In the battles for the Ukrainian Antonov airfield, Russia lost about 200 elite combat specialists in airfield and airport capture who have been participating in military exercises of this type for decades.
This was stated by the commander of a special forces unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, an intelligence officer who took part in the battle for Kyiv, at a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps of more than 70 countries, the intelligence website reports.
According to the military officer, Moscow planned to seize the airport near Kyiv to turn it into a hub for the rapid transfer of equipment and manpower by transport aircraft for the further occupation of the Ukrainian capital.
"It seems that the Russians thought they would repeat the scenario of seizing the airfield, as they did during the "Pristina offensive" in Kosovo on 12 June 1999. They thought that in Hostomel they would repeat the scenario of seizing the airfield, as during the events in Kazakhstan in early January 2022. They were so overconfident, not realising that they were dealing with Ukrainians," the intelligence officer said.
The intelligence officer said that the actions of the intelligence special forces and other units of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine in Hostomel were aimed at destroying as many enemy forces and means as possible and preventing the capture of the airfield.
As a result of the fierce fighting, the runways at the airport became unsuitable for Russian transport planes with troops and equipment, and the occupiers suffered significant losses.
The officer called on the ambassadors of 70 countries to support the peace formula and put pressure on Russia.
On 24 February 2022, an enemy landed at the Hostomel airport. The Armed Forces were forced to launch an artillery strike on the airport.
The occupiers then took control of the runway. Soon after, the Armed Forces of Ukraine recaptured the Russian invaders' positions.
In two days, at least 50 occupants from the 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade (Ulyanovsk) were killed in the battle for Hostomel.