Ukraine says its forces have reclaimed control of Antonov International Airport about 25 miles from the country’s capital, Kyiv, several hours after Russian airborne troops took it over.
Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, said Thursday night that an airport seen as a major asset to Russian troops to land military planes in the country was back under Ukraine’s control, calling it the “first big victory” in a statement.
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“An hour ago, our paratroopers by helicopters worked out the Gostomel airfield with nurses,” Gerashchenko wrote, as translated by the Kyiv Independent.
Gerashchenko claimed that surviving Russian paratroopers had fled.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense indicated Ukrainian forces were fending off Russian planes landing at the site for the time being but did not go as far to claim victory.
? Заступник Міністра оборони України Ганна Маляр:
Гостомель
Активними діями Збройних Сил України не дали висадити основні сили десанта ворога в Гостомелі. Триває бій з передовою групою, яка зазнала втрат після вогневого ураження.— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 24, 2022
“Active actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not allow to land the main forces of the enemy landing in Gostomel. The battle continues with the advanced group, which suffered losses after the fire,” the ministry wrote in a tweet.
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Ukrainian troops continue to defend the country after Russia launched a multipronged attack early Thursday morning.
