03-07 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Russia positioned a large force in Belarus, which crossed the border and invaded the north of Ukraine, while other forces attacked from the east of Ukraine (occupied territories of the Donbass) and from Crimea in the south.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=2022-03-02 |title=Russian military convoy north of Kyiv stretches for 40 miles -Maxar |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-military-convoy-north-kyiv-stretches-40-miles-maxar-2022-03-01/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301043447/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-military-convoy-north-kyiv-stretches-40-miles-maxar-2022-03-01/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=2022-03-07 |agency=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
After the start of the invasion, Ukrainian and Western analysts tentatively assessed that Putin seemed to have assumed that the Russian Armed Forces would be capable of capturing the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv within several days. This assessment eventually led to the commonly reached conclusion that "taking Kyiv in three days" had been the original objective or expectation of the invasion.<ref name="Sheftalovich" /><ref name="France 24">{{Cite news |agency=AFP |date=8 March 2022 |title=Five reasons why Ukraine has been able to stall Russian advance |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220308-five-reasons-why-ukraine-has-been-able-to-stall-russian-advance |access-date=21 December 2022 |publisher=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gabuev |first=Alexander |date=23 September 2022 |title=Putin has once again overplayed his hand in Ukraine |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6d1f5ad5-f867-4e65-9127-916a195e9780 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923210332/https://www.ft.com/content/6d1f5ad5-f867-4e65-9127-916a195e9780 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |access-date=21 December 2022 |work=Financial Times |quote=Putin's original plan—to take Kyiv in three days—was thwarted by the fierce resistance of the Ukrainians and by western support for Kyiv. Now we are seeing plan B, formed in response to developments on the ground.}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20220923210332/https://www.ft.com/content/6d1f5ad5-f867-4e65-9127-916a195e9780 Alt URL]</ref>
Putin himself asserted back in 2014 that Russian forces "could take Ukraine in two weeks".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-09-02 |title=Putin Tells European Official That He Could 'Take Kiev in Two Weeks' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/world/europe/ukraine-crisis.html?_r=1 |access-date=2025-11-03 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Traynor |first=Ian |date=2014-09-02 |title=Putin claims Russian forces 'could conquer Ukraine capital in two weeks' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/putin-russian-forces-could-conquer-ukraine-capital-kiev-fortnight |access-date=2025-11-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Aleksandr Lukashenko had already stated that, in case of war, Kyiv would be taken in "3–4 days".<ref>{{Cite web |last=veth |date=2022-02-05 |title=Lukashenka spoke about the war with Ukraine: it would last "maximum 3-4 days" |url=https://ukrainetoday.org/lukashenka-spoke-about-the-war-with-ukraine-it-would-last-maximum-3-4-days/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Ukrainetoday.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=x.com |url=https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/1498185064617762816?lang=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913142407/https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/1498185064617762816?lang=en |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref> Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT, had made similar remarks about Russia being able to "defeat Ukraine in two days".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Odesa |first1=Michael Wasiura in |last2=Ukraine |date=2023-10-06 |title=Even Russian propaganda was hesitant to claim Kyiv would fall in three days |url=https://www.newsweek.com/even-russian-propaganda-was-hesitant-claim-kyiv-would-fall-three-days-1832754 |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> The narrative of the planned "three day" capture of Kyiv was further reinforced on 2 March, when the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) repeated the claim following its release of a video showing a captured Russian soldier claiming that his unit was sent into Ukraine with food supplies for only three days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Copp |first=Tara |date=2 March 2022 |title='The Convoy Is Stalled': Logistics Failures Slow Russian Advance, Pentagon Says |url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/03/convoy-stalled-logistics-failures-slow-russian-advance-pentagon-says/362666/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302000000/http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/03/convoy-stalled-logistics-failures-slow-russian-advance-pentagon-says/362666/ |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=21 December 2022 |work=Defense One |quote=On Wednesday, Ukraine's security service posted a video of a captured Russian soldier who says he and his unit were sent across the border with only three days' food. 'Putin expected to capture Ukraine in three days,' Ukraine's security service wrote above the video, which could not be independently verified. 'By the order of the top Russian leadership, the phones and documents were taken from the fire brigades, removed food and water for three days and sent to war with Ukraine,' the agency said, according to the English translation of the post.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian troops were given 3 days' worth of food before attack on Ukraine: SBU publishes video with captured soldier |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/2/7327483/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref> Documents found inside Russian tanks mention how the "special military operation" would conclude in ten days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine war: Captured Russian documents reveal Moscow's 10-day plan to take over the country and kill its leaders |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-captured-russian-documents-reveal-moscows-10-day-plan-to-take-over-the-country-and-kill-its-leaders-12759836 |access-date=2025-01-29 |agency=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> Ukraine also captured "flagship" tanks – as used in parades – along with military parade uniforms, suggesting that Russia expected to stage a victory parade in Kyiv after a quick conquest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian troops seize Russian flagship tank in Sumy |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/8/7329360/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ЗСУ: Росіяни взяли з собою в Україну парадну військову форму |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/7/7329017/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Українська правда |language=uk |quote=Вони їхали до нас вбивати наших дітей, трощити наші домівки, щоб потім пройти урочистим парадом Хрещатиком. Навіть везли з собою парадну форму з начепленими медалями.}}</ref> Three days after the invasion began, RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, mistakenly published an article entitled "Russia's Coming and the New World," which was prepared in advance in anticipation of a Russian victory. It announced that Russia had won the Russo-Ukrainian war and that "Ukraine had returned to Russia".<ref name="Coleman 2022">{{cite web |last1=Coleman |first1=Alistair |date=28 February 2022 |title=Ukraine crisis: Russian news agency deletes victory editorial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60562240 |access-date=7 March 2022 |agency=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="Akopov Novosti 2022">{{cite web |last1=Akopov |first1=Petr |date=26 February 2022 |title=Наступление России и нового мира |trans-title=The arrival/attack of Russia and the new world |url=https://ria.ru/20220226/rossiya-1775162336.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226051154/https://ria.ru/20220226/rossiya-1775162336.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |agency=RIA Novosti |language=ru}}</ref> Zelenskyy also said that he had received an ultimatum to be replaced with Viktor Medvedchuk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Russia issued ultimatum to Ukraine in 2022 to replace Zelensky with Medvedchuk, president says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-issued-ultimatum-in-2022-to-force-out-zelensky-install-medvedchuk-president-says/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-23 |title=UK says Russia plotting to install pro-Moscow government in Ukraine |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/23/uk-claims-russia-seeking-to-replace-ukraine-government-with-pro-moscow-ally |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref>
=== Russian advance on Kyiv === {{Redirect-distinguish-for|Kyiv offensive (2022)|Battle of Kyiv (2022)||Battle of Kyiv (disambiguation)}} On the morning of 24 February 2022, Russia initiated attacks on Kyiv Oblast with artillery and missile strikes on several primary targets, including Boryspil International Airport, Kyiv's primary airport.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Vanderklippe |first1=Nathan |last2=MacKinnon |first2=Mark |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russian troops advancing toward Kyiv as war rages throughout Ukraine |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-russia-launches-attacks-on-ukrainian-cities-as-putin-declares-military/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225025850/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-russia-launches-attacks-on-ukrainian-cities-as-putin-declares-military/ |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Saunders |first1=Thomas |last2=Wood |first2=Poppy |date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine invasion map: Where Russia's troops have attacked in the war so far and how Putin will target Kyiv |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/ukraine-invasion-map-where-russia-troops-attack-war-putin-kyiv-explained-1480175 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225043912/https://inews.co.uk/news/world/ukraine-invasion-map-where-russia-troops-attack-war-putin-kyiv-explained-1480175 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=25 February 2022 |title=Fresh pre-dawn explosions heard in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, with reports Russian plane downed |publisher=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/explosions-heard-ukraine-kyiv/100861214 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225033440/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/explosions-heard-ukraine-kyiv/100861214 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russia apparently intended to rapidly seize Kyiv, with Spetsnaz infiltrating the city, supported by airborne operations and a rapid mechanised advance from the north. Russian Airborne Forces attempted to seize two key airfields near Kyiv, launching an airborne assault on Antonov Airport,<ref name="outskirts">{{cite news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Battle Underway for Airbase on Kyiv Outskirts |work=Moscow Times |agency=AFP |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/24/battle-underway-for-airbase-on-kyiv-outskirts-a76573 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225043724/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/24/battle-underway-for-airbase-on-kyiv-outskirts-a76573 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=Russia claims to take control of Hostomel airport just outside Kyiv |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/russia-claims-to-take-control-of-hostomel-airport-just-outside-kyiv/ |access-date=25 February 2022 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225143618/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/russia-claims-to-take-control-of-hostomel-airport-just-outside-kyiv/ |url-status=live}}</ref> followed by a similar landing at Vasylkiv, near Vasylkiv Air Base south of Kyiv, on 26 February.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=uk:Окупанти намагаються висадити десант у Василькові, йдуть бої |trans-title=The occupiers are trying to land in Vasylkiv, fighting is going on |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3413199-okupanti-namagautsa-visaditi-desant-u-vasilkovi-jdut-boi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226004532/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3413199-okupanti-namagautsa-visaditi-desant-u-vasilkovi-jdut-boi.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=uk |date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=26 February 2022 |script-title=uk:У Василькові збили винищувач та два гвинтокрили окупантів |trans-title=A fighter and two helicopters of the occupiers were shot down in Vasylkiv |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/u-vasilkovi-zbili-vinishchuvach-ta-dva-gvintokrili-okupantiv-trivayut-vazhki-boji-novini-donbasu-11718652.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226003258/https://www.unian.ua/war/u-vasilkovi-zbili-vinishchuvach-ta-dva-gvintokrili-okupantiv-trivayut-vazhki-boji-novini-donbasu-11718652.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |language=uk}}</ref>
The attacks were unsuccessful<ref>{{cite web |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |title=At Vasylkiv, Ukrainians Repel Russia's Paratroopers and Commandos in Frantic Night Battle |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/02/at-vasylkiv-ukrainians-repel-russias-paratroopers-and-commandos-in-frantic-night-battle/ |website=19FortyFive |access-date=5 March 2022 |date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227081256/https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/02/at-vasylkiv-ukrainians-repel-russias-paratroopers-and-commandos-in-frantic-night-battle/ |url-status=live}}</ref> due to several factors, including the disparity in morale and performance between Ukrainian and Russian forces, the Ukrainian use of sophisticated man-portable weapons provided by Western allies, poor Russian logistics and equipment performance, the failure of the Russian Air Force to achieve air superiority, and Russian military attrition during their siege of major cities.<ref name="wapo20220320">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/20/russia-ukraine-military-offensive/ |title=Russia's war for Ukraine could be headed toward stalemate |first1=Liz |last1=Sly |first2=Dan |last2=Lamothe |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=20 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320093229/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/20/russia-ukraine-military-offensive/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/21/ukraine-is-winning-war-russia-offensive-putin/ |title=Opinion: Against all odds, Ukrainians are winning. Russia's initial offensive has failed. |first=Max |last=Boot |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=21 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322030413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/21/ukraine-is-winning-war-russia-offensive-putin/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/03/22/russian-army-has-run-time/ |title=The Russian army has run out of time |first=Richard |last=Kemp |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322160221/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/03/22/russian-army-has-run-time/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As Russian forces advanced towards Kyiv, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that "subversive groups" were approaching the city.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Karmanau |first1=Yuras |last2=Heintz |first2=Jim |last3=Isachenkov |first3=Vladimir |last4=Litvinova |first4=Dasha |date=24 February 2022 |title=Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russia presses Ukraine assault |agency=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-attack-a05e7c4563ac94b963134bba83187d46 |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225062836/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-attack-a05e7c4563ac94b963134bba83187d46?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Talmazan |first1=Yuliya |last2=Smith |first2=Alexander |last3=Shabbad |first3=Rebecca |last4=Elbaum |first4=Rachel |date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine president warns of Russian saboteurs in Kyiv as U.S., allies pile on new sanctions |agency=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-launches-attacks-key-ukrainian-cities-rcna17482 |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225042133/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-launches-attacks-key-ukrainian-cities-rcna17482 |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref> The Ukrainians also claimed that at the beginning of the invasion, just 30 SOF soldiers managed to halt the Russian attack. The Ukrainians ambushed the Russian convoy, guarded by some 2,000 troops, and destroyed three lead vehicles, attacked the rest of the convoy, destroying the bridges in the process. This engagement ended up temporarily stalling the entire Russian advance from Belarus, which consisted of 70,000 soldiers and 7,000 vehicles.<ref name="ukrinform.net">{{cite web |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3694293-defense-official-recalls-30-ukrainian-sof-soldiers-hampering-russias-advance-toward-kyiv.html |title=Defense official recalls 30 Ukrainian SOF soldiers hampering Russia's advance toward Kyiv |date=11 April 2023 |agency=Ukrinform}}</ref>
Wagner Group mercenaries and Chechen forces reportedly made several attempts to assassinate Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian government said these efforts were thwarted by anti-war officials in Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), who shared intelligence of the plans.<ref name="wagnerzelenskyy">{{cite news |last=Rana |first=Manveen |title=Volodymyr Zelensky survives three assassination attempts in days |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/zelensky-survives-three-assassination-attempts-in-days-xnstdfdfc |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 March 2022 |work=The Times |date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205170407/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/zelensky-survives-three-assassination-attempts-in-days-xnstdfdfc |url-status=live}}</ref>
Russian forces trying to capture Kyiv advanced south towards the city from Belarus on 24 February, reportedly in an attempt encircle the city from the west. Two supporting axes of attack from Russia through Chernihiv Oblast and Sumy Oblast were intended to encircle Kyiv from the northeast and east, respectively.<ref name="ISW 4MAR">{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 4 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |last1=Kagan |first1=Frederick |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |website=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=5 March 2022 |date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305152942/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The attack force reached the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and captured the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the ghost city of Pripyat.<ref>{{cite news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine loses control of Chernobyl nuclear site, amid battles in Kyiv outskirts |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-troops-battle-invading-russian-army-in-kyiv-outskirts/ |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225030412/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-troops-battle-invading-russian-army-in-kyiv-outskirts/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_ukrayinski-vijskovi-pid-kiyevom-zupinili-kolonu-rosijskih-tankiv/1072503 |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |work=Gazeta |language=uk |script-title=uk:Українські військові під Києвом зупинили колону російських танків |trans-title=The Ukrainian military stopped a column of Russian tanks near Kyiv |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225100628/https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_ukrayinski-vijskovi-pid-kiyevom-zupinili-kolonu-rosijskih-tankiv/1072503 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian vehicles had also broke through the border checkpoint at Vilcha by noon.<ref name=PutinAtakuvav>{{cite web|title=Путін атакував Україну: всі подробиці про нове російське вторгнення|url=https://novyny.live/ukraine/putin-obiavil-vtorzhenie-v-ukrainu-nachalis-massovye-obstrely-foto-video-40802.html|website=Новини.live|language=uk|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref> Following their breakthrough at Chernobyl, Russian forces were held at Ivankiv, a key town between the border and Kyiv.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin revealed that some Russian mechanized infantry units had advanced to within {{Convert|20|mi|km|abbr=out}} of Kyiv on the first day of the offensive.<ref name=":2" /> In the morning of 25 February, Ukraine's military said its airborne forces were fighting near the settlements of Dymer and Ivankiv, where a large amount of Russian armored vehicles had advanced.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ЗСУ ведуть бій в районах Димера та Іванкова на Київщині – Генштаб|date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3412276-zsu-vedut-bojovi-dii-v-rajonah-naselenih-punktiv-dimer-ta-ivankiv-genstab.html|access-date=25 February 2022|agency=Ukrinform|language=uk|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225055406/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3412276-zsu-vedut-bojovi-dii-v-rajonah-naselenih-punktiv-dimer-ta-ivankiv-genstab.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=informIvankiv>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine war news from February 25: Kyiv suburbs breached, Russian forces face resistance, Zelensky warns Russia will 'storm' capital |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |access-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226151541/https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge over the Teteriv River at Ivankiv, claiming to have halted the Russian columns, though it was soon reported that 80 Russian vehicles were moving through Dymer and the neighboring village of {{ill|Katiuzhanka|uk|Катюжанка}}.<ref name=informIvankiv /><ref name=SenguptaIvankiv>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-soldiers-fight-kyiv-b2023603.html |title=The fight for Kyiv: Ukrainians offer resistance but know the biggest battle is ahead |website=The Independent |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226141813/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-soldiers-fight-kyiv-b2023603.html |url-status=live|first=Kim|last=Sengupta}}</ref><ref name=GazetaIvankiv>{{Cite web|last=Gazeta.ua|date=25 February 2022|title=Українські військові під Києвом зупинили колону російських танків|url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_ukrayinski-vijskovi-pid-kiyevom-zupinili-kolonu-rosijskih-tankiv/1072503|access-date=25 February 2022|website=Gazeta.ua|language=uk|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225100628/https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_ukrayinski-vijskovi-pid-kiyevom-zupinili-kolonu-rosijskih-tankiv/1072503|url-status=live}}</ref>
On the morning of 27 February, a large convoy of Russian vehicles more than {{convert|3|miles|km|order=flip}} long was seen on satellite images on a road near Ivankiv heading towards Kyiv.<ref name=":7">{{cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russian forces advance on Kyiv: fighting on fourth day of invasion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227203050/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Satellite images show more than three-mile-long Russian military column on roadway to Kyiv |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-27-22/h_d4b7003723f373f86538ff2995c4bb85 |access-date=28 February 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228204918/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-27-22/h_d4b7003723f373f86538ff2995c4bb85 |url-status=live}}</ref> By 28 February, the convoy had grown to around {{convert|64|km|miles}} long.<ref name=":13" />
The Russian advance was greatly hindered by logistical difficulties, partially caused by the Belarusian opposition, as dissident railway workers, hackers and security forces disrupted railway lines in Belarus. This operation, known as the 2022 rail war in Belarus, was mainly organized by individuals and three larger networks known as "Bypol", the "Community of Railway Workers", and the "Cyber Partisans".<ref name="shy">{{cite news |last1=Shy |first1=Liz |title=The Belarusian railway workers who helped thwart Russia's attack on Kyiv |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/23/ukraine-belarus-railway-saboteurs-russia/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=23 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
==== Antonov Airport occupied ==== {{Main|Battle of Antonov Airport}}
At 8:00 a.m. local time on 24 February 2022, 20 to 34 Russian military helicopters (Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters escorted by Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopters) flew south from the Belarus–Ukraine border and approached the town of Hostomel. The helicopter group reportedly carried around 300 VDV airborne troops, purportedly from the 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade or 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade for an assault on Antonov Airport nearby.<ref name=":102">{{cite web |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |date=25 February 2022 |title=Pictures: In Battle for Hostomel, Ukraine Drove Back Russia's Attack Helicopters and Elite Paratroopers |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/02/pictures-in-battle-for-hostomel-ukraine-drove-back-russias-attack-helicopters-and-elite-paratroopers/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=19FortyFive |language=en-US |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226211938/https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/02/pictures-in-battle-for-hostomel-ukraine-drove-back-russias-attack-helicopters-and-elite-paratroopers/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The assault was an attempt to secure the site as an airbridge for Russian transport troops and heavy equipment (such as artillery and tanks) for an invasion on Kyiv proper.<ref name="outskirts" /> The helicopter group was met by attacks from Ukrainian small arms and MANPADS. The attack eventually downed one to three helicopters, with their pilots ejecting.<ref name="Willis_2022022422">{{cite news |last1=Willis |first1=Haley |last2=Tiefenthäler |first2=Ainara |last3=Froliak |first3=Masha |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russian helicopters attack an airport near Kyiv |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/world/europe/russian-helicopter-attack-video.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225011301/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/world/europe/russian-helicopter-attack-video.html |archive-date=25 February 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":102" /> Despite the attacks, the airport was ultimately captured on 25 February as the significantly outnumbered and outgunned members of the Ukrainian National Guard withdrew.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sonne |first1=Paul |last2=Khurshudyan |first2=Isabelle |last3=Morgunov |first3=Serhiy |last4=Khudov |first4=Kostiantyn |title=Battle for Kyiv: Ukrainian valor, Russian blunders combined to save the capital |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/interactive/2022/kyiv-battle-ukraine-survival/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-11-14 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walla |first=Katherine |date=2022-03-03 |title=Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Why did Russia's invasion stumble? |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/russia-crisis-military-assessment-why-did-russias-invasion-stumble/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gregg |first1=Kevin D. |last2=Stringer |first2=Heather S. |date=2023-07-21 |title=Disrupting Moscow's Invasion Playbook: Lessons from Prague to Kyiv |url=https://mwi.westpoint.edu/disrupting-moscows-invasion-playbook-lessons-from-prague-to-kyiv/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Modern War Institute |language=en-US}}</ref>
After the capture of the airport, Russian troops began to prepare for the arrival of 18 Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft with reinforcements for the assault. However, local militias{{failed verification|date=August 2025}} and troops from the 3rd Special Purpose Regiment{{failed verification|date=August 2025}} attacked the airport, hampering Russian efforts.<ref name="Patrick">{{cite web |author=Aaron Patrick |date=4 March 2022 |title=Why Russia's military strategy is failing |url=https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/why-russia-s-military-strategy-is-failing-20220304-p5a1ov |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401132538/https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/why-russia-s-military-strategy-is-failing-20220304-p5a1ov |archive-date=1 April 2022 |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=Financial Review}}</ref> The Ukrainian 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade, in a decisive counterattack, prevented the transport aircraft from landing at the airport, forcing it to return to Russia, and preventing further reinforcements.<ref name="allages2">{{cite news |date=25 February 2022 |title=Ukraine asks for fighters of all ages, reports city lost, but successes elsewhere |language=en |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukraine-asks-for-fighters-of-all-ages-reports-city-lost-but-successes-elsewhere/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227094507/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukraine-asks-for-fighters-of-all-ages-reports-city-lost-but-successes-elsewhere/ |archive-date=27 February 2022 |oclc=969749342}}</ref> With air support from the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukrainian units managed to repel the airborne assault.<ref name=":102" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Adcox |first=Abigail |date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine says forces regained control of airport taken by Russians |work=The Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/ukraine-says-forces-regained-control-of-airport-taken-by-russians |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225005434/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/ukraine-says-forces-regained-control-of-airport-taken-by-russians |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref> Russian forces also attempted landings at the Kyiv Cistern.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hyde |first=Lily |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russians tighten noose around Kyiv as Putin pushes for Ukraine to disarm |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-kyiv-putin-push-ukraine-disarm/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225034114/https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-kyiv-putin-push-ukraine-disarm/ |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref>
A renewed airborne assault was launched a day after the initial attack.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} Russian forces were able to advance and capture the airport after a combined ground-based assault.<ref name=":82">{{cite web |title=Russia claims to take control of Hostomel airport just outside Kyiv |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/russia-claims-to-take-control-of-hostomel-airport-just-outside-kyiv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225143618/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/russia-claims-to-take-control-of-hostomel-airport-just-outside-kyiv/ |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |work=The Times of Israel |date=25 February 2022 |language=en-US |agency=AP}}</ref> Despite their success, the airport was deemed inoperable,<ref name="allages2" /> ending chances for a swift Ukrainian capitulation via the capture of Kyiv.<ref name="Marson2">{{cite news |last1=Marson |first1=James |date=3 March 2022 |title=Putin Thought Ukraine Would Fall Quickly. An Airport Battle Proved Him Wrong. |language=en-us |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-thought-ukraine-would-fall-quickly-an-airport-battle-proved-him-wrong-11646343121 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307230009/https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-thought-ukraine-would-fall-quickly-an-airport-battle-proved-him-wrong-11646343121 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |issn=0099-9660 |oclc=781541372 |quote= |eissn=1042-9840}}</ref> During the clash at Antonov Airport, the only existing Antonov An-225 Mriya (the world's largest operational aircraft) was destroyed in its storage hangar.<ref name="radiosvoboda2">{{cite news |date=27 February 2022 |script-title=uk:У результаті російської атаки згорів найбільший в світі літак «Мрія» |language=uk |trans-title=As a result of the Russian attack, the world's largest aircraft "Mriya" burned down |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-v-rezultati-rosiyskoyi-ataky-z-horiv-naybilshyy-v-sviti-litak-mriya-/31726400.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228004841/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-v-rezultati-rosiyskoyi-ataky-z-horiv-naybilshyy-v-sviti-litak-mriya-/31726400.html |archive-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> The Russian government claimed nearly 200 Ukrainian deaths in the assault with no losses of its own. However, according to both Western and Ukrainian sources, an estimated 300 Russian paratroopers were killed during the battle.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Doucet |first1=Lyse |author1-link=Lyse Doucet |date=25 February 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict: Kyiv braces for Russian assault |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60513116 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225161642/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60513116 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |quote=On Friday afternoon, Russia's defence ministry announced it had captured the Antonov airport, using 200 helicopters and a landing force in order to take the base to the north of Kyiv from Ukraine. Western intelligence officials warned earlier that Russia was building an "overwhelming force" to take control of the city.}}</ref>{{Gallery|File:Взятие под контроль аэродрома на территории Украины 004.png|Russian airborne troops at Antonov Airport.|File:Взятие под контроль аэродрома на территории Украины 011 (3to4).png|Russian airborne troops attempting to capture the airport.|File:An-225 Mriya after Russian invasion of Ukraine (3to4).jpg|Remains of the Antonov An-225 following its destruction at Antonov Airport.|||title=|width=250|height=200|align=center}}<ref name="NYT_20221216">{{Cite news |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Troianovski |first2=Anton |last3=Al-Hlou |first3=Yousur |last4=Froliak |first4=Masha |last5=Entous |first5=Adam |last6=Gibbons-Neff |first6=Thomas |date=16 December 2022 |title=Putin's War |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/16/world/europe/russia-putin-war-failures-ukraine.html |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref>
==== Hostomel ==== {{Main|Battle of Hostomel}}
thumb|The aftermath of clashes in Hostomel On 26 February, according to Ukrainian sources, Ukrainian strikes near the Hostomel airport resulted in the death of 141st Motorized Regiment commander Magomed Tushayev{{Contradictory inline|article=Magomed Tushayev|reason=Article seems to claim he is alive.|date=January 2026}} and the "destruction" of a "strike group" which had been ordered to assassinate Zelensky.<ref name=":22">{{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 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322090655/https://news.obozrevatel.com/society/kadyirovtsev-kotoryie-ehali-napast-na-zelenskogo-unichtozhili-danilov.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{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 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309035217/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/1/7327224/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In late February 2022, Russian forces attempted to set up checkpoints within the city of Hostomel, but were forced to move back towards the airport by Ukrainian forces.<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 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403154305/https://zona.media/article/2022/03/02/hostomel/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 3 March, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) claimed that its forces were engaged in battles for the city of Hostomel, and claimed to have destroyed twenty Russian military vehicles, including ten at the city'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 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327182406/https://news.liga.net/kiev/news/gostomel-spetsnaz-gur-unichtojil-10-boevyh-mashin-rossiyskogo-desanta-idet-boy-video |url-status=live}}</ref> Major Valeriy Chybineyev of the Defense Intelligence was killed at Hostomel the same day.<ref name=":64" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Kirtoka |first=Violetta |date=5 March 2022 |title=Пам'яті загиблого 3 березня в бою за Гостомель Героя України Валерія Чибінєєва |url=https://censor.net/ua/resonance/3321750/pamyati_zagyblogo_3_bereznya_v_boyu_za_gostomel_geroya_ukrayiny_valeriya_chybinyeyeva |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=Censor.NET |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website={{ill|Новинарня|uk}}|language=uk|title=Як загинув Герой України Валерій Чибінєєв. Розповідь полковника ГУР МОУ|date=22 September 2023|access-date=15 August 2025|first=Анна|last=Гудзь|url=https://novynarnia.com/2023/09/22/yak-zagynuv-geroj-ukrayiny-valerij-chybinyeyev-rozpovid-polkovnyka-gur-mou/}}</ref> The next day, the DIU announced that a special forces group under its command, which also included the 3rd Special Forces Regiment and a local resistance group, had restored control over Hostomel, and that over fifty members of Russia's 31st Air Assault Brigade had been killed in action during the battles.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian Armed Forces take control of Hostomel – intelligence |agency=Ukrinform |issue=4 March 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420446-ukrainian-armed-forces-take-control-of-hostomel-intelligence.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305194208/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420446-ukrainian-armed-forces-take-control-of-hostomel-intelligence.html |archive-date=5 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Photos from the battlefield in Gostomel |url=https://gur.gov.ua/content/z-iavylysia-foto-z-mistsia-boiu-v-hostomeli-pid-chas-iakoho-spetspryznachentsi-hur-mo-ukrainy-znyshchyly-znachnu-kilkist-bronetekhniky-voroha.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306022903/https://gur.gov.ua/content/z-iavylysia-foto-z-mistsia-boiu-v-hostomeli-pid-chas-iakoho-spetspryznachentsi-hur-mo-ukrainy-znyshchyly-znachnu-kilkist-bronetekhniky-voroha.html |archive-date=6 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine}}</ref><ref name=":64">{{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 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305082126/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3420412-zsu-vzali-pid-kontrol-gostomel-rozvidka.html |url-status=live}}</ref> An advisor to Zelensky claimed that Russian forces retook control of Hostomel and Bucha on 5 March.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 March 2022 |title=Heavy shelling is heard west and northwest of Kyiv, as two children are reported dead |agency=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-06-22#h_ac4b867234259d19cf7d7f5bd64f344c |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325111648/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-06-22/h_ac4b867234259d19cf7d7f5bd64f344c |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Vasylkiv ====
It has been reported that, on 26 February 2022, Russian paratroopers began an assault on Vasylkiv, {{convert|40|km|mi}} south of Kyiv, to capture a military airbase nearby. A large group of Russian paratrooper units were alleged to have landed near Vasylkiv, despite anti-aircraft fire. The units then advanced to the city and were involved in heavy fighting with the Ukrainian 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade,<ref name="vasylkiv" /><ref name=":4">{{cite news|url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/813813.html|title=Zelensky appoints Pavliuk as Kyiv regional administration head, Moskaliov as JFO commander|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=15 March 2015|access-date=15 March 2015|archive-date=15 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315171523/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/813813.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and were repulsed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Держспецзв'язку |trans-title=State Special Communications |url=https://t.me/dsszzi_official/1005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226095657/https://t.me/dsszzi_official/1005 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=Telegram |language=uk}}</ref> The city's mayor, Natalia Balasinovich, claimed over 200 Ukrainians were injured during the fight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Vasylkiv: why this small Ukrainian town is now a big Russian target |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/vasylkiv-why-this-small-ukrainian-town-is-now-a-big-russian-target |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301042709/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/vasylkiv-why-this-small-ukrainian-town-is-now-a-big-russian-target |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=26 February 2022 |title=Fight for Vasylkiv ends with victory of Ukrainian Armed Forces – official |url=https://en.trend.az/world/europe/3561147.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226095644/https://en.trend.az/world/europe/3561147.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=Trend.Az |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 2022 |title=Mayor of town south of Kyiv speaks of heavy fighting in streets |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-25-22/h_ca4282e1d0f50495bfd2edb6904e3620 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226071407/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-25-22/h_ca4282e1d0f50495bfd2edb6904e3620 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' cited reports by unnamed Ukrainian officials, that at least part of the attackers were sleeper agents who had bought apartments in the city the month before the invasion.<ref name="NYT plane">{{Cite web |last= Gall |first= Carlotta|date=2022-04-02 |title=When the Russians Picked the Wrong Town to Invade|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/world/europe/ukraine-russian-defeat-vasylkiv.html|access-date=2022-08-10 |website=New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
Claims have been made that Ukrainian aircraft shot down two Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft transporting assault troops.<ref name="Ily1">{{cite web |title=Помста за Луганськ 2014: біля Василькова збили ІЛ-76 із ворожими десантниками |date=26 February 2022 |trans-title=Revenge for Luhansk 2014: IL-76 with enemy paratroopers was shot down near Vasylkiv |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/pomsta-za-lugansk-2014-bilya-vasilkova-zbili-il-76-iz-vorozhimi-desantnikami-novini-donbasu-11718625.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226021300/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=www.unian.ua |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |publisher=Unian |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=На Донбасі збили російський вертоліт і штурмовик |trans-title=A Russian helicopter and an attack aircraft were shot down in Donbas |url=https://portal.lviv.ua/news/2022/02/26/na-donbasi-zbyly-rosijskyj-vertolit-i-shturmovyk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227030657/https://portal.lviv.ua/news/2022/02/26/na-donbasi-zbyly-rosijskyj-vertolit-i-shturmovyk |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=portal.lviv.ua |date=26 February 2022 |language=uk}}</ref><ref name="Ily2">{{Cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=US officials say 2 Russian transport planes shot down over Ukraine |work=Times of Israel |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/us-officials-say-2-russian-transport-planes-shot-down-over-ukraine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226095640/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/us-officials-say-2-russian-transport-planes-shot-down-over-ukraine/ |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref> However, ''The Guardian'' reports "no convincing public evidence has surfaced about the two downed planes, or about a drop of paratroopers in Vasylkiv".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Vasylkiv: why this small Ukrainian town is now a big Russian target |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/vasylkiv-why-this-small-ukrainian-town-is-now-a-big-russian-target |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Ukrainian territorial defense units combed the woods and surrounding countryside and found no plane wreckage.<ref name="NYT plane" />
In the early morning of 27 February, a Russian missile struck an oil depot in Vasylkiv, setting it ablaze.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia hits Kyiv Region's Vasylkiv with cruise or ballistic missiles |date=27 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414231-russia-hits-kyiv-regions-vasylkiv-with-cruise-or-ballistic-missiles.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071838/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414231-russia-hits-kyiv-regions-vasylkiv-with-cruise-or-ballistic-missiles.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 March, a Russian rocket attack destroyed the air base.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-12 |title=Russian rockets destroy Ukrainian airbase in Kyiv region: Interfax quoting mayor |language=en |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-rockets-destroy-ukrainian-airbase-kyiv-region-interfax-quoting-mayor-2022-03-12/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313003922/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-rockets-destroy-ukrainian-airbase-kyiv-region-interfax-quoting-mayor-2022-03-12/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Battle of Kyiv ==== {{Main|Battle of Kyiv (2022)}}
On 25 February, Russian fighter aircraft began bombarding central Kyiv.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Trofimov |first1=Yaroslav |last2=Cullison |first2=Alan |last3=Forrest |first3=Brett |last4=Simmons |first4=Ann M. |date=25 February 2022 |title=Russia Bombs Ukraicnian Capital, Kyiv |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-attacks-ukraine-drawing-broad-condemnation-11645682406 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224064523/https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-attacks-ukraine-drawing-broad-condemnation-11645682406 |url-status=live}}</ref> A Ukrainian Su-27 was then shot down.<ref name="Su-27">{{cite web |last=Dress |first=Bradley |date=25 February 2022 |title=Video shows Ukrainian fighter jet shot down over Kyiv, officials say |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/595816-video-shows-ukrainian-fighter-jet-shot-down-over-kyiv-officials-say |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=The Hill |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225165123/https://thehill.com/policy/international/595816-video-shows-ukrainian-fighter-jet-shot-down-over-kyiv-officials-say |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Video shows explosion after fighter jet shot down, official says – CNN Video |agency=CNN |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/25/explosion-kyiv-skies-chance-vpx.cnn |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226101826/https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/25/explosion-kyiv-skies-chance-vpx.cnn |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian saboteurs dressed as Ukrainian soldiers attempted to infiltrate Obolon,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bengali |first1=Shashank |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |title=Russian troops enter the outskirts of Kyiv |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/24/world/russia-attacks-ukraine/russian-troops-enter-the-outskirts-of-kyiv |access-date=25 February 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225112433/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/24/world/russia-attacks-ukraine/russian-troops-enter-the-outskirts-of-kyiv |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news|last1=Trofimov |first1=Yaroslav |last2=Forrest |first2=Brett |date=25 February 2022 |title=Russian Forces Close In on Ukraine's Capital, Bombing Intensifies |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukrainian-capital-rocked-by-explosions-as-russia-intensifies-attack-11645771768 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225162159/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukrainian-capital-rocked-by-explosions-as-russia-intensifies-attack-11645771768 |url-status=live}}</ref> a suburb north of central Kyiv, just {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=off}} from the Verkhovna Rada building (the seat of the Ukrainian parliament), but were all captured or killed by Ukrainian troops.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|last1=Cecil |first1=Nicholas |last2=Burford |first2=Rachel |last3=Bond |first3=David |last4=Stewart |first4=Will |date=25 February 2022 |title=Vladimir Putin's bloody invasion brings terror to Ukraine capital Kyiv |work=London Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/vladimir-putin-invades-kiev-ukraine-war-boris-johnson-nato-b984633.html |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225115346/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/vladimir-putin-invades-kiev-ukraine-war-boris-johnson-nato-b984633.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Army reserves were then activated to defend Kyiv. Gunfire, described by Ukrainian officials as clashes between Ukrainian and Russian troops, was heard in several wards of the city.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Zelenskyy urged residents to engage in urban guerrilla warfare with Molotov cocktails against Russian forces.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 February 2022 |title=Putin tells Ukrainian military to overthrow Zelensky – follow live |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-putin-war-kyiv-invasion-latest-b2022971.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225105510/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-putin-war-kyiv-invasion-latest-b2022971.html |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine-Russia news live: Troops enter Kyiv as Putin makes offer of Minsk peace talks |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-war-live-latest-news-putin-kyiv-invasion-12541713 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225105836/https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-war-live-latest-news-putin-kyiv-invasion-12541713 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |agency=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> Guns were distributed to civilian militias.<ref name="guns" /> The Ukrainian government imposed a curfew on the city the next morning.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Ukraine: Heavy fighting reported in Kyiv outskirts — live updates |date=26 February 2022 |language=en-GB |agency=Deutsche Welle |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-heavy-fighting-reported-in-kyiv-outskirts-live-updates/a-60924798 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226110628/https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-heavy-fighting-reported-in-kyiv-outskirts-live-updates/a-60924798 |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref> Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed around 60 Russian saboteurs in a single day.<ref name="RUcas" />
Simultaneously with the failed assault on Vasylkiv, Russian units began bombarding Kyiv on 26 February with artillery and organized attacks to capture the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant with muddled outcome.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Kyiv hydroelectric power plant controlled by Russian troops – Ifax |language=en |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-crisis-kyiv-hydro-idUKS0N2S1022 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226095649/https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-crisis-kyiv-hydro-idUKS0N2S1022 |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Київська ГЕС повністю під контролем України – міністр енергетики |trans-title=Kyiv HPP is completely under the control of Ukraine – Energy Minister |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/802380.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226095645/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/802380.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |agency=Інтерфакс-Україна |language=uk}}</ref><ref name="repelled">{{cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine military says it repels Russian troops' attack on Kyiv base |language=en |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-attack-kyiv-military-base-are-repelled-ukraine-military-2022-02-26/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226043033/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-attack-kyiv-military-base-are-repelled-ukraine-military-2022-02-26/ |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref> Ukrainian forces regrouped and struck a counter-offensive on the power plant the next day, repulsing Russian forces from the site.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stern |first1=David L. |last2=Dixon |first2=Robyn |last3=Harlan |first3=Chico |last4=Cheng |first4=Amy |last5=Lamothe |first5=Dan |last6=Beachum |first6=Lateshia |last7=Meryl |first7=Kornfield |last8=Paúl |first8=María Luisa |last9=Francis |first9=Ellen |date=26 February 2022 |title=U.S. will sanction Putin as Russian forces close in on Kyiv |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/25/ukraine-invasion-russia-news/#link-TAIGHCFPGRBUVBQRFBISDQJSL4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226004107/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/25/ukraine-invasion-russia-news/#link-TAIGHCFPGRBUVBQRFBISDQJSL4 |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Українські ППО збили націлену в дамбу Київського водосховища ракету – "Укрводшлях" |trans-title=Ukrainian air defense shot down a missile aimed at the dam of the Kyiv reservoir – "Ukrvodshlyakh" |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/802404.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226084939/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/802404.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=Інтерфакс-Україна |language=uk}}</ref> A separate attack on an army base in the city ended in failure.<ref name="repelled" /> Russian forces were reported to be {{convert|19|mi|km|0|order=flip}} from central-Kyiv.<ref name="NYdailynews">{{Cite news |last1=Karmanau |first1=Yuras |last2=Heintz |first2=Jim |last3=Isachenkov |first3=Vladimir |last4=Laporta |first4=James |title=Russians push toward Kyiv, residents take cover; 'We will win,' Zelenskyy says |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny-ukraine-russia-kyiv-20220226-wdpu34vcjzd2dgu5ybfif53cy4-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226200307/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny-ukraine-russia-kyiv-20220226-wdpu34vcjzd2dgu5ybfif53cy4-story.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |issn=2692-1251 |oclc=9541172}}</ref>
Russian airstrikes were made on Vasylkiv and Kyiv on 27 February,<ref>{{cite news |date=27 February 2022 |title=Update on Russian invasion: Vasylkiv hit with Russian missiles, oil depot nearby on fire |publisher=UkrInform |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414231-russia-hits-kyiv-regions-vasylkiv-with-cruise-or-ballistic-missiles.html |url-status=live |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071838/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414231-russia-hits-kyiv-regions-vasylkiv-with-cruise-or-ballistic-missiles.html |archive-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=26 February 2022 |title=Russia hits Ukraine fuel supplies, airfields in new attacks |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-united-nations-edc6df79755195b29473cfd6d38b1ebb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227012359/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-united-nations-edc6df79755195b29473cfd6d38b1ebb |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> including one on a radioactive waste disposal site near Kyiv, albeit the site was unharmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bnonews.com/index.php/2022/02/radioactive-waste-disposal-site-kyiv-hit-by-airstrike/ |title=Radioactive waste disposal site near Kyiv hit by airstrike |author=B. N. O. News |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071846/https://bnonews.com/index.php/2022/02/radioactive-waste-disposal-site-kyiv-hit-by-airstrike/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Another Russian attack group began approaching Kyiv from the northeast after bypassing the city of Chernihiv.<ref name=":7" /> Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, told the Associated Press that Kyiv had been "completely encircled". However, his remarks were retracted shortly after.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ebel |first=Francesca |date=27 February 2022 |title=Kyiv mayor proud of citizens' spirit, anxious about future |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-europe-e9cd115540b398be26dfcaf472ec1621 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228011149/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-europe-e9cd115540b398be26dfcaf472ec1621 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Missile attacks were reported at Brovary on 28 February,<ref>{{cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=As a result of the airstrike in Brovary, six people were injured – the mayor |url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/804064.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228181638/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/804064.html |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=Interfax Ukraine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Trofimov |first=Yaroslav |date=28 February 2022 |title=Ukraine, Russia Fail to Agree on Cease-Fire, as Moscow Shelling Kills Civilians |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kyiv-and-moscow-hold-talks-as-ukrainian-troops-repel-russian-attacks-11646046458 |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228202855/https://www.wsj.com/articles/kyiv-and-moscow-hold-talks-as-ukrainian-troops-repel-russian-attacks-11646046458 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> but Kyiv was relatively free from direct combat.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine War: What to know as Russians advance on Kyiv |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-what-to-know-1c7a5fc5e9cf84134592c855c363e791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301030118/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-what-to-know-1c7a5fc5e9cf84134592c855c363e791 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 2022 |title=Russian military convoy advances on Kyiv as Kharkiv hit hard by shelling |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-invasion-mar1-2022-1.6368172 |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301233051/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-invasion-mar1-2022-1.6368172 |archive-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>
Ukrainian forces claimed the destruction of a Russian column in Makariv,<ref>{{cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Denysenko: Column of Russian military equipment near Makariv, Kyiv region destroyed |url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/803678.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228105323/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/803678.html |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |agency=Interfax Ukraine}}</ref> where fighting had erupted one day earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=У Макарові на Київщині точаться запеклі бої |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3415184-u-makarovi-na-kiivsini-tocatsa-zapekli-boi.html |access-date=10 September 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.ua |date=27 February 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227211127/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3415184-u-makarovi-na-kiivsini-tocatsa-zapekli-boi.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian strikes continued in early March. The Kyiv TV Tower was hit on 1 March.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=Ukraine says Russia targeting civilians as missiles hit Kyiv TV tower |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/ukraine-russia-civilians-missiles-kyiv-tv-tower |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302002515/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/ukraine-russia-civilians-missiles-kyiv-tv-tower |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Strikes were later reported at Rusanivka, Kurenivka, Boiarka, Vyshneve,<ref>{{cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=Piovono bombe sui quartieri di Kiev. Biden: "Putin deve pagare" |trans-title=Bombs are raining down on the neighborhoods of Kyiv. Biden: "Putin must pay" |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/mondo/russi-porte-kiev-capitale-ferro-e-fuoco-2014426.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302191219/https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/mondo/russi-porte-kiev-capitale-ferro-e-fuoco-2014426.html |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=ilGiornale.it |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Novas explosões são ouvidas em Kiev, capital da Ucrânia |trans-title=New explosions are heard in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine |url=https://www.romanews.com.br/noticias/novas-explosoes-sao-ouvidas-em-kiev-capital-da-ucrania/152611/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303220326/https://www.romanews.com.br/noticias/novas-explosoes-sao-ouvidas-em-kiev-capital-da-ucrania/152611/ |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=www.romanews.com.br |date=4 January 2022 |language=pt}}</ref> Vorzel and Markhalivka.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hluschenko |first=Olha |date=5 March 2022 |title=Civilian car shelled near Kyiv: two dead, four injured |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/5/7328379/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308101910/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/5/7328379/ |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=Pravda}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 2022 |title=Russian Air Strike Kills Six People In Village Near Kyiv |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-strike-markhalivka/31736753.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309084730/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-strike-markhalivka/31736753.html |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |agency=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref> while Borodianka was extensively bombed, killing hundreds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Evan |last2=Xiao |first2=Muyi |last3=Khavin |first3=Dmitry |date=1 March 2022 |title=Videos verified by The Times show devastated apartment buildings in a town just northwest of Kyiv |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/01/world/ukraine-russia-war#videos-show-devastated-apartment-buildings-in-a-town-just-northwest-of-kyiv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302024624/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/01/world/ukraine-russia-war#videos-show-devastated-apartment-buildings-in-a-town-just-northwest-of-kyiv |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="allages2" /> The Ukrainian Air Force claimed it had downed two Russian Sukhoi Su-35 over Kyiv on 2 March.<ref name="RUSukhoi" /> Makariv was recaptured on 3 March.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 March 2022 |title=Макарів Київської області звільнено, українські військові там закріпилися – Генштаб |newspaper=Радіо Свобода |trans-title=Makariv of Kyiv region was released, the Ukrainian military was established there – the General Staff |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-makariv-zvilnennia-zaluzhnyi/31732592.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303220331/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-makariv-zvilnennia-zaluzhnyi/31732592.html |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Radio Svoboda |language=Ukrainian }}</ref> Ukrainian reports from Kyiv believed the Russian army had begun to surround the city with tanks from Belarus,<ref>{{cite web |title=Klitschko: Large number of tanks coming in from Belarus, Kyiv preparing for defense |date=2 March 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417885-klitschko-large-number-of-tanks-coming-in-from-belarus-kyiv-preparing-for-defense.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303235527/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417885-klitschko-large-number-of-tanks-coming-in-from-belarus-kyiv-preparing-for-defense.html |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |language=en |agency=Ukrinform}}</ref> in an attempt to enforce a blockade.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kyiv Mayor Klitschko Says Russian Troops Plan To Surround City, Vows To Fight |newspaper=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-mayor-klitschko-interview-russian-attack/31732331.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303235532/https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-mayor-klitschko-interview-russian-attack/31732331.html |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |language=en |agency=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty|last1=Time |first1=Current}}</ref> In early March 2022, the Ukrainians claimed the destruction of 120 tanks in one day, reportedly "when Russian tank columns stalled on roads to Kyiv, got hit with massed artillery barrages and modern anti-tank missiles dropped by plane-sized drones or fired by infantry teams."<ref>[https://www.kyivpost.com/post/28489 After Two Years Russia Resorts to Throwing Ancient Tanks into Battle – It May Not Be Enough]</ref>
thumb|A Russian armored column near Kyiv, 7 March Estonian intelligence estimated that the advancing Russian convoy would arrive at Kyiv in at least two days.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 2022 |title=Intelligence chief: Russian forces likely to reach Kyiv in next 2 days |work=Eesti Rahvusringhääling |url=https://news.err.ee/1608518066/intelligence-chief-russian-forces-likely-to-reach-kyiv-in-next-2-days |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303235528/https://news.err.ee/1608518066/intelligence-chief-russian-forces-likely-to-reach-kyiv-in-next-2-days |archive-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> On 4 March, an armored Russian column from the Sumy Oblast reportedly reached near Brovary.<ref name=":9">{{cite web |date=4 March 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 4 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307181451/https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> Clashes remained throughout the Kyiv Oblast by 8 March.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 March 2022 |title=13-й день війни. Обстановка залишається напруженою, точаться жорстокі бої |language=uk |work=Novy Chas |url=https://nv.ua/ukr/viyna-v-ukrajini-shcho-vidbuvayetsya-u-mariupoli-harkovi-ta-navkolo-kiyeva-boji-novini-ukrajini-50223284.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314145241/https://nv.ua/ukr/opinion/viyna-v-ukrajini-shcho-vidbuvayetsya-u-mariupoli-harkovi-ta-navkolo-kiyeva-boji-novini-ukrajini-50223284.html |archive-date=14 March 2022}}</ref> Russian forces advanced on the highway between Zhytomyr and Kyiv, threatening Fastiv. Russian tanks reached within a few kilometres from Kyiv on 9 March,<ref>{{cite news |date=10 March 2022 |title=Russian Tanks Advance Towards Kyiv, Civilians Help Guard Checkpoints |publisher=NDTV |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-war-russian-tanks-just-few-kilometers-away-from-kyiv-ukraine-2813971 |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313052521/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-war-russian-tanks-just-few-kilometers-away-from-kyiv-ukraine-2813971 |archive-date=13 March 2022}}</ref> but were attacked by Ukrainian forces during the night.<ref>{{cite news |last=Glushchenko |first=Olga |date=10 March 2022 |title=Украинская армия совершила под Киевом контратаку и уничтожила 5 вражеских танков – МВД |language=Russian |trans-title=Ukrainian army made a counterattack near Kyiv and destroyed 5 enemy tanks – Ministry of Internal Affairs |agency=Ukrayinska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/03/10/7329972/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313050643/https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/03/10/7329972/ |archive-date=13 March 2022}}</ref>
On 10 March, Ukrainian forces claimed that the Azov Special Operations Detachment and the 72nd Mechanized Brigade ambushed the 6th Tank Regiment and 239th Tank Regiments of the 90th Guards Tank Division in Brovary, inflicting heavy losses, including killing the 6th Tank Regiment's commander, Colonel Andrei Zakharo, forcing them to retreat.<ref name="independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-tanks-destroyed-ukraine-commander-b2033005.html |title=Ukrainian ambush destroys Russian tanks and 'kills top commander Colonel Andrei Zakharov' |first=Lamiat |last=Sabin |work=The Independent |date=10 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313043940/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-tanks-destroyed-ukraine-commander-b2033005.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Brovarsky" />
==== Fighting at Bucha and Irpin ==== {{Main|Battle of Bucha|Battle of Irpin}}
thumb|A destroyed Russian convoy in Bucha On 25 February, due a lack of communications with the main invasion command, a convoy of special police units OMON and SOBR from the Kemerovo Oblast accidentally separated from the invasion forces and ended up charging and spearheading the attack at Kyiv by themselves. The convoy was spotted by local transit CCTV cameras and were ambushed by local Ukrainian forces using anti-tank missiles and mortars at a bridge over the Irpin River, and the unarmored and under-equipped units were completely destroyed. Reportedly, of the 80 soldiers in the convoy, only 3 survived.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=McMillan |first=Tim |date=20 May 2022 |title=Know No Mercy: The Russian Cops Who Tried To Storm Kyiv By Themselves |url=https://thedebrief.org/know-no-mercy-the-russian-cops-who-tried-to-storm-kyiv-by-themselves/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=The Debrief |language=en-US |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124190054/https://thedebrief.org/know-no-mercy-the-russian-cops-who-tried-to-storm-kyiv-by-themselves/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Fighting neared Bucha on 27 February, as the 36th Combined Arms Army and Russian special police forces approached the city.<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 |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023432/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-warning-update-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-27-2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 February 2022 |title=Blasts heard in Kyiv, fighting reported in vicinity |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/blast-heard-kyiv-after-air-raid-alert-reuters-witness-2022-02-27/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227065249/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/blast-heard-kyiv-after-air-raid-alert-reuters-witness-2022-02-27/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/ukrainian-military-blow-up-bridge-outside-of-kyiv-to-slow-down-russian-troops/ |title=Ukrainian military blow up bridge outside of Kyiv to slow down Russian troops |work=Kyiv Independent |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227102439/https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/ukrainian-military-blow-up-bridge-outside-of-kyiv-to-slow-down-russian-troops/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Russia hits Kyiv Region's Vasylkiv with cruise or ballistic missiles |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414231-russia-hits-kyiv-regions-vasylkiv-with-cruise-or-ballistic-missiles.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=27 February 2022 |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071838/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414231-russia-hits-kyiv-regions-vasylkiv-with-cruise-or-ballistic-missiles.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian artillery began bombarding the city at the same time,<ref name="tsn">{{Cite news |date=28 February 2022 |title=Немає води та зв'язку: жителі Бучі розповіли про ситуацію у місті після обстрілів |work=TCH |url=https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/nemaye-vodi-ta-zv-yazku-zhiteli-buchi-rozpovili-pro-situaciyu-u-misti-pislya-obstriliv-1992310.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306021956/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/nemaye-vodi-ta-zv-yazku-zhiteli-buchi-rozpovili-pro-situaciyu-u-misti-pislya-obstriliv-1992310.html |archive-date=6 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="konkurent">{{Cite news |date=27 February 2022 |title=У Бучі під Києвом тривають бої, колона ворога проривається до столиці (відео) |work=Konkurent |url=https://konkurent.ua/publication/89824/u-buchi-pid-kievom-trivaut-boi-kolona-voroga-prorivaetsya-do-stolitsi-video/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306151710/https://konkurent.ua/publication/89824/u-buchi-pid-kievom-trivaut-boi-kolona-voroga-prorivaetsya-do-stolitsi-video/ |archive-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> causing several civilian casualties, reportedly also wounding the mayor of Bucha, Anatoliy Fedoruk.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nava |first=Victor I. |date=7 March 2022 |title=Ukraine denounces Russian operated 'humanitarian corridors' amid reports it violated previous ceasefire |work=The Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/russia-announces-ceasefire-in-four-ukrainian-cities-amid-reports-it-violated-previous-agreement |url-status=live |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307182625/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/russia-announces-ceasefire-in-four-ukrainian-cities-amid-reports-it-violated-previous-agreement |archive-date=7 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |last=Roshchina |first=Olena |date=7 March 2022 |title=Російські військові вбили голову Гостомеля і поранили мера Бучі |language=Ukrainian |trans-title=Russian military killed Gostomel and wounded Bucha mayor |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/7/7329025/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307143823/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/7/7329025/ |archive-date=7 March 2022}}</ref> As fighting developed, Russian breakthroughs allowed units to advance to Irpin.<ref name="Critical Threats" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Орлова |first=Віолетта |date=27 February 2022 |title=Бої за Ірпінь, Бучу, та Гостомель: що відбувається в цих населених пунктах на Київщині |agency=UNIAN |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/boji-za-irpin-buchu-ta-gostomel-shcho-vidbuvayetsya-v-cih-naselenih-punktah-na-kijivshchini-novini-donbasu-11720740.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301150154/https://www.unian.ua/war/boji-za-irpin-buchu-ta-gostomel-shcho-vidbuvayetsya-v-cih-naselenih-punktah-na-kijivshchini-novini-donbasu-11720740.html |archive-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>
Ukrainian forces used artillery to shell Russian convoys to halt the advance,<ref name=":23">{{Cite news |date=27 February 2022 |title=Advisor to the President of Ukraine: Russian invaders broke through into Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomil, their advance was stopped |work=Ukrainska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/27/7326440/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305212306/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/27/7326440/ |archive-date=5 March 2022}}</ref> and destroyed a bridge linking Bucha and Irpin.<ref name=":8b" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Горбач |first=Наталія |date=27 February 2022 |title=Колона окупантів заблокована: ЗСУ підірвали міст між Бучею та Ірпенем (ВІДЕО) |work=Depo Kyiv |url=https://kyiv.depo.ua/ukr/kyiv/kolona-okupantiv-zablokovana-zsu-pidirvali-mist-mizh-bucheyu-ta-irpenem-video-202202271429488 |url-status=live |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306151704/https://kyiv.depo.ua/ukr/kyiv/kolona-okupantiv-zablokovana-zsu-pidirvali-mist-mizh-bucheyu-ta-irpenem-video-202202271429488 |archive-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> According to the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushin, Russian forces were trapped and destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Новини України: Ірпінь зачистили від російських окупантів |trans-title=Ukraine News: Irpin cleared of Russian occupiers |url=https://galinfo.com.ua/news/irpin_zachystyly_vid_rosiyskyh_okupantiv_381206.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227101733/https://galinfo.com.ua/news/irpin_zachystyly_vid_rosiyskyh_okupantiv_381206.html |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=Гал-інфо |language=uk}}</ref> Ukrainian forces engaged and destroyed an armored column on 28 February.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ворона |first=Галина |date=28 February 2022 |title=У Бучі знищили колону ворожої техніки – відео від мера Федорука |work=Big Kyiv |url=https://bigkyiv.com.ua/u-buchi-znyshhyly-kolonu-vorozhoyi-tehniky-video-vid-mera-fedoruka/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306021959/https://bigkyiv.com.ua/u-buchi-znyshhyly-kolonu-vorozhoyi-tehniky-video-vid-mera-fedoruka/ |archive-date=6 March 2022}}</ref>
Irpin was struck by missiles on 2 March.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tim Lister |author2=Katie Polglase |author3=Celine Al-Khaldi |date=2 March 2022 |title=There's extensive damage and casualties following clashes on the outskirts of Kyiv |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-02-22/h_b5bc80f7aa24347cdc4c0fb4cff3b8f2 |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303220327/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-02-22/h_b5bc80f7aa24347cdc4c0fb4cff3b8f2 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian forces attacked a Ukrainian checkpoint in Yasnohorodka on 6 March.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.adnkronos.com/guerra-ucraina-prosegue-offensiva-russia-colloquio-tra-biden-e-zelensky_3bFLGujAGSFp5rpwEERYcG |title=Guerra Ucraina-Russia, attacchi sui civili: stop evacuazioni a Mariupol |trans-title=Ukraine-Russia war, attacks on civilians: evacuations stop in Mariupol |work=Adnkronos |date=6 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=Italian |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307104114/https://www.adnkronos.com/guerra-ucraina-prosegue-offensiva-russia-colloquio-tra-biden-e-zelensky_3bFLGujAGSFp5rpwEERYcG |url-status=live}}</ref> Markushin had refused requests by Russian forces to surrender the town.<ref>{{cite news |title="Irpin can't be bought, Irpin fights": Mayor refuses Russian demand to surrender |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-08-22#h_e09d49888fcb2a07b8f1a95d6f2b0faa |access-date=8 March 2022 |agency=CNN |date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309070545/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-08-22/h_e09d49888fcb2a07b8f1a95d6f2b0faa |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Encirclement of Chernihiv ==== {{Further|Siege of Chernihiv}} At 06:00 on 24 February, the Russian military crossed the Ukrainian border into the Chernihiv Oblast from both Russia and Belarus, at Hremiach, {{ill|Mykolaivka, Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Mykolaivka|uk|Миколаївка (Новгород-Сіверський район)}}, Senkivka, {{ill|Derevyny|uk|Деревини}} and {{ill|Ilmivka|uk|Ільмівка}}.<ref>{{cite web|language=uk|first=Oleksandr|last=Pasichnyi|date=20 July 2022|access-date=16 January 2025|website=Я Чернігівець|title=Російсько-українська війна: як Чернігівщина тримала удар та звільнилася від окупантів|url=https://ichernihivets.com/uk/articles-rosijsko-ukrayinska-vijna-yak-chernigivshhyna-trymala-udar-ta-zvilnylasya-vid-okupantiv}}</ref>
At the onset of the Russian invasion, Major General Viktor Nikoliuk, head of the Ukrainian Operational Command North, ordered the 1st Tank Brigade to defend Chernihiv, and sent the 58th Motorized Brigade to Baturyn and Hlukhiv in order to stop the Russian advance on the major highway there. The 1st Brigade failed to reach a planned defensive line at Ripky and Horodnia on time, though it still managed to stall the Russian advance north of Chernihiv and began to fortify the city. Meanwhile, the 58th Brigade was outnumbered and forced to retreat, first to Konotop and then to {{ill|Vertiivka|uk|Вертіївка (Ніжинський район)}} and {{ill|Kipti|uk|Кіпті}}, where it took up the defense of the area south of Chernihiv.<ref name=nikoliuk>{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=2024-04-24|title=Командувач ОК "Північ" Віктор Ніколюк: У російського командування працює принцип Жукова "бабы еще нарожают"|url=https://censor.net/ua/resonance/3373780/komanduvach_ok_pivnich_viktor_nikolyuk_u_rosiyiskogo_komanduvannya_pratsyuye_pryntsyp_jukova_bab_esche|date=2022-10-14}}</ref>
Near Chernihiv, Russian forces struck Pivka airfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/210151-rosia-vtorglasa-v-ukrainu-situacia-na-cernigivsini-tekstova-translacia/|title=Russia invaded Ukraine. The situation in Chernihiv region. TEXT BROADCAST|publisher=Suspilne|first=Tatiana|last=Krizheva|date=24 February 2022|access-date=25 April 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225080945/https://suspilne.media/210739-drugij-den-zbrojnogo-napadu-cernigivsina-tekstova-translacia/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Ukrainian military said its forces had stopped Russian columns near Baturyn and on the outskirts of Chernihiv, near the villages of {{ill|Velyki Osniaky|uk|Великі Осняки}} and {{ill|Rivnopillia|uk|Рівнопілля (Чернігівський район)}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://odessa-journal.com/putin-launched-a-large-scale-invasion-of-ukraine-the-aggressor-shells-odessa/|title=1st day of War. Chronicles. Putin launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine|publisher=Odessa Journal|date=24 February 2022|access-date=25 April 2022|archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425065504/https://odessa-journal.com/putin-launched-a-large-scale-invasion-of-ukraine-the-aggressor-shells-odessa/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="vehicles24">{{Cite news |date=23 February 2022 |title=General Staff: Battles ongoing along border, 20 Russian helicopters land near Kyiv |agency=Ukrinform |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3411880-general-staff-battles-ongoing-along-border-20-russian-helicopters-land-near-kyiv.html |access-date=8 April 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225013715/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3411880-general-staff-battles-ongoing-along-border-20-russian-helicopters-land-near-kyiv.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
By the second day, Russian forces were present in or near Snovsk, Sosnytsia, Mena, Semenivka, Horodnia, Koriukivka and Novhorod-Siverskyi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/210739-drugij-den-zbrojnogo-napadu-cernigivsina-tekstova-translacia/|title=The second day of the armed attack. Chernihiv region. TEXT BROADCAST|publisher=Suspilne|first=Tatiana|last=Krizheva|date=25 February 2022|access-date=27 April 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225210649/https://suspilne.media/210739-drugij-den-zbrojnogo-napadu-cernigivsina-tekstova-translacia/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 1 March, the governor of Chernihiv Oblast, Vyacheslav Chaus, stated that every access point to the city of Chernihiv was heavily mined, urging civilians to exercise caution.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 March 2022 |title=Columns of Belarusian forces heading towards Ukraine's Chernihiv: Kyiv |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/columns-of-belarusian-forces-heading-towards-ukraines-chernihiv-kyiv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303234239/https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/columns-of-belarusian-forces-heading-towards-ukraines-chernihiv-kyiv |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=Daily Sabah |publisher=Turkuvaz Gazete Dergi Basim A.S.}}</ref>
On 10 March, Chernihiv Mayor Vladyslav Atroshenko said that Russian forces had completed the encirclement of Chernihiv, adding that the city was completely isolated and critical infrastructure for its 300,000 residents was rapidly failing as it came under repeated bombardment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine Live Updates: Russian Forces Encircle Some Cities as Diplomacy Falters |newspaper=The New York Times|date=10 March 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/10/world/ukraine-russia-war?smid=tw-nytimesworld&smtyp=cur#chernihiv-russia-troops |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313052912/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/10/world/ukraine-russia-war?smid=tw-nytimesworld&smtyp=cur#chernihiv-russia-troops |url-status=live |last1=Santora|first1=Marc}}</ref>
==== Operations in other northern regions ==== {{Further|Battle of Sumy}}
A column of Russian military vehicles crossed the international border at the {{ill|Bachivsk|uk|Бачівськ}} checkpoint in the Sumy Oblast around 5:00 on 24 February.<ref name=Hlukhiv58>{{cite web |date=2022-03-13 |title=Загинув під знаком Червоного Хреста в перший день війни… |url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2022/03/13/zagynuv-pid-znakom-chervonogo-hresta-v-pershyj-den-vijny/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Армія.inform |language=uk}}</ref><ref name=PutinAtakuvav /> Units of Ukraine's 58th Motorized Brigade engaged the Russians outside the city of Hlukhiv, halting the column.<ref name=Hlukhiv58 /><ref>{{cite web|title=Російські війська зробили спробу прориву кордону в районі Бачівська і були зупинені біля Глухова|url=https://hlukhiv.info/rosijski-vijska-zrobyly-sprobu-proryvu-kordonu-v-rajoni-bachivska-i-buly-zupynni-bilya-gluhova/|website=Глухів.info|language=uk|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref> The Ukrainian military claimed to have neutralized the column outside of Hlukhiv using Javelin anti-tank missiles,<ref>{{cite web|title=У районі Глухова на Сумщині ЗСУ знешкодили колону техніки РФ з 15 танків|url=https://suspilne.media/210452-u-rajoni-gluhova-na-sumsini-zsu-zneskodili-kolonu-tehniki-rf-z-15-tankiv/|website=Суспільне. Новини|language=uk|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=В районі Глухова військові знешкодили колонну техніки РФ|url=https://hlukhiv.info/v-rajoni-gluhova-vijskovi-zastosuvaly-zneshkodyly-kolonnu-tehniky-rf/|website=Глухів.info|language=uk|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref> but by 14:30 on 24 February, the governor of the Sumy Oblast acknowledged that Russian forces were in control of the entire length of the Kyiv–Moscow highway in the Sumy Oblast, up until Baturyn in the Chernihiv Oblast.<ref name=HlukhivM02>{{cite web|title=В Охтирці тривають бої, російські війська контролюють частину траси М02 та зайшли до Сум - голова ОДА|url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/801411.html|website=Інтерфакс-Україна|language=uk|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2022-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2022-02-24 |title=Генштаб ЗСУ повідомив про зупинення танкової атаки на Сумщині |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/vtorhnennya-rosiyi-boyi-sumshchyna/31720976.html |access-date=2022-02-26 |agency=Радіо Свобода |language=uk}}</ref> Due to the destruction of the bridge over the Seim River outside of Baturyn by Ukrainian forces,<ref name=book3>{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=15 January 2024|website={{ill|АрміяInform|uk| АрміяInform}}|date=27 February 2023|author=Центр досліджень воєнної історії ЗСУ|url=https://armyinform.com.ua/wp-content/documents/book3.pdf|title=На захисті Сумщини: оборона і визволення Сумщини (лютий - квітень 2022 р.)}}</ref> Russian forces were forced to use alternative routes to Kyiv, taking a detour through Konotop, Bakhmach, and Plysky.<ref name=kruty>{{cite web|url=https://texty.org.ua/articles/109069/bij-pid-krutamy-sto-rokiv-potomu-28-ljutoho-2022-roku-tam-znovu-rjatuvaly-kyyiv/|title=Бій під Крутами 100 років потому. 28 лютого 2022 року там розгромили росіян|language=uk|access-date=15 January 2024|website=Texty.org.ua|first=Юлія|last=Семенець|date=28 March 2023}}</ref>
A separate Russian advance into Sumy Oblast on 24 February attacked the city of Sumy, just {{convert|35|km|mi}} from the Russo-Ukrainian border. The Russian advance bogged down in urban fighting, and Ukrainian forces successfully held the city. According to Ukrainian sources, more than 100 Russian tanks, 20 Grad MLRs and eight tanker trucks were destroyed and dozens of soldiers were captured.<ref name=":03" />
Russian forces entered Sumy Oblast from Russia on the morning of 24 February. Two Russian tank columns crossing the border at Grayvoron and Popivka reached Velyka Pysarivka at 08:00.<ref name=SuspilneSumy24Feb>{{cite web|title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень перший. Онлайн|url=https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/|website=Суспільне. Новини|language=uk|date=2022-03-03|access-date=2022-03-03}}</ref> Clashes broke out in Okhtyrka between 12:00-14:00 as a Russian column attempted to pass through the city.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=30 March 2022|title=Між похоронами, бомбами й весіллями. Як виживає місто-герой Охтирка |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2022/03/30/7335794/ |access-date=2022-04-06 |agency=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref> Russian forces attacked Okhtyrka by 14:25,<ref name=SuspilneSumy24Feb /> deploying thermobaric weapons;<ref name="unianberdyansk">{{cite news |last=Polyakovskaya |first=Tanya |date=26 February 2022 |script-title=ru:Российская военная техника заняла территорию бывшего аэропорта "Бердянск" – горсовет |language=ru |trans-title=Russian military equipment occupied the territory of the former airport "Berdyansk" – city council |publisher=Berdyansk City Council |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |url=https://www.unian.net/war/rossiyskaya-voennaya-tehnika-zanyala-territoriyu-byvshego-aeroporta-berdyansk-gorsovet-novosti-donbassa-11719648.html |access-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226195413/https://www.unian.net/war/rossiyskaya-voennaya-tehnika-zanyala-territoriyu-byvshego-aeroporta-berdyansk-gorsovet-novosti-donbassa-11719648.html |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref> Russian assaults on the city were repelled by territorial defense fighters and Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade.<ref name=SuspilneSumy24Feb /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_sumschina-v-oblozi-rosijska-tehnika-sune-na-kiyiv/1072482|language=uk|access-date=11 June 2024|date=25 February 2024|title=Сумщина в облозі: російська техніка суне на Київ|website=Gazeta.ua}}</ref><ref name=93rdMechanized>{{cite web |last=Uliana |first=Hentosh |title="New fire from Kholodnyi Yar." How the 93rd Brigade fights |website=Ukraїner |date=2023-11-08 |url=https://www.ukrainer.net/new-fire-from-kholodnyi-yar-how-the-93rd-brigade-fights/ |access-date=2024-01-08}}</ref> On the evening of February 24, two convoys of Russian soldiers coming from the cities of Nedryhailiv and Konotop made their way in the direction of Romny.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/?|title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. ОНЛАЙН|date=March 3, 2022|website=Суспільне | Новини|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=March 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304133456/https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Russia's 4th Guards Tank Division first entered the city of Trostianets in Sumy Oblast shortly after noon on 24 February.<ref name=RFERLTrostianets>{{Cite news |last=Pahulych |first=Roman |date=30 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian Forces Recapture Eastern Town Near Russian Border |agency=Radio Free Europe |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401132022/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=SpiegelTrostianets>{{Cite news |last=Reuter |first=Christoph |date=2022-03-29 |title=(S+) Ukraine: Wie die Stadt Trostjanez nach vier Wochen von den Russen befreit wurde |language=de |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-wie-die-stadt-trostjanez-nach-vier-wochen-von-den-russen-befreit-wurde-a-74075128-0bdd-4841-9724-90e47d69ad3f |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329114530/https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-wie-die-stadt-trostjanez-nach-vier-wochen-von-den-russen-befreit-wurde-a-74075128-0bdd-4841-9724-90e47d69ad3f |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=F24Trostianets>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Russians leave behind wreckage, hunger in Ukraine town of Trostyanets |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=France 24 |publisher=Agence France-Presse |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330200242/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |url-status=live}}</ref> There were no Ukrainian military units in the city,<ref name=currenttimeTrostianets>{{cite web |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/bolnitsa-rasstrelyana-iz-minometov-tankov-vidimo-eto-byl-samyy-voennyy-obekt-kak-vyglyadit-trostyanets-posle-30-dney-okkupatsii-rossiey/31778055.html |title="Больница расстреляна из танков, минометов: видимо, это был самый военный объект". Как выглядит Тростянец после 30 дней оккупации Россией |date=2022-03-30 |publisher=Настоящее время |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209194550/https://www.currenttime.tv/a/bolnitsa-rasstrelyana-iz-minometov-tankov-vidimo-eto-byl-samyy-voennyy-obekt-kak-vyglyadit-trostyanets-posle-30-dney-okkupatsii-rossiey/31778055.html |archive-date=2023-12-09 |language=ru |url-status=live}}</ref> and due to a lack of weapons, the local territorial defense unit had elected to disperse and engage in partisan combat.<ref name=SpiegelTrostianets /><ref name=GuardianTrostianets>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=5 April 2022 |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405181741/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian tank columns moved westward through the city on their way towards Kyiv.<ref name=SpiegelTrostianets /><ref name=NYTTrostianets>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |title='This is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation |work=The New York Times |date=3 April 2022 |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |last3=Hicks |first3=Tyler}}</ref>
In the early hours of 2 March, the Sumy administration claimed that about 100 Russian military vehicles, mainly tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs), had been destroyed in the village of {{ill|Byshkin|uk|Бишкінь (село)}}.<ref name="Суспільне">{{Cite news |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-03 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. ОНЛАЙН |language=uk-UA |work=Суспільне {{!}} Новини |url=https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/ |access-date=2022-03-29}}</ref>
Russian forces moved west along highways from Sumy, reaching Brovary, an eastern suburb of Kyiv, on 4 March.<ref name="ISW 4MAR" /> In an assessment of the campaign on 4 March, Frederick Kagan wrote that the "Sumy axis is currently the most successful and dangerous Russian avenue of advance on Kyiv." He noted that the geography favored mechanized advances as the terrain "is flat and sparsely populated, offering few good defensive positions."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kagan |first1=Frederick |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 4 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |access-date=5 March 2022 |work=CriticalThreats |date=5 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306142245/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Institute for the Study of War, since Russian forces failed to secure any new territory in the theater after 8 March, it was possible that they had redeployed forces from eastern Kyiv to defend against Ukrainian counterattacks in Sumy Oblast.<ref>[https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-11 Institute for the Study of War] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313194622/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-11 |date=2022-03-13}} - RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 11. Retrieved 12 March 2022</ref>
Throughout the battle at Kyiv Oblast, the Zhytomyr Oblast was also affected. Russian forces operating nearby Kyiv had advanced some {{Convert|20|mi|km|abbr=out}} into the oblast towards {{ill|Bihun, Ukraine|lt=Bihun|uk|Бігунь}} and Ovruch as of 3 March. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that two Russian BTGs were within the territory of Zhytomyr Oblast.<ref name="zhytomyr2">{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 3 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-3 |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303215143/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-3 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Battle of Konotop 24.jpg|thumb|A Russian 9K114 Shturm destroyed in Konotop, 24–25 February]]
Ukrainian forces repelled an attack by a column of up to 300 Russian vehicles on Konotop late on 24 February,<ref name="vehicles24" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://konotop.in.ua/konotop-zalishayetsya-pid-kontrolem-ukrayini-video/ |title=Конотоп залишається під контролем України + ВІДЕО|language=uk|trans-title=Konotop is under control of Ukraine |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225234253/https://konotop.in.ua/konotop-zalishayetsya-pid-kontrolem-ukrayini-video/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and Russian forces reportedly retreated from the city of Sumy in the early hours of the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 2022 |title=Ворог відступив: у Сумах біля кадетського корпусу закінчився переможний бій |url=https://24tv.ua/vorog-vidstupiv-sumah-bilya-kadetskogo-korpusu-zakinchivsya-peremozhniy_n1877934 |publisher=Channel 24 |access-date=27 February 2022 |author=Oles Drukach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225034955/https://24tv.ua/vorog-vidstupiv-sumah-bilya-kadetskogo-korpusu-zakinchivsya-peremozhniy_n1877934 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |language=uk}}</ref> However, the Russian military claimed later on 25 February that it had encircled both cities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 2022 |title=Russian invasion of Ukraine enters third day: What we know so far |agency=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/26/russia-invasion-ukraine-enters-third-day-what-we-know-so-far |access-date=8 April 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328200305/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/26/russia-invasion-ukraine-enters-third-day-what-we-know-so-far |url-status=live}}</ref> Outside of Konotop, Ukraine's military said that Russian troops were experiencing "problems with fuel and supply" and had suffered heavy losses,<ref name="poorly">{{Cite news|title=Russian troops stop near northeast city of Konotop -Ukraine's land forces|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-stop-near-northeast-city-konotop-ukraines-land-forces-2022-02-25/|access-date=25 February 2022|website=Reuters|date=25 February 2022|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305065354/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-stop-near-northeast-city-konotop-ukraines-land-forces-2022-02-25/|url-status=live}}</ref> though later statements from Ukrainian officials suggested that Ukrainian forces lost control over the city later that day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ward |first=Alexander |title='Almost not possible' for Ukraine to win without West's help, Ukraine official says |language=en |work=Politico |url=https://politi.co/3LWSyC5 |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226175146/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2022/02/25/almost-not-possible-for-ukraine-to-win-00011969 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="informIvankiv" />
On 25 February, battles began in the outskirts of Okhtyrka around 7:30 from the direction of the village of Velyka Pysarivka.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ведеться бій в Охтирці, можливий артобстріл – Живицький |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-ohtyrka/31722548.html |agency=Радіо Свобода |language=uk |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226180423/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-ohtyrka/31722548.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Russian forces were unable to occupy Okhtyrka, and retreated the following day, leaving behind tanks and equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://molbuk.ua/news/249470-v-okhtyrci-rosiiski-okupanty-pokydaly-btry-ta-rozbiglysia-gerashchenko.html|title=В Охтирці російські окупанти покидали БТРи та розбіглися — Геращенко|website=Новини Чернівці: Інформаційний портал «Молодий буковинець»|language=uk|date=25 February 2022|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023027/https://molbuk.ua/news/249470-v-okhtyrci-rosiiski-okupanty-pokydaly-btry-ta-rozbiglysia-gerashchenko.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 26 February, clashes occurred in Sumy between Russian forces and Territorial Defense Forces throughout the day.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine's Sumy city says fighting under way on streets |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-sumy-fighting-idUKKBN2KV0C0 |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227082437/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-sumy-fighting-idUKKBN2KV0C0 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian forces reportedly managed to capture half of the city during the day, but Ukrainian forces repelled the attackers according to a Ukrainian official.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Суми повністю перейшли під контроль України, Чернігів тримається — Арестович |url=https://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/events/viyna-v-ukrajini-sumi-povnistyu-pereyshli-pid-kontrol-ukrajini-novini-ukrajini-50220396.html |date=26 February 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |work=Novy Chas |language=uk |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302215616/https://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/events/viyna-v-ukrajini-sumi-povnistyu-pereyshli-pid-kontrol-ukrajini-novini-ukrajini-50220396.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Three civilians were reportedly killed in shelling on Sumy.<ref name="26Feb1">{{Cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=При обстрілах Сум загинули троє – Панорама |url=https://rama.com.ua/pri-obstrilah-sum-zaginuli-troie/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227151459/https://rama.com.ua/pri-obstrilah-sum-zaginuli-troie/ |author=Irina Vlasova |url-status=live |work=Gazeta Panorama}}</ref> Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the governor of Sumy Oblast, stated that six civilians were killed and 55 wounded in Russian shelling on Okhtyrka.<ref name="26Feb2">{{cite news |title=Швидкі не підпускають. Під Сумами російські танки розстріляли автобус із цивільними — ОДА |url=https://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/events/pod-sumami-rossiyskie-tanki-rasstrelyali-avtobus-s-grazhdanskimi-oga-50220517.html |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |work=Novy Chas |language=uk |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302021132/https://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/events/pod-sumami-rossiyskie-tanki-rasstrelyali-avtobus-s-grazhdanskimi-oga-50220517.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian forces west of Sumy reportedly advanced further westwards by the night, and were apparently {{convert|150|km|mi}} from Kyiv.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine|title=Russian forces advance on Kyiv: fighting on fourth day of invasion|author=Dan Sabbagh|work=The Guardian|date=27 February 2022|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227203050/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine|url-status=live}}</ref> BM-27 Uragan missiles hit a school in Okhtyrka,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Katerina Rodak |title=В Охтирці росіяни обстріляли дитячий садок та сховище з людьми |url=https://zaxid.net/v_ohtirtsi_rosiyani_obstrilyali_dityachiy_sadok_ta_shovishhe_n1536846 |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=Zaxid.net |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226060812/https://zaxid.net/v_ohtirtsi_rosiyani_obstrilyali_dityachiy_sadok_ta_shovishhe_n1536846 |url-status=live |language=uk}}</ref> killing a guard and injuring an unknown number of children and a teacher. However, Ukrainian forces put up heavy resistance, forcing the Russians to retreat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=В Охтирці російські окупанти покидали БТРи та розбіглися — Геращенко |url=https://molbuk.ua/news/249470-v-okhtyrci-rosiiski-okupanty-pokydaly-btry-ta-rozbiglysia-gerashchenko.html |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Новини Чернівці: Інформаційний портал «Молодий буковинець» |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023027/https://molbuk.ua/news/249470-v-okhtyrci-rosiiski-okupanty-pokydaly-btry-ta-rozbiglysia-gerashchenko.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
Between February 26 and 27, more Russian vehicles headed towards Romny from Krasnopillia, bypassing Sumy. A second convoy was bombed by Ukrainian forces before it reached Romny.<ref name="Ворожа техніка через Сумщину">{{Cite web|title=Ворожа техніка через Сумщину продовжує курс на Київ. Тривають бої|url=https://suspilne.media/211572-voroza-tehnika-cerez-sumsinu-prodovzue-kurs-na-kiiv-trivaut-boi/|website=Суспільне. Новини|date=2022-02-27|accessdate=2022-03-05|language=uk|first=Лілія|last=Христенко|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329210335/https://suspilne.media/211572-voroza-tehnika-cerez-sumsinu-prodovzue-kurs-na-kiiv-trivaut-boi/}}</ref> Ukrainian forces allegedly destroyed some Russian tanks outside of Trostianets on 27 February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title="Ласкаво просимо в пекло": у Тростянці знищили російську військову техніку |trans-title='Welcome to hell': Russian military equipment was captured from Trostianets |url=https://kontrakty.ua/article/193333 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228003226/https://kontrakty.ua/article/193333 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Контракты.UA |language=RU}}</ref>
Also on 27 February, a number of Russian vehicles advanced into Sumy from the east, while two women were reportedly killed around the Sumy Airport.<ref name="27Feb">{{cite news |author=Igor Strelstov |date=27 February 2022 |title=У Сумах обстріляли цивільне авто з дорослими та дітьми — загинула жінка |url=https://suspilne.media/211810-u-sumah-obstrilali-avto-zaginula-zinka/? |access-date=28 February 2022 |publisher=Suspilne |language=uk |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023014/https://suspilne.media/211810-u-sumah-obstrilali-avto-zaginula-zinka/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 February, Russian forces bombed and destroyed an oil depot in Okhtyrka.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prohibited bombs dropped on Okhtyrka, oil depot on fire |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3415815-prohibited-bombs-dropped-on-okhtyrka-oil-depot-on-fire.html |date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228145220/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3415815-prohibited-bombs-dropped-on-okhtyrka-oil-depot-on-fire.html |url-status=live}}</ref> More than 70 Ukrainian soldiers were killed when their base in Okhtyrka was struck by a thermobaric bomb.<ref name="70KIA">{{cite web |title=More than 70 Ukrainian soldiers killed after Russian artillery hit Okhtyrka base |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/feb/28/ukrainian-soldiers-killed-after-russian-artillery-/ |agency=Associated Press |work=The Washington Times |date=28 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302052607/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/feb/28/ukrainian-soldiers-killed-after-russian-artillery-/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1 March 2022 |title=Huge armoured column nears Kyiv as 'barbaric' missile strikes continue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/fears-of-bloody-fight-for-kyiv-as-huge-russian-army-convoy-gathers-on-outskirts |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231907/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/fears-of-bloody-fight-for-kyiv-as-huge-russian-army-convoy-gathers-on-outskirts |url-status=live |author1=Peter Beaumont |author2=Luke Harding |author3=Jon Henley |author4=Julian Borger |author5=Dan Sabbagh}}</ref> Russian forces also attacked the Romny Correctional Colony. Meanwhile, that same day, Russian forces crushed a civilian in the village of {{ill|Pohozha Krynytsia|uk|Погожа Криниця}} when he attempted to use his car to block Russian tanks passing through.<ref name="На Сумщині російський танк переїхав">{{Cite web|title=На Сумщині російський танк переїхав цивільне авто, яке заважало руху колони. Водій загинув|url=https://suspilne.media/212524-na-sumsini-rosijskij-tank-pereihav-civilne-avto-ake-zavazalo-ruhu-koloni-vodij-zaginuv/|website=Суспільне. Новини|date=2022-03-01|accessdate=2022-03-05|language=uk|first=Анна|last=Скрипняк|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305200657/https://suspilne.media/212524-na-sumsini-rosijskij-tank-pereihav-civilne-avto-ake-zavazalo-ruhu-koloni-vodij-zaginuv/}}</ref> On the same day, a local man died in {{Interlanguage link|Shtepivka|uk|Штепівка}} attempting to enter an abandoned military vehicle that had been mined.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-08 |title=21 людина загинула від авіаудару в Сумах - обласна прокуратура |url=https://suspilne.media/215094-21-ludina-zaginula-vid-aviaudaru-v-sumah-oblasna-prokuratura/? |access-date=2022-03-29 |newspaper=Суспільне | Новини |language=uk}}</ref> The next day, the Ukrainians claimed to have destroyed 80 units of Russian equipment near the village of {{Ill|Pustoviitivka|uk|Пустовійтівка}}, half of which were Grad MLRS.<ref name="Суспільне" />
In the Sumy Oblast, the Russian offensive began to stall due to Ukrainian resistance west and southwest of Trostianets, and the detonation of a bridge south of the city.<ref name=F24Trostianets /><ref name=GuardianTrostianets /><ref name=NYTTrostianets /> As a result, Trostianets, which was first envisioned as "little more than a speed bump" in Russian plans to swiftly take Kyiv, was occupied by a garrison of Russian troops on 1 March.<ref name=NYTTrostianets /><ref name=InterfaxTrostianets>{{Cite web |title=Trostyanets captured by aggressor – head of Regional Military Administration |url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/805234.html |access-date=2022-03-31 |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308142508/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/805234.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
On the same day, the Sumy Oblast territorial defense was reported to have erected roadblocks and checkpoints on some parts of the Kipti-Bachivsk highway, a major road which had been one of the main routes of the Russian invasion.<ref name="Траса під контролем">{{Cite web|title=Траса на Москву у Сумській області під контролем українських військ - голова ОДА|url=https://www.unian.ua/war/trasa-na-moskvu-u-sumskiy-oblasti-pid-kontrolem-ukrajinskih-viysk-golova-oda-novini-donbasu-11725132.html|website=УНІАН|date=2022-03-02|access-date=2022-03-02|language=uk|first=Віолетта|last=Орлова|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302132003/https://www.unian.ua/war/trasa-na-moskvu-u-sumskiy-oblasti-pid-kontrolem-ukrajinskih-viysk-golova-oda-novini-donbasu-11725132.html}}</ref> Meanwhile, Russian forces captured the villages of {{Ill|Bilovodske|uk|Біловодське (Україна)}} and {{Ill|Bobryk, Romny Raion, Sumy Oblast|lt=Bobryk|uk|Бобрик (Роменський район)}}, just south of Romny, which had been contested in previous days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polgeonow.com/2022/03/ukraine-vs-russia-map-control-2022.html|title=Ukraine: Map of Russian Control on March 6, 2022|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308134000/https://www.polgeonow.com/2022/03/ukraine-vs-russia-map-control-2022.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/4/7328060/|title=Росіяни захопили підприємство на Сумщині, посадили снайперів, вимагають переговорів|website=Українська правда|access-date=2022-07-26|archive-date=2022-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430074948/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/4/7328060/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3412147-v-sumskoj-oblasti-kolonny-voennoj-tehniki-rf-posli-na-romny-i-dibrovu.html|title=В Сумской области колонны военной техники РФ пошли на Ромны и Диброву|website=www.ukrinform.ru|access-date=2022-07-26|archive-date=2022-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226051022/https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3412147-v-sumskoj-oblasti-kolonny-voennoj-tehniki-rf-posli-na-romny-i-dibrovu.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://suspilne.media/212785-vijskovi-rf-zahopili-elevator-pograbuvali-magazin-ta-fermi-situacia-v-romenskomu-rajoni/ |title=У Роменському районі військові РФ захопили елеватор Дружба нова |date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2022-07-26 |archive-date=2022-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305205842/https://suspilne.media/212785-vijskovi-rf-zahopili-elevator-pograbuvali-magazin-ta-fermi-situacia-v-romenskomu-rajoni/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 2 March, Russian forces gave Konotop's mayor an ultimatum to surrender the city, threatening to bombard it with artillery; an "angry crowd" of locals "overwhelmingly" refused to surrender.<ref name="Artem">{{Cite web |title=As Russian invaders demand that Konotop surrender, mayor explicitly defies threats |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417910-as-russian-invaders-demand-that-konotop-surrender-mayor-explicitly-defies-threats.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=2 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231346/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417910-as-russian-invaders-demand-that-konotop-surrender-mayor-explicitly-defies-threats.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Мер Конотопа: місту поставили ультиматум – за опір накриють артилерією|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mer-konotopa-gorodu-postavili-ultimatum-soprotivlenie-1646210756.html|access-date=25 February 2022|author=Valeria Polischuk|work=RBC Ukraine|language=uk|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231331/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mer-konotopa-gorodu-postavili-ultimatum-soprotivlenie-1646210756.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TNYT1" /> A compromise was reached under which Russian forces agreed not to interfere with the city's government or deploy troops in return for the residents not attacking them.<ref>{{cite web|title=Бої на Сумщині – влада Конотопа провела переговори з окупантами після ультиматуму|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/stali-izvestny-rezultaty-peregovorov-vlastey-1646221123.html|access-date=25 February 2022|author=Natalia Gurkovskaya|publisher=RBC Ukraine|language=uk|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306141128/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/stali-izvestny-rezultaty-peregovorov-vlastey-1646221123.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TNYT1">{{cite news |last1=Khavin |first1=Dmitriy |last2=Botti |first2=David |last3=Tiefenthäler |first3=Ainara |date=2 March 2022 |title=Mayor in Ukraine asks his city's residents whether they wish to fight or surrender |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/mayor-russian-troop-grenade.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303040505/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/mayor-russian-troop-grenade.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The territorial council of the Kruty rural hromada in Chernihiv Oblast claimed that nearly 200 Russian soldiers were killed in clashes with Ukrainian armed forces and the Territorial Defense Forces in the village of Kruty on 2 March.<ref name="200KIA">{{cite news |title=У новому бою під Крутами українці знищили приблизно 200 окупантів |url=https://hromadske.ua/posts/u-novomu-boyu-pid-krutami-ukrayinci-znishili-blizko-200-okupantiv |date=2 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |author=Markiyan Klimkovetsky |publisher=Hromadske Radio |language=uk |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303211246/https://hromadske.ua/posts/u-novomu-boyu-pid-krutami-ukrayinci-znishili-blizko-200-okupantiv |url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, it was reported that the Ukrainian military and border guards of the 5th Detachment had returned the border with Russia in some areas of Sumy Oblast.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Українські прикордонники та ЗСУ вийшли на лінію державного кордону на Сумщині|url=https://hromadske.ua/posts/ukrayinski-prikordonniki-ta-zsu-vijshli-na-liniyu-derzhavnogo-kordonu-na-sumshini|website=hromadske|date=2022-03-03|access-date=2022-03-08|language=uk|first=Борис|last=Ткачук|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303093727/https://hromadske.ua/posts/ukrayinski-prikordonniki-ta-zsu-vijshli-na-liniyu-derzhavnogo-kordonu-na-sumshini}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Українські прикордонники та ЗСУ вийшли на лінію державного кордону на Сумщині {{!}} Громадське телебачення |url=https://hromadske.ua/posts/ukrayinski-prikordonniki-ta-zsu-vijshli-na-liniyu-derzhavnogo-kordonu-na-sumshini |access-date=2022-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303093727/https://hromadske.ua/posts/ukrayinski-prikordonniki-ta-zsu-vijshli-na-liniyu-derzhavnogo-kordonu-na-sumshini |archive-date=2022-03-03}}</ref>
On 3 March, five people were reportedly injured from shelling on buildings of the 27th Artillery Brigade and the military department at Sumy State University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/3/7327655/|title=Russian missile strikes Sumy, 5 wounded|work=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=3 March 2022|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232251/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/3/7327655/|url-status=live}}</ref> Elsewhere in the Sumy Oblast, an escalation in Russian artillery shelling led to the bombardment of the localities of Nedryhailiv, Okhtyrka, Boromlia, Bezdryk and Lebedyn.<ref name="rbc.ua">{{Cite web |title="Територія пекла". Окупанти почали масове бомбардування Сумської області |url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/territoriya-ada-okkupanty-nachali-massovoe-1646333162.html |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=РБК-Украина |language=ru}}</ref> The same day, Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade announced that Ukrainian artillery had destroyed a Russian column near the village of {{ill|Lebedynyi Bobryk|lt=Moskovskyi Bobryk|uk|Лебединий Бобрик}}<!-- Named Moskovskyi Bobryk back then but now renamed to Lebedynyi Bobryk -->.<ref name="suspilne">{{Cite news |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-10 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: події на Сумщині. Тиждень другий. Онлайн |language=uk-UA |work=Суспільне {{!}} Новини |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |access-date=2022-03-29}}</ref> During their stay in the village, the Russians had looted the local shops and burnt the car of the head of the village, according to residents.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-03 |title=Біля Московського Бобрику на Сумщині артилерія знищила танкову колону РФ |url=https://suspilne.media/213327-bila-moskovskogo-bobriku-na-sumsini-artileria-znisila-tankovu-kolonu-rf/? |access-date=2022-03-29 |newspaper=Суспільне | Новини |language=uk}}</ref>
On 3 March, Russian troops shelled Lebedyn during the bombardment across Sumy Oblast.<ref name="rbc.ua" />
The next day, civilians from the village of Spartak attempted to block Russian vehicles passing from Nedryhailiv to Romny. They succeeded in blocking the road, although an ensuing attack by the Russians resulted in one civilian dying.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Збирали брата по шматках…" — на Сумщині російські військові розстріляли чоловіка із БТРа|url=https://suspilne.media/230271-zbirali-brata-po-smatkah-na-sumsini-rosijski-vijskovi-rozstrilali-colovika-iz-btra/|website=Суспільне Новини|date=2022-04-19|accessdate=2022-06-10|language=uk|first=Суспільне|last=Юлія Ніколаєва, Катерина Ворона|archive-date=2022-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610164040/https://suspilne.media/230271-zbirali-brata-po-smatkah-na-sumsini-rosijski-vijskovi-rozstrilali-colovika-iz-btra/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the night between March 4 and 5, Russian soldiers occupied a poultry farm in Vilshana, Sumy Oblast, killing around 100,000 poultry and causing an estimated one million hryvnias worth of damage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Юлія Ніколаєва, Анна Скрипняк |first=Суспільне |date=2022-04-20 |title="Наробили багато шкоди" – наслідки пограбування росіянами птахоферми у селі Вільшана на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/230556-narobili-bagato-skodi-naslidki-pograbuvanna-rosianami-ptahofermi-u-seli-vilsana-na-sumsini/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610164038/https://suspilne.media/230556-narobili-bagato-skodi-naslidki-pograbuvanna-rosianami-ptahofermi-u-seli-vilsana-na-sumsini/ |archive-date=2022-06-10 |website=Суспільне Новини |language=uk |accessdate=2022-06-10}}</ref>
On March 5, three out of four hostages who were taken by Russian troops were released, according to the head of the Romny Raion, Denys Vashchenko. That same day, Russian soldiers standing on the road fired at Ukrainian TDF troops at a gas station, leaving one Ukrainian soldier killed and two wounded.<ref name="У Сумах обстріляли цивільне">{{Cite web |last=Стрельцов |first=Ігор |date=2022-02-27 |title=У Сумах обстріляли цивільне авто з дорослими та дітьми — загинула жінка |url=https://suspilne.media/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305144837/https://suspilne.media/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk |accessdate=2022-03-05}}</ref> On the evening of March 5, Russian soldiers fired at two cars traveling from Sumy to Romny, in the village of Pustoviitivka. 3 civilians were wounded, and one civilian was killed in the shooting.<ref name="Обстріляна АЗС">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-06 |title=Обстріляна АЗС, цивільні машини та підстанція у Ромнах |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305143940/https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk |accessdate=2022-03-08}}</ref> Later that evening, in the village of Skrypali in Romny Raion, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian column, and killed an unspecified number of soldiers.<ref name="Тиждень другий. Онлайн">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-09 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень другий. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305143940/https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk |accessdate=2022-03-09}}</ref> In the evening between March 5 and 6, shots were fired in Pustoviitivka and Romny, with no injuries. The shooting in Romny, however, knocked out electricity for parts of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Обстріляна АЗС, цивільні машини та підстанція у Ромнах |url=https://suspilne.media/214342-romencaninu-maksimu-bilokonu-posmertno-prisvoene-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306110022/https://suspilne.media/214342-romencaninu-maksimu-bilokonu-posmertno-prisvoene-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/ |archive-date=6 March 2022 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk |accessdate=2022-03-06}}</ref>
Lebedyn was completely cut off from electricity for the 4 and 5 of March. On 5 March at 7 a.m., civilians heard an air raid alarm in Lebedyn as the Russians began shelling the city.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-08 |title=Сумчани допомагають українським бійцям облаштовувати блокпости |url=https://suspilne.media/215221-sumcani-dopomagaut-ukrainskim-bijcam-oblastovuvati-blokposti/? |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Суспільне {{!}} Новини |language=uk}}</ref> The explosions blew out windows in multistoried buildings. The artillery shelling went on all day long.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |title=Бои под Сумами: артиллерия и "Байрактары" уничтожили 100 танков и 20 "Градов" оккупантов |url=https://apostrophe.ua/news/society/2022-02-28/boi-pod-sumami-artilleriya-i-bayraktaryi-unichtojili-100-tankov-i-20-gradov-okkupantov/260916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228222555/https://apostrophe.ua/news/society/2022-02-28/boi-pod-sumami-artilleriya-i-bayraktaryi-unichtojili-100-tankov-i-20-gradov-okkupantov/260916 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> An electric substation, the Lebedyn bakery, and a gas station were destroyed by Russian shelling.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Casualties in battle near Sumy |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/7/7329187/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Ukrayinska Pravda |language=en}}</ref>
According to the Military Administration, Russian artillery shelling and the airstrikes of 6 March left many inhabitants of Lebedyn without electricity. The prosecution launched a pre-trial investigation into the destruction of the Lebedyn bakery by the strikes of Russian military planes.<ref name=":03" />
On 7 March, the electricity supply to Lebedyn was partially restored.<ref name=":03" />
On the night of 8 to 9 March, the Russian air forces attacked Lebedyn. Two houses in Shevchenka Street were ruined. Five people, two children among them, were retrieved from the debris. The officers of the 5th State Fire and Rescue Brigade, who were in charge that night, worked at the site from 01:45 on 9 March.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-06 |title=Російські війська окупували Тростянець на Сумщині: що відбувається в місті |url=https://suspilne.media/214475-rosijski-vijska-okupuvali-trostanec-na-sumsini-so-vidbuvaetsa-v-misti/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |work=Суспільне {{!}} Новини |language=uk-UA}}</ref>
On 11 March, Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyy claimed that 104 Russian servicemen had been taken prisoner in Sumy Oblast since the invasion began.<ref name="f164">{{cite web |title=More than 100 Russian servicemen taken prisoner in Sumy region |agency=Ukrinform |date=2022-03-12 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3427167-more-than-100-russian-servicemen-taken-prisoner-in-sumy-region.html |access-date=2025-08-07}}</ref>
According to Yuriy Bova, the mayor of Trostianets, Russian forces were planning to capture Lebedyn on 12 March, Okhtyrka on 13 March, and Sumy on 14 March, but were prevented from doing so by Ukrainian resistance.<ref name="marchsumy">{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=15 January 2025|date=24 October 2022|title=Історія спротиву: як в Тростянці організували спротив окупації|website=National Resistance Center of Ukraine|url=https://sprotyv.mod.gov.ua/istoriya-sprotyvu-yak-v-trostyanczi-organizuvaly-sprotyv-okupacziyi/}}</ref> Members of the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division were reportedly told on 11 March that they would storm the city of Sumy, but after a company in the division rebelled two days later, all conscripts serving in its ranks were sent back into Russia.<ref>{{cite web|language=ru|access-date=26 January 2025|url=https://istories.media/interviews/2022/09/28/chto-on-bil-na-polnomasshtabnoi-voine-sin-uznal-ot-nas/|title="Что он был на полномасштабной войне, сын узнал от нас"|date=28 September 2022|first=Ирина|last=Долинина|website=Важные Истории}}</ref> The Ukrainian General Staff claimed on 19 March that units of Russia's 1st Guards Tank Army were focused on surrounding Sumy, while preparing offensive operations in the areas of Trostianets, Okhtyrka, and Poltava. Some of the units were claimed to be planning offensives the direction of Pryluky and Kyiv.<ref name="Тиждень четвертий. Онлайн">{{Cite web|title=Вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень четвертий. Онлайн|url=https://suspilne.media/218448-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-cetvertij-onlajn/|website=Суспільне. Новини|date=2022-03-24|accessdate=2022-04-04|language=uk|first=|last=|archive-date=26 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426220709/https://suspilne.media/218448-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-cetvertij-onlajn/}}</ref>
On the night of 11 March, the Russian troops shelled houses in {{ill|Kerdylivshchyna|uk|Кердилівщина}} killing two locals – Vasyl Masliuk and Valeriy Sukhanov.<ref name="auto3" />
As of 13 March, 22,500 civilians in Sumy Oblast had no electricity. According to the Military Administration, shelling damaged the power lines in Okhtyrka, Trostianets, Lebedyn and Sumy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Суспільне |date=2022-03-16 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії : що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень третій. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |work=Суспільне {{!}} Новини |language=uk-UA}}</ref> On March 11, Vashchenko reported that Ukrainian forces unblocked the road between Romny and Lokhvytsia, allowing civilians to flee southwards. That morning near Romny, police and Ukrainian TDF discovered and detained 29 Russian soldiers in a field, all of whom claimed to be lost.<ref name="Тиждень третій. Онлайн">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-16 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень третій. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311193048/https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |archive-date=11 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref><ref name="Поліціянти та тероборонівці затримали">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-11 |title=Поліціянти та тероборонівці затримали 29 військових РФ на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/216340-policianti-ta-teroboronivci-zatrimali-29-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320200445/https://suspilne.media/216340-policianti-ta-teroboronivci-zatrimali-29-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=На Сумщині затримали 29 військовослужбовців РФ |url=https://rama.com.ua/na-sumshhini-zatrimali-29-vijskovosluzhbovciv-rf/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313085856/https://rama.com.ua/na-sumshhini-zatrimali-29-vijskovosluzhbovciv-rf/ |archive-date=13 March 2022 |accessdate=20 March 2022}}</ref> Between 11 and 12 March, the Ukrainians claimed to have destroyed a column of 80 military vehicles belonging to the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division in the Chernihiv Oblast.<ref>{{cite web |title=За дві доби на Чернігівщині знищено до 80 одиниць ворожої техніки |date=13 March 2022 |url=https://lb.ua/society/2022/03/13/509326_dvi_dobi_chernigivshchini_znishcheno.html}}</ref>
=== Stalemate (11–15 March) === [[File:Российские десантники захватили вооружение, поставленное западными странами.ogv|thumb|Russian soldiers showcase captured Ukrainian Javelin ATGMs in the village of Huta-Mezhyhirska, March 2022]] thumb|A Russian checkpoint in Kyiv Oblast, March 2022 By early March, Russian advances along the west side of the Dnieper were limited, after setbacks from Ukrainian defences.<ref name="ISW 4MAR" /> As of 5 March, a large Russian convoy, reportedly {{Convert|64|km|mi}} in length, had made little progress toward Kyiv.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stern |first=David L. |date=5 March 2022 |title=After temporary cease-fires break down, Putin threatens Ukraine's government |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/05/ukraine-military-battlefield-kyiv-mariupol/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307082223/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/05/ukraine-military-battlefield-kyiv-mariupol/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The London-based think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) assessed Russian advances from the north and east as "stalled".<ref>{{cite AV media |last=Arnold |first=Edward |others=Interviewed by Rebecca Ritters |date=6 March 2022 |at=3:26 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1po2OdNnIc |title=How is the war in Ukraine going for Russia? |work=DW News |via=YouTube |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314020335/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1po2OdNnIc |archive-date=14 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Advances along the Chernihiv axis had largely halted as a siege there began. By 11 March, it was reported that the lengthy convoy had largely dispersed, taking up positions under tree cover. Rocket launchers were also identified.<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Paul |title=Stalled 40-mile-long Russian convoy near Kyiv now largely dispersed, satellite images show |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-11-22#h_1b9599f9b4bf3b17110242404180ffec |access-date=11 March 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313042127/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-11-22/h_1b9599f9b4bf3b17110242404180ffec |url-status=live}}</ref>
Russian forces continued to advance on Kyiv from the northwest, capturing Bucha, Hostomel, and Vorzel by 5 March,<ref name="lister" /><ref name="vorzel" /> though Irpin remained contested as of 9 March.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Voitovych |first2=Olga |title="Irpin can't be bought, Irpin fights": Mayor refuses Russian demand to surrender |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-08-22#h_e09d49888fcb2a07b8f1a95d6f2b0faa |access-date=8 March 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309070545/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-08-22/h_e09d49888fcb2a07b8f1a95d6f2b0faa |url-status=live}}</ref>
By 11 March, some elements of the Russian Kyiv convoy broke off and deployed into firing positions. While the bulk of the convoy remained on the road, some parts, including artillery, left the main column, and took up positions near Hostomel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian convoy outside Kyiv has redeployed into firing positions, satellite photos show |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8674764/ukraine-russia-convoy-kyiv-firing-photos/ |access-date=11 March 2022 |publisher=Global News |language=en-US |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311092402/https://globalnews.ca/news/8674764/ukraine-russia-convoy-kyiv-firing-photos/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Some elements of the convoy took up positions in Lubianka and nearby forests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian military convoy near Kyiv 'dispersed, re-deployed' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/11/satellite-images-show-russian-army-convoy-near-kyiv-re-deployed |access-date=11 March 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311064403/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/11/satellite-images-show-russian-army-convoy-near-kyiv-re-deployed |url-status=live}}</ref> An assessment of the offensive at this date by the Institute for the Study of War said that Russian ground forces attempting to encircle Kyiv had paused to resupply and refit their combat units, having failed in their attacks from 8 to 10 March.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-11 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 11 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313194622/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-11 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In the Chernihiv Oblast, Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken the village of Baklanova Muraviika on 10 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/10/7330152/|title=ЗСУ звільнили село на Чернігівщині, на інших напрямках відтіснили ворога|author=Катерниа Тищенко|work=Ukrainska Pravda|language=uk|access-date=2024-02-24|date=2022-03-10}}</ref> The next day the Ukrainian military announced that it had recaptured five settlements in the Chernihiv Oblast, in addition to seizing two armored personnel carriers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Сили спротиву звільнили від росіян 5 населених пунктів на Чернігівщині |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/11/7330336/ |author=Roman Petrenko |work=Ukrainska Pravda |date=11 March 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312224828/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/11/7330336/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 March, the Institute for the Study of War stated that it was likely that counterattacks by the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine threatened Russia's long line of communication in this theater.<ref name="12Mar">[https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-12 Institute for the Study of War] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313112526/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-12 |date=2022-03-13}} - RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 12. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref> On the same day, Ukrainian forces reportedly recaptured two more settlements in the Chernihiv Oblast and prevented more Russian forces from advancing towards Kyiv.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Українські захисники звільнили ще два населені пункти на Чернігівщині |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/12/7330790/ |author=Valentina Romanenko |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=13 March 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314032947/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/12/7330790/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 12 March, the Security Service of Ukraine said that seven civilians were killed after Russian forces shot at an evacuation column in the village of Peremoha, Brovary Raion, and forced it to turn back.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-civilians-killed-evacuees-b2034572.html |title=Seven killed including child after Russian troops fire at evacuation convoy, Ukraine says |first=Chiara |last=Giordano |work=The Independent |date=12 March 2022 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313004554/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-civilians-killed-evacuees-b2034572.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
An overnight barrage of missile attacks had destroyed the Vasylkiv Air Base along with its airstrip. In addition, the ammunition depot and an oil depot in the town and an oil depot in the village of Kriachky were set ablaze as well. Shelling on the village of Kvitneve at 03:40 set a frozen goods warehouse on fire.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/russia-ukraine-war-moscow-targets-food-storage-warehouses-near-kyiv |title=Russia – Ukraine War: Moscow targets food storage warehouses near Kyiv |work=Free Press Journal |date=12 March 2022 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312235147/https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/russia-ukraine-war-moscow-targets-food-storage-warehouses-near-kyiv |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/ukrainerussia-war-kyiv-outskirts-on-fire-humanitarian-corridors-may-reopen-101647069920100.html |title=Ukraine-Russia war: Kyiv outskirts on fire, humanitarian corridors may reopen |work=Hindustan Times |date=12 March 2022 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313224035/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/ukrainerussia-war-kyiv-outskirts-on-fire-humanitarian-corridors-may-reopen-101647069920100.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/811960.html |title=Airport completely destroyed due to missile attacks by invader in Vasylkiv, Kyiv region – mayor |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=12 March 2022 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313000002/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/811960.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov stated that long-range high-precision missiles were used to destroy the military airfield in Vasylkiv and the "main center of radio and electronic intelligence of Ukrainian forces" in Brovary.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/russia-disables-ukraine-military-s-main-radio-intelligence-facility-122031200444_1.html |title=Russia disables Ukraine military's main radio intelligence facility |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |work=Business Standard |date=12 March 2022 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314032050/https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/russia-disables-ukraine-military-s-main-radio-intelligence-facility-122031200444_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 13 March, the UK's Ministry of Defence reported that Russian forces were {{convert|25|km|mi}} from the center of Kyiv.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fighting-rages-outside-kyiv-ukraine-says-it-hopes-humanitarian-corridors-can-2022-03-12/ |title=Fighting rages outside Kyiv, Ukraine says evacuations threatened again |first1=Pavel |last1=Polityuk |first2=Natalia |last2=Zinets |agency=Reuters |date=12 March 2022 |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313044758/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fighting-rages-outside-kyiv-ukraine-says-it-hopes-humanitarian-corridors-can-2022-03-12/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
That day American journalist Brent Renaud was killed and two other journalists were wounded at a checkpoint in Irpin when Russian forces reportedly shot at a car carrying non-Ukrainian journalists.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/american-journalist-brent-renaud-shot-dead-near-kyiv-lg5fq6rl9 |title=American journalist Brent Renaud shot dead near Kyiv |author=Keiran Southern |work=The Times |date=13 March 2022 |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313224730/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/american-journalist-brent-renaud-shot-dead-near-kyiv-lg5fq6rl9 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ukrainian forces prevented an attempt by Russian forces to advance further on Kyiv by blowing up a pontoon bridge on the Irpin river near Hostomel and {{convert|5|km|mi}} north of the main bridge on the river.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-13-22#h_31431ec0d0acc2e9b12807abc196a6b1 |title=Ukrainians thwart Russian attempt toward Kyiv on pontoon bridge, satellite image shows |author=Paul R. Murphy |publisher=CNN |date=13 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315090526/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-13-22/h_31431ec0d0acc2e9b12807abc196a6b1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian advances across the Irpin were also hindered by flooding caused by their own attack on the Kozarovychi dam, which regulates flow from the Kyiv Reservoir.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e87fdc60-0d5e-4d39-93c6-7cfd22f770e8 |newspaper=Financial Times |author=Tim Judah |date=10 April 2022 |title=How Kyiv was saved by Ukrainian ingenuity as well as Russian blunders |access-date=28 April 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428014609/https://www.ft.com/content/e87fdc60-0d5e-4d39-93c6-7cfd22f770e8 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 14 March, Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall was wounded in the village of Horenka while reporting on the conflict near Kyiv. Cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and Oleksandra Kuvshynova, a Ukrainian news producer and fixer, were killed in the same attack. Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, stated that the deaths were caused by Russian shelling.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/benjamin-hall-fox-news-correspondent-injured-while-newsgathering-in-ukraine/ |title=Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall injured while reporting in Ukraine |author=Victoria Albert |publisher=CBS News |date=14 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314231715/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/benjamin-hall-fox-news-correspondent-injured-while-newsgathering-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/813858.html |title=Fox News cameraman, Ukrainian journalist killed in Russian artillery shelling – Gerashchenko |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315172529/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/813858.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian forces meanwhile had captured Bucha and half of Irpin by 14 March.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60729206 |title=Mass graves in Ukraine: Battered cities are digging makeshift burial sites |author=Laurence Peter |publisher=BBC News |date=14 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314162515/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60729206 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 15 March, a new military headquarters responsible for the defense of Kyiv was established. Zelenskyy appointed acting Commander of the Joint Forces Oleksandr Pavliuk as head of the "Kyiv Regional Military Administration" and Eduard Koskalov the new Commander of the Joint Forces.<ref name=":4" /> The National Police of Ukraine stated that one civilian was killed and two others wounded in Hostomel when Russian troops fired at evacuation buses.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/russia-ukraine-war/story/russian-forces-shoot-at-civilians-in-hostomel-1925524-2022-03-15 |title=Russian forces shoot at civilians in Hostomel |work=India Today |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315074954/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/russia-ukraine-war/story/russian-forces-shoot-at-civilians-in-hostomel-1925524-2022-03-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> In Bucha, Russian troops captured volunteers and employees of the city council, although they released them the next day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/814280.html |title=Occupiers release volunteers previously captured in Bucha – city council |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=16 March 2022 |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317144845/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/814280.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Ukrainian counteroffensive (16 March – 4 April) === thumb|Ukrainian police entering Bucha on 2 April On 16 March, the Ukrainian government announced that its forces had begun a counter-offensive to repel Russian forces approaching Kyiv. Fighting took place in Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin.<ref>{{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 |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 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 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russian forces conducted only limited attacks northwest of Kyiv.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-16 |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 16 |work=ISW |date=16 March 2022 |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323195647/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-16 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 17 March, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces had made "no significant advances around Kyiv in the past 24–48 hours" and had resorted to "chaotic" shelling. A British military intelligence report added that Russian forces suffered "heavy losses" while making "minimal progress".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2022 |title=Russia's advance in Ukraine stalls; U.S. warns China on aiding Moscow |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russian-advance-stalls-us-warns-china-against-aiding-moscow-ukraine-2022-03-17/ |access-date=4 April 2022 |agency=Reuters |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329182514/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russian-advance-stalls-us-warns-china-against-aiding-moscow-ukraine-2022-03-17/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 18 March, Ukraine blocked Russia's two main routes for attacking the capital city as the latter was abandoning "offensive actions" around Brovary and Boryspil. Ukraine worked on strengthening a third line of defense around the capital, while Russian forces were "cynically shooting" at infrastructure facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian army says Russia's main routes for attacking Kyiv have been blocked |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-18-22#h_da2bb04b93e356439224e8fe54cb9df9 |access-date=5 April 2022 |agency=CNN |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318203827/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-18-22/h_da2bb04b93e356439224e8fe54cb9df9 |url-status=live}}</ref>
By 19 March, Russia was attempting to consolidate control over the area they occupied, while more efforts were made to resupply and reinforce units' static positions. Maxar imagery showed Russian forces digging trenches and revetments in Kyiv Oblast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2022 |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 19 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-19 |access-date=5 April 2022 |agency=ISW |language=en |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319212434/https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-19 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 20 March, Russian missiles struck a number of areas in the capital and what Russia described as a "Ukrainian special forces training center" in Zhytomyr Oblast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2022 |title=Massive blasts shake Kyiv; Ukraine rejects Russia's demand to surrender Mariupol |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-20-2022/ |access-date=5 April 2022 |agency=AP |language=en |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320031929/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-20-2022/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 21 March, Ukraine halted a Russian attack on Brovary, while Russia claimed to have captured a Ukrainian command bunker in Mykolaivka. However, Russian forces were still reportedly struggling to organize the sufficient logistical support needed for major operations in the northwest of Kyiv.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 21 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-21 |access-date=5 April 2022 |agency=ISW |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321224448/https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Unable to achieve a quick victory in Kyiv, Russian forces switched strategies and began using standoff weapons, indiscriminate bombing, and siege warfare.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael R. |last1=Gordon |first2=Alex |last2=Leary |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Russia, Failing to Achieve Early Victory in Ukraine, Is Seen Shifting to 'Plan B' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-failing-to-achieve-early-victory-in-ukraine-is-seen-shifting-to-plan-b-11647824374 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=21 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323221517/https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-failing-to-achieve-early-victory-in-ukraine-is-seen-shifting-to-plan-b-11647824374 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putins-nuclear-move-could-make-situation-much-much-more-dangerous-us-official-2022-02-27/ |title=Russian forces appear to shift to siege warfare in Ukraine- U.S. official |first1=Idrees |last1=Ali |first2=Phil |last2=Stewart |agency=Reuters |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327210326/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putins-nuclear-move-could-make-situation-much-much-more-dangerous-us-official-2022-02-27/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Between 22 and 24 March, Ukrainian forces retook the strategically important town of Makariv (22 March), the village of Moshchun (23 March), and the small settlement of Lukianivka (24 March). It was claimed that three Russian tanks and nine infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed at Lukianivka, as well as some armor captured, while Ukrainian troops were reportedly working on the encirclement of Russian units in nearby villages. Irpin was reportedly 80% controlled by Ukrainian forces, while Russia launched rocket attacks against the town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lonas |first=Lexi |date=22 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian forces retake Kyiv suburb |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/599152-ukrainian-forces-retake-kyiv-suburb |access-date=22 March 2022 |agency=The Hill |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323112729/https://thehill.com/policy/international/599152-ukrainian-forces-retake-kyiv-suburb |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=NATO to OK 'major increases' of troops; Ukraine appears to be retaking ground near Kyiv |agency=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/23/live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html |access-date=6 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323072037/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/23/live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="24March">{{Cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title=March 24, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-24-22/index.html |access-date=6 April 2022 |agency=CNN |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324043458/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-24-22/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 23 March, reports arose that Russian soldiers were starting to mutiny against their leaders. Colonel Yuri Medvedev was fighting in Makariv when a soldier from the 37th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade was reported to have deliberately rammed into the colonel, breaking both his legs, allegedly killing him. This was because the 37th Brigade, which he was commanding, was reported to have lost close to 50% of its men while fighting in Makariv.<ref name="legs">{{Cite web |agency=AFP |title=Western official: Russian tank commander run over and killed by his own angry troops |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/western-official-russian-tank-commander-run-over-and-killed-by-own-angry-troops/ |access-date=26 March 2022 |work=Times of Israel |date=25 March 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325222609/https://www.timesofisrael.com/western-official-russian-tank-commander-run-over-and-killed-by-own-angry-troops/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Российский военный переехал на танке своего командира в отместку за гибель товарищей в боях под Киевом |url=https://antikor.com.ua/articles/532047-rossijskij_voennyj_pereehal_na_tanke_svoego_komandira_v_otmestku_za_gibelj_tovarishchej_v_bojah_pod_kievom |access-date=11 September 2022 |website=antikor.com.ua |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182557/https://antikor.com.ua/articles/532047-rossijskij_voennyj_pereehal_na_tanke_svoego_komandira_v_otmestku_za_gibelj_tovarishchej_v_bojah_pod_kievom |url-status=live}}</ref> Dan Sabbagh wrote in ''The Guardian'' that while the attack most likely occurred, little evidence existed confirming that Medvedev had indeed died.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2022 |title=Mutinous Russian troops ran over their own commander, say western officials |website=TheGuardian.com |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/russian-troops-mutiny-commander-ukraine-report-western-officials |access-date=26 March 2022 |agency=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327223031/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/russian-troops-mutiny-commander-ukraine-report-western-officials |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 24 March, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Russian shelling on Slavutych prevented personnel from rotating to and from the Chernobyl nuclear plant.<ref name="24March" />
By 25 March, Ukrainian counterattacks in Kyiv Oblast had retaken several towns to the east and west of Kyiv, including Makariv.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60847188 |title=Ukraine war: Ukrainian fightback gains ground west of Kyiv |work=BBC News |date=23 March 2022 |access-date=29 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323112051/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60847188 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Guardian220325">{{cite news |first1=Joanna |last1=Walters |first2=Jem |last2=Bartholomew |first3=Martin |last3=Belam |first4=Samantha |last4=Lock |date=25 March 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine takes back towns east of Kyiv; hopes of Mariupol humanitarian corridor grow – live |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/25/ukraine-war-latest-news-sanctions-a-little-late-zelenskiy-tells-european-council-biden-to-visit-poland-live |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327003106/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/25/ukraine-war-latest-news-sanctions-a-little-late-zelenskiy-tells-european-council-biden-to-visit-poland-live |url-status=live }}</ref> Under attack by the Ukrainian military, Russian troops in the Bucha area began to retreat north at the end of March. Ukrainian forces entered the city on 1 April.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rudenko |first=Olga |date=2 April 2022 |title=Hundreds of murdered civilians discovered as Russians withdraw from towns near Kyiv (GRAPHIC IMAGES) |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=The Kyiv Independent |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403022637/https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A British Ministry of Defence intelligence assessment reported that, as Russian forces were falling back on overextended supply lines, Ukraine recaptured towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometers (25 miles) east of Kyiv. The assessment concluded that Ukrainian forces were likely "to continue to attempt to push Russian Forces back along the north-western axis from Kyiv towards Hostomel Airfield."<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 March 2022 |title=UK Defense Ministry: Ukraine has reoccupied towns and defensive positions east of Kyiv |newspaper=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-25-22#h_a14ab711ca2397bfcdf835a86c7a333a |access-date=6 April 2022 |agency=CNN |language=en |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325075716/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-25-22/h_a14ab711ca2397bfcdf835a86c7a333a |url-status=live }}</ref> The Russian military also withdrew from the village of {{ill|Malyi Vystorop|uk|Малий Вистороп}} in Sumy Oblast on the same day.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Вся вулиця без заборів, без вікон", — жителі села на Сумщині про наслідки від російської окупації|url=https://suspilne.media/228892-vsa-vulica-bez-zaboriv-bez-vikon-ziteli-sela-na-sumsini-pro-naslidki-vid-rosijskoi-okupacii/|website=Suspilne|date=15 April 2022|accessdate=10 June 2022|language=uk|first1=Юлія|last1=Ніколаєва|first2=Катерина|last2=Ворона}}</ref>
On 26 March, additional Russian forces from the Eastern Military District (EMD) were reportedly being sent into the Kyiv–Chernihiv axis. The ISW assessed that Ukraine created a "Russian salient" at Hostomel that is "exposed from several directions and apparently under continued pressure".<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2022 |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 26 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-26 |access-date=6 April 2022 |agency=ISW |language=en |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331065917/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-26 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Ukrainian military said that its forces had retaken the villages of Lukianivka and {{ill|Rudnytske|uk|Рудницьке (Броварський район)}}, 40 kilometers east of Brovary, on 26 March, forcing Russia's 30th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade to retreat.<ref name="EMD" />
[[File:Російська техніка під Тростянцем 18.03.2022 (5).jpg|thumb|Wreckage from a Russian column destroyed near Trostianets on 17 March]] Following several days of Ukrainian artillery shelling and drone strikes, Trostianets was abandoned by Russian troops over the night of 25–26 March, and Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade retook the city on the 26th.<ref name=NYTTrostianets /><ref name=SpiegelTrostianets /><ref name=F24Trostianets /> Associated Press reporters in the city said it was "not clear" where the Russian forces had gone.<ref name=APTrostianets>{{Cite web |last1=Rosa |first1=Andrea |last2=Dana |first2=Felipe |date=2022-03-29 |title=After Russian forces pull back, a shattered town breathes |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |access-date=2022-03-29 |agency=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329080532/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |url-status=live}}</ref> The recapture of the city was expected to open up supply routes to relieve the besieged city of Sumy, and "seriously restrict" the Russian military's ability to maneuver in the region.<ref name=WSJTrostianets>{{Cite news |last1=Chernova |first1=Yuliya |last2=Coles |first2=Isabel |last3=Colchester |first3=Max |date=2022-03-27 |title=Ukraine Seeks to Exploit Shift in Russia's Military Strategy |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-seeks-to-exploit-shift-in-russias-military-strategy-11648385217 |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=2022-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328214618/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-seeks-to-exploit-shift-in-russias-military-strategy-11648385217 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TelegraphTrostianets>{{Cite news |last1=Mendick |first1=Robert |last2=Freeman |first2=Colin |last3=Kilner |first3=James |date=2022-03-27 |title=Legendary Stalingrad tank division destroyed as Ukraine reclaims key town |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/27/ukraine-bounced-back-embarrass-russia-recapture-bombarded-cities/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329215355/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/27/ukraine-bounced-back-embarrass-russia-recapture-bombarded-cities/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, Ukrainian forces also took the neighboring city of Boromlia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/222672-ak-vigladae-selo-boromla-na-sumsini-ake-zvilnili-vid-rosijskoi-okupacii-foto/|language=uk|website=Suspilne|access-date=10 June 2024|date=28 March 2022|title=Як виглядає село Боромля на Сумщині, яке звільнили від російської окупації.}}</ref> and Russian troops withdrew from the villages of {{ill|Velykyi Bobryk|uk|Великий Бобрик}} and {{ill|Steblianka|uk|Стеблянка}}, which are also in the Sumy Oblast.<ref>{{cite web|title="Звірськи катували". Що розказують жителі села на Сумщині, яке 10 днів окуповували росіяни|language=uk|website=Suspilne|access-date=10 June 2024|date=28 March 2022|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/222611-zvirski-katuvali-so-rozkazuut-ziteli-sela-na-sumsini-ake-10-dniv-okupovuvali-rosiani/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/228536-spali-sidaci-j-topili-snig-ziteli-sela-steblanki-na-sumsini-rozpovili-ak-perezili-okupaciu/|date=14 April 2022|access-date=10 June 2024|title=Спали сидячи й топили сніг. Жителі села Стеблянки на Сумщині розповіли, як пережили окупацію|website=Suspilne|language=uk|first=Юлія|last=Ніколаєва}}</ref> Russian forces destroyed a bridge over the Psel River after withdrawing from villages near the city of Sumy.<ref>{{cite web|website=Suspilne|language=uk|access-date=10 June 2024|date=27 March 2022|title="Це дике плем'я було" — мешканці сіл Сумського району розповіли про війська РФ в їхніх селах|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/221990-ce-dike-plema-bulo-meskanci-sil-sumskogo-rajonu-rozpovili-pro-vijska-rf-v-ihnih-selah/}}</ref> On 27 March, Slavhorod and Krasnopillia were retaken.<ref name=book3 />
On 27 March, Russia's 35th Combined Arms Army reportedly rotated damaged units into Belarus under cover of airstrikes and shelling, while it was claimed that Russia established a command post for all EMD-forces operating around Kyiv in the Chernobyl area. The ISW assessed that the EMD Commander Colonel-General Aleksandr Chaiko "may be personally commanding efforts to regroup Russian forces in Belarus and resume operations to encircle Kyiv from the west".<ref name="EMD">{{Cite web |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 27 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-27 |access-date=6 April 2022 |agency=ISW |language=en-US |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327213433/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-27 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 28 March, Ukrainian forces reportedly retook Irpin, with the city's mayor saying the city would be a staging ground for the recapture of Bucha, Hostomel, and Vorzel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2022 |title=Mayor tells CNN that Ukraine has reclaimed Kyiv suburb Irpin from Russian forces |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-28-22#h_8ae2a3da40fccb3f99547e28b1b33a2e |access-date=28 March 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328150432/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-28-22/h_8ae2a3da40fccb3f99547e28b1b33a2e |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ISW28March>{{cite web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-28|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|first1=Mason|last1=Clark|first2=George|last2=Barros|date=28 March 2022|access-date=11 June 2024|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, 28 March}}</ref>
On 29 March, the Russian Deputy Ministry of Defence Alexander Fomin announced a withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas.<ref name="Qena">{{Cite web |last1=Qena |first1=Nebi |last2=Karmanau |first2=Yuras |title=Moscow says it will curb assault on Kyiv, Chernihiv; Russian troops seen withdrawing |website=The Times of Israel |date=29 March 2022 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/moscow-says-it-will-curb-assault-on-kyiv-chernihiv-russian-troops-seen-withdrawing/ |access-date=2 April 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401020353/https://www.timesofisrael.com/moscow-says-it-will-curb-assault-on-kyiv-chernihiv-russian-troops-seen-withdrawing/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Ukrainian forces stormed the village of {{ill|Dmytrivka|uk|Дмитрівка (Дмитрівська сільська громада)}}, about 35 km west of Kyiv, on 29 March.<ref name=Hell>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/descent-into-hell-ukrainians-reclaim-shelled-homes-near-kyiv-2022-04-01/|agency=Reuters|date=1 April 2022|access-date=11 June 2024|title=Descent into Hell: Ukrainians reclaim shelled homes near Kyiv|first1=Sergiy|last1=Karazy|first2=Herbert|last2=Villarraga}}</ref> Between 30 and 31 March, Ukrainian forces reportedly recaptured the settlements of Dmytrivka, {{ill|Kopyliv|uk|Копилів}}, {{ill|Kapitanivka, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Kapitanivka|uk|Капітанівка (Бучанський район)}}, {{ill|Lisne, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Lisne|uk|Лісне (Бучанський район)}}, Buzova, all near Kyiv. Near Brovary, {{ill|Ploske, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Ploske|uk|Плоске (Броварський_район)}}, {{ill|Svitylnia|uk|Світильня}}, and {{ill|Hrebelky|uk|Гребельки}} were reportedly recaptured on 30 March, with Ukrainian forces reportedly entering Nova Basan on 31 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-31|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, 31 March|date=31 March 2022|access-date=11 June 2024|first1=Mason|last1=Clark|first2=George|last2=Barros|first3=Karolina|last3=Hird|publisher=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref>
Between 30 and 31 March, Russian forces shelled the eastern and northern suburbs of Kyiv where Ukrainian forces had regained territory in recent days, as well as Irpin and Makariv. At the same time, there were battles reported around Hostomel amidst Ukrainian counterattacks and some Russian withdrawals around Brovary. According to the British Ministry of Defence, "Russian forces continue to hold positions to the east and west of Kyiv despite the withdrawal of a limited number of units" and projected that heavy fighting would likely take place in the suburbs of the city in coming days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2022 |title=Russia bombs Ukraine cities, despite pledge to pull back from Kyiv |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-isnt-naive-zelenskiy-says-after-russia-pledges-scale-down-attack-kyiv-2022-03-30/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |agency=Reuters |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330025130/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-isnt-naive-zelenskiy-says-after-russia-pledges-scale-down-attack-kyiv-2022-03-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Heavy fighting near Kyiv as Russian troops appear to regroup for offensive in east |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/heavy-fighting-near-kyiv-as-russian-troops-appear-to-regroup-for-offensive-in-east/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331180748/https://www.timesofisrael.com/heavy-fighting-near-kyiv-as-russian-troops-appear-to-regroup-for-offensive-in-east/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
After several weeks of attacks, and a month under siege, Ukrainian forces managed to break the encirclement of Chernihiv on 31 March by recapturing a main road connecting Kyiv with the regional capital.<ref name="Siege">{{Cite news |work=Forbes |date=31 March 2022 |title=Ukraine's Best Tank Brigade Has Won The Battle For Chernihiv |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/03/31/ukraines-best-tank-brigade-has-won-the-battle-for-chernihiv/?sh=2dd7ec507db9 |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>
Bucha was retaken by Ukrainian forces on 31 March, according to its mayor Anatolii Fedoruk. Ukrainian troops recaptured Hostomel and Borodianka by 1 April, and some Russian units withdrew from Chernihiv Oblast. Ivankiv was also captured by 1 April, as Ukrainian forces advanced from Zhytomyr Oblast, and some reports suggested that they had conducted counterattacks in Dytiatky and {{ill|Orane, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Orane|uk|Оране}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-withdrawing-some-troops-kyiv-region-governor-2022-04-01/|agency=Reuters|date=1 April 2022|access-date=11 June 2024|title=Ukraine says Russian forces pushed back around Kyiv but fighting rages|first1=Natalia|last1=Zinets|first2=Max|last2=Hunder}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-1|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 1|date=1 April 2022|access-date=11 June 2024|first1=Mason|last1=Clark|first2=George|last2=Barros|first3=Karolina|last3=Hird}}</ref> According to a Ukrainian official, reconnaissance indicated that Russian forces had left the Chernobyl area by 1 April.<ref name=Hell /> Amid a withdrawal of Russian troops into Belarus, the Ukrainian military announced that its forces had retaken Demydiv, Dymer, {{ill|Lytvynivka|uk|Литвинівка (Вишгородський район)}}, {{ill|Havrylivka, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Havrylivka|uk|Гаврилівка (Київська область)}}, {{ill|Kozarovychi|uk|Козаровичі}}, {{ill|Dmytrivka, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Zhovtneve|uk|Дмитрівка (Бородянська селищна громада)}}, {{ill|Hlibivka|uk|Глібівка}}, {{ill|Yasnohorodka, Vyshhorod Raion|lt=Yasnohorodka|uk|Ясногородка (Вишгородський район)}}, {{ill|Tolokun|uk|Толокунь}}, {{ill|Sukholuchchia|uk|Сухолуччя}}, Lypivka, {{ill|Havronshchyna|uk|Гавронщина}}, {{ill|Makovyshche|uk|Маковище}}, {{ill|Mykolaivka, Bucha Raion, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Mykolaivka|uk|Миколаївка (Бучанський район)}} and {{ill|Khmilna|uk|Хмільна (Бучанський район)}}.<ref name=ukrinform1apr />
In Chernihiv Oblast, the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps announced that on 31 March, it had taken control of the settlements of {{ill|Petrivka, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Petrivka|uk|Петрівка (Ніжинський район)}}, Staryi Bykiv, Novyi Bykiv, {{ill|Havrylivka, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Havrylivka|uk|Гаврилівка (Ніжинський район)}}, {{ill|Ukrainka, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Ukrainka|uk|Українка (Бобровицька міська громада)}}, {{ill|Makiivka, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Makiivka|uk|Макіївка (Ніжинський район)}}, {{ill|Tereshkivka|uk|Терешківка (Ніжинський район)}}, {{ill|Halytsia|uk|Галиця (Ніжинський район)}}, {{ill|Yakhnivka|uk|Яхнівка (Ніжинський район)}}, and {{ill|Svitanok, Nizhyn Raion, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Svitanok|uk|Світанок (Ніжинський район)}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=ДУК "Правий сектор" звільнив 10 населених пунктів від російських окупантів|url=https://pravyysektor.info/novyny/duk-pravyy-sektor-zvilnyv-10-naselenyh-punktiv-vid-rosiyskyh-okupantiv|date=1 April 2022|access-date=26 January 2025|language=uk|website=Правий Сектор}}</ref> The next day, Ukraine's military announced that following a Russian withdrawal from the area, it had retaken control over {{ill|Rudnia, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Rudnia|uk|Рудня (Броварський район)}}, Shevchenkove and {{ill|Bobryk, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Bobryk|uk|Бобрик (Броварський район)}} of Kyiv Oblast, along with {{ill|Stara Basan|uk|Стара Басань}}, Nova Basan, {{ill|Pohreby|uk|Погреби (Прилуцький район)}}, {{ill|Bazhanivka|uk|Бажанівка}}, {{ill|Volodymyrivka, Chernihiv Raion, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Volodymyrivka|uk|Володимирівка (Чернігівський район)}}, {{ill|Shniakivka|uk|Шняківка}} and {{ill|Salne|uk|Сальне (Ніжинський район)}}, {{ill|Sofiivka, Chernihiv Oblast|lt=Sofiivka|uk|Софіївка (Ніжинський район)}} of Chernihiv Oblast.<ref name=ukrinform1apr>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine regains control of over 20 settlements |date=April 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3445679-ukraine-regains-control-of-over-20-settlements.html |access-date=1 April 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401120644/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3445679-ukraine-regains-control-of-over-20-settlements.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Subsequent artillery strikes were supposed to cover the start of a Russian retreat from Kyiv Oblast. Russian forces also mined areas as they pulled back. Ukrainian forces responded to the withdrawal by continuing their counter-offensive; as a result, the Russian retreat was disorderly in some areas, and some Russian troops were left behind.<ref name="ISW assessment">{{Cite news |date=2 April 2022 |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, APRIL 3 |agency=ISW |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-3 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404021432/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Working trip of the President of Ukraine to the Kyiv region 108.jpg|thumb|President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Bucha on 4 April]] By 1 April, Russian forces had "almost left" the entire Brovary Raion. Ukrainian forces subsequently engaged in "mopping up" operations,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Окупанти пішли з Броварського району під Києвом – мер Броварів |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/04/1/7336264/ |access-date=2 April 2022 |agency=Українська правда |language=uk |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608060331/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/04/1/7336264/ |url-status=live }}</ref> involving the clearing of barricades, ammunition and suspected booby traps. Zelenskyy warned for "a potentially catastrophic situation for civilians" due to mines left by Russian forces around "homes, abandoned equipment and even the bodies of those killed".<ref>{{cite web |date=3 April 2022 |title=Ukrainian troops clear roads in a city north of Kyiv |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/03/ukrainian-troops-clear-roads-in-a-city-north-of-kyiv |access-date=5 April 2022 |agency=Euronews |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403151106/https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/03/ukrainian-troops-clear-roads-in-a-city-north-of-kyiv |url-status=live}}</ref> That day, Ukrainian journalist Maks Levin was found dead near the village of Huta-Mezhyhirska after going missing for more than two weeks. Ukraine's prosecutor's office claimed that the journalist was killed by "two shots" from the Russian military.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 April 2022 |title=Ukrainian journalist found dead near Kyiv after going missing over two weeks ago |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukrainian-journalist-found-dead-near-kyiv-after-going-missing-over-two-weeks-ago/ |access-date=4 April 2022 |agency=Times of Israel |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402133628/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukrainian-journalist-found-dead-near-kyiv-after-going-missing-over-two-weeks-ago/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 2 April, Ukrainian forces retook control over all of Kyiv Oblast including Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel,<ref name="retake1" /> and Brovary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine 'retakes whole Kyiv region' as Russia looks east |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/3/ukraine-retakes-whole-kyiv-region-as-russian-troops-pull-back |access-date=2022-07-09 |agency=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Visual confirmation of Ukrainian forces retaking Pripyat district and the border area with Belarus was released on 3 April.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 April 2022 |title=Ukraine soldier poses with flag at re-taken Chernobyl plant after Russian retreat |website=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-ukraine-soldier-poses-flag-26622807 |access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403094257/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-ukraine-soldier-poses-flag-26622807 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ukraine said it uncovered evidence of war crimes in Bucha.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine war latest: Ukraine says it has retaken entire Kyiv region |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60949706 |access-date=2 April 2022 |agency=BBC News |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401131512/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60949706 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Shestovytsia after battle, 19 April 2022 (10).jpg|thumb|Aftermath of clashes in Shestovytsia village, Chernihiv Oblast, 19 April 2022]]
Russian forces began to withdraw from Romny Raion on April 1, through a corridor from Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts through Romny towards the Russian state border. The withdrawal ended on April 4.<ref name="РФ затримують цивільних">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-04-02 |title=На Сумщині військові РФ затримують цивільних та беруть у полон |url=https://suspilne.media/224424-na-sumsini-vijskovi-rf-zatrimuut-civilnih-ta-berut-u-polon/ |website=Суспільне Новини |language=uk |accessdate=2022-06-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sumy region: Russians start to leave the region |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/4/7336951/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627061748/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/4/7336951/ |archive-date=2022-06-27 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Ukrayinska Pravda}}</ref> On the evening of 2 April, amid their withdrawal from the Sumy Oblast, Russian forces destroyed the P44 highway's bridge over the Seim River near the village of {{ill|Chumakove|uk|Чумакове (село)}}, after crossing the river in the direction of Russia. The retreating Russian columns withdrew through the villages of {{ill|Volyntseve|uk|Волинцеве}} and {{ill|Yuriieve|lt=Yurieve|uk|Юрієве}}<!-- Named Yurieve back then but now renamed to Yuriieve --> towards the international border.<ref>{{cite web|website=Suspilne|language=uk|access-date=10 June 2024|date=3 April 2022|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/224645-rosijski-vijskovi-zrujnuvali-mist-cerez-sejm-na-sumsini/|title=Російські військові зруйнували міст через Сейм на Сумщині}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Suspilne|language=uk|access-date=10 June 2024|date=4 April 2022|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/224862-obstriluvali-hati-ta-pidirvali-mist-ak-rosijski-vijskovi-vihodili-z-konotopsini/|first=Ігор|last=Стрельцов|title=Обстрілювали хати та підірвали міст. Як російські військові виходили з Конотопщини}}</ref> In Chernihiv Oblast, Horodnia, {{ill|Shestovytsia|uk|Шестовиця}}, and Novyi Bykiv were recaptured between 1 and 2 April.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Mason|last1=Clark|first2=George|last2=Barros|first3=Karolina|last3=Hird|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, 2 April|date=2 April 2022|access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref>
Ukrainian forces recaptured almost the entirety of Chernihiv Oblast and much of Sumy Oblast on 3 April.<ref name=Sumy46842455 /> On 4 April, the Zhytomyr Oblast was declared liberated.<ref name="zhytomyr" /> Also on 4 April, Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian troops no longer occupied any towns or villages in Sumy Oblast and had mostly withdrawn, while Ukrainian troops were working to push out the remaining units.<ref name=Sumy46842455>[https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/russian-troops-no-longer-hold-any-settlements-in-ukraines-sumy-region-says-governor Russian troops no longer hold any settlements in Ukraine's Sumy region, says governor], ''National Post'' (4 April 2022)</ref> Governor Chaus stated that the Russian military pulled back from the regional capital of Chernihiv, while "some troops" remained in the province.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 2022 |title=Some Russian Troops Still in Northern Ukrainian Region of Chernihiv – Governor |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-04-04/some-russian-troops-still-in-northern-ukrainian-region-of-chernihiv-governor |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> Russian forces reportedly planted mines in many areas where they retreated from.<ref name="846757ukranews">[https://ukranews.com/en/news/846757-russian-military-leaves-chernihiv-region-plants-mines-in-many-areas-governor-chaus Russian Military Leaves Chernihiv Region, Plants Mines In Many Areas – Governor Chaus], Ukrainian News Agency (4 April 2022)</ref> On 6 April, the Pentagon confirmed that the Russian army left Chernihiv Oblast, while Sumy Oblast remained contested.<ref name="withdrawal">{{Cite news |date=6 April 2022 |title=Pentagon: Russia has fully withdrawn from Kyiv, Chernihiv |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/04/06/pentagon-russia-withdraws-kyiv-chernihiv/ |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> On 8 April, Governor Zhyvytskyi stated that all Russians troops left Sumy Oblast. He added that the territory of the region was still unsafe due to rigged explosives and other ammunition left behind by Russian troops.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sumy region liberated from Russian troops |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/8/7338013/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref>
==Aftermath== After Ukraine had fully retaken Kyiv Oblast, its military began to mop up pockets of isolated Russian troops who had been left behind in the retreat. The Institute for the Study of War assessed that these remnant groups did not offer organized resistance. The Institute for the Study of War also said that some of the Russian units that were pulled back to Belarus and western Russia would "remain combat ineffective for a protracted period".<ref name="ISW assessment" />
On 6 April 2022, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that the Russian "retraction, resupply, and redeployment" of their troops from the Kyiv area should be interpreted as an expansion of Putin's plans for his military actions against Ukraine, by redeploying and concentrating his forces on Eastern Ukraine and Mariupol within the next two weeks, as a precursor to the further expansion of Putin's actions against the rest of Ukraine.<ref name="news.yahoo.com">{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/nato-chief-says-putin-still-144125043.html |title=NATO chief says Putin still wants to control all of Ukraine, despite repositioning forces to the eastern Donbas region |first1=Jake |last1=Epstein |first2=John |last2=Haltiwanger |date=6 April 2022 |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>
Ukrainian border guards returned to border regions of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts by 11 April. A large concentration of Russian forces remained near Sumy Oblast.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Українські прикордонники відновлюють контроль на кордоні Сумщини |url=https://suspilne.media/227561-ukrainski-prikordonniki-vidnovluut-kontrol-na-kordoni-sumsini/ |website=Суспільне Новини |date=2022-04-11|access-date=2022-06-07|language=uk|first=Суспільне|last=Крістіна Члек}}</ref>
[[File:На Київщині прикордонники, спільно із побратимами зі ЗС України, дістали на сушу вертоліт рашистів.webm|thumb|Russian helicopter recovered from the Kyiv Reservoir, May 2022]] As the second phase of the invasion began, Kyiv was left generally free from attack apart from isolated missile strikes, one of which occurred during the 28 April 2022 visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who met with Zelenskyy to discuss the fate of survivors at the siege of Mariupol.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine in 'a fight for life' in Donbas region, Zelenskyy says in nightly address; Russian strike kills at least 1 in Kyiv: Live updates |first1=Celina |last1=Tebor |first2=Ryan W. |last2=Miller |first3=Christal |last3=Hayes |first4=Jeanine |last4=Santucci |date=30 April 2022 |access-date=2 June 2022 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/biden-seeks-33-billion-aid-070001472.html |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527160205/https://news.yahoo.com/biden-seeks-33-billion-aid-070001472.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 14 June 2024 Russian president Putin claimed that "Russian troops were near Kyiv in March 2022", but "There was no political decision to storm the three-million-strong city; it was a coercive operation to establish peace."<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin claims he did not plan to storm Kyiv in 2022|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/06/14/7460780/|access-date=14 June 2024|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=14 June 2024|language=English}}</ref>
On 10 June 2025, a Radio Liberty investigation had identified 898 Russian personnel who had been treated in hospitals during the offensive on Kyiv. The group claimed that some of them had been complicit in war crimes committed in the region.<ref name="q752">{{cite web |title=Journalists identify Russian soldiers who received medical treatment in Belarus after march on Kyiv – photos |website=Ukrainska Pravda |date=2025-06-10 |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/06/10/7516548/ |access-date=2025-07-25}}</ref>
==Humanitarian situation and war crimes== {{Further information|Bucha massacre}} [[File:Bucha after Russian occupation (04).jpg|thumb|Exhuming a mass grave after the Bucha Massacre]] Ukrainian authorities said that more than 300 civilian inhabitants of Bucha had been summarily executed in what would be known as the Bucha massacre. The bodies were discovered after the Russians withdrew.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 April 2022 |title=War in Ukraine: Street in Bucha found strewn with dead bodies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60967463 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403134330/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60967463 |url-status=live}}</ref> In total, 458 civilian deaths were recorded in Bucha,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date=3 September 2022 |title='We Do Not Want Unknown Graves': The Struggle to Identify Bucha's Victims |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/03/world/europe/ukraine-bucha-massacre-victims.html |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-16 |title=Burying and remembering those lost in a Ukrainian city attacked by the Russians – 60 Minutes – CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-bucha-mass-grave-60-minutes-2022-10-16/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> along with 1,300 deaths in Russian-occupied areas of Kyiv Oblast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=June 18, 2022 |title=Death in Ukraine: A Special Report |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/18/world/ukraine-russia-news-deaths |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times}}</ref>
A Russian airstrike on the local power plant on 3 March 2022 cut off the electricity and heating supply in the city of Okhtyrka.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6154672/russian-troops-shell-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/|title=Russian Forces Take Control of Europe's Biggest Nuclear Plant After Shelling It|author1=Jim Heintz|author2=Yuras Karmanau|author3=Mstyslav Chernov|magazine=Time|date=March 3, 2022|access-date=March 4, 2022|archive-date=March 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304044013/https://time.com/6154672/russian-troops-shell-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 9 March, in Velyka Pysarivka, three civilians were killed due to Russian bombing according to Zhyvytskyi.<ref name=":8">{{cite news |author=Olga Glushchenko |date=10 March 2022 |title=Ворожа авіація бомбила вночі околиці Сум і Охтирку – голова ОДА |language=Ukrainian |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/10/7329936/ |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311100706/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/10/7329936/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
After 01:30 on 10 March, Russian airstrikes destroyed a gas pipeline in Okhtyrka. According to governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Russian shelling on the territory of the former Elektrobutprilad plant in Trostianets had killed three civilians.<ref name=":8" /> At 14:20, Russian forces shelled the city of Nizhyn using BM-27 Uragan, reportedly killing two civilians.<ref name="10March">{{cite news|url=https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2022/03/10/novyna/suspilstvo/okupanty-obstrilyaly-nizhyn-urahaniv|title=Окупанти обстріляли Ніжин із "Ураганів"|work=Slovo i Dilo|date=10 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313165935/https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2022/03/10/novyna/suspilstvo/okupanty-obstrilyaly-nizhyn-urahaniv|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 March, two civilians were reportedly killed overnight due to Russian shelling in the village of {{ill|Kerdylivshchyna|uk|Кердилівщина}} in Sumy Oblast.<ref name="11March1">{{cite news |author=Roman Petrenko |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Росіяни обстріляли будинки в селі на Сумщині, двоє загиблих |language=Ukrainian |work=Ukrainska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/11/7330312/ |access-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311075256/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/11/7330312/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Modern history|Ukraine|Russia}} * Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) * Eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war * Southern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war *{{Commons-inline}} *{{Wikinews inline|Russian forces approach Ukraine's capital Kyiv}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite book| last1 = Cooper | first1 = Tom | last2 = Fontanellaz | first2 = Adrien | last3 = Crowther | first3 = Edward | last4 = Sipos | first4 = Milos | title = War in Ukraine: Russian Invasion, February 2022| publisher = Helion & Company| date = 2023| isbn = 978-1-80451-216-6}} * {{cite book| last = Harrel| first = John S.| title = The Russian Invasion of Ukraine, February – December 2022: Destroying the Myth of Russian Invincibility| publisher = Pen & Sword Military| date = 2024| isbn = 978-1-399-03176-9}} * {{cite book| last = Lawrence| first = Christopher A.| title = The Battle for Kyiv: The Fight for Ukraine's Capital| publisher = Frontline Books| date = 2024| isbn = 978-1-399-04848-4}} * {{cite book| last = Plokhy| first = Serhii |author-link=Serhii Plokhy| title = Chernobyl Roulette: A War Story| publisher = Allen Lane| date = 2024| isbn = 978-0-241-68125-1}}
{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Northern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Northern Category:February 2022 in Ukraine Category:March 2022 in Ukraine Category:Articles containing video clips Category:April 2022 in Ukraine Category:Kyiv Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Zhytomyr Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Sumy Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Chernihiv Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine