Battle of Trostianets
| Battle of Trostianets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Northeastern Ukraine offensive and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine | |||||||
.jpg) Aftermath of fighting in the town | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Russia |
 Ukraine | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 3+ soldiers killed,[2] 10 soldiers captured[3] | Unknown | ||||||
| 57+ civilians killed[4][5] | |||||||
The battle of Trostianets was a military engagement during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The city of Trostianets, in Sumy Oblast, was attacked by Russian forces of the 1st Guards Tank Army in late February as part of the Northeastern Ukraine offensive. Occupied for just over a month, it was re-captured by Ukrainian forces in late March, with the 1st Guards being badly mauled in the processes.
Battle[edit]
Russian offensive[edit]
Trostianets was attacked on the first day of the invasion, 24 February.[6][2] Ukrainian territorial defense forces felled trees on the main routes into town, slowing the Russian advance.[4] After fighting, the city was captured by Russian forces on 1 March 2022.[1][7][6] The Russian military headquarters was established at the town's main train station.[8][9] In mid-March, some Russian troops were replaced with Russian-supported separatist forces.[2]
Approximately 800 Russian troops occupied the city.[2] During the occupation, Ukrainian police officers remained in the city incognito, supporting both local civilians and partisan forces operating in the area.[2] Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge to the south of the city, stalling the Russian advance deeper into Ukraine.[4] The town's mayor, Yuriy Bova, hid in nearby villages, receiving some criticism for his decision not to stay in town, but continued to coordinate Ukrainian resistance, including shelling of Russian positions.[4] Reports of executions of civilians by Russian troops began in early March.[4]
Ukrainian counter attack[edit]
A Ukrainian counter-offensive beginning on 23 March recaptured the city by 26 March.[10][2] During the fighting, the town's hospital was shelled, with residents blaming Russian forces.[2] After combat and shelling around the outskirts of the city, Russian troops largely withdrew overnight before the arrival of Ukrainian forces.[11] An AFP report recorded "a dozen" destroyed or damaged tanks and armored vehicles.[9] The New York Times reported that food had grown scarce by the time the city was recaptured by Ukraine.[2]
Aftermath[edit]
After the fighting ceased, regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi stated that some parts of the town remained mined, and that inflows of humanitarian aid were being arranged.[12][13] Mayor Bova stated that at least 50 civilians had been killed by Russian occupiers.[4]
After the occupation of the city, seven civilians were killed and at least two wounded due to traps laid by Russian soldiers across the town.[14]
Trostianets Museum of Local Lore, located in a 19th-century manor
Inside the museum
A forestry research station, located in a building built 1911 which is an architectural monument of national importance
Wreckage from a Russian column destroyed near Trostianets on 17 March
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References[edit]
- ^ a b c Mendick, Robert; Freeman, Colin; Kilner, James (2022-03-27). "Legendary Stalingrad tank division destroyed as Ukraine reclaims key town". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gibbons-Neff, Thomas; Yermak, Natalia; Hicks, Tyler (2022-04-03). "'This Is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
- ^ "Mariupol on verge of catastrophe with 160,000 trapped". 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ a b c d e f Walker, Shaun (5 April 2022). "'Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ "Five children killed by Russian mines and tripwires in Trostianets".
- ^ a b "Trostyanets captured by aggressor – head of Regional Military Administration". Interfax-Ukraine. Archived from the original on 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
- ^ Reuter, Christoph (2022-03-29). "(S+) Ukraine: Wie die Stadt Trostjanez nach vier Wochen von den Russen befreit wurde". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "Ukraine says it retook captured town near Russian border". Times of Israel. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ a b "Russians leave behind wreckage, hunger in Ukraine town of Trostyanets". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 2022-03-30. Archived from the original on 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ Pahulych, Roman (30 March 2022). "Ukrainian Forces Recapture Eastern Town Near Russian Border". Radio Free Europe. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Rosa, Andrea; Dana, Felipe (2022-03-29). "After Russian forces pull back, a shattered town breathes". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ Chernova, Yuliya; Coles, Isabel; Colchester, Max (2022-03-27). "Ukraine Seeks to Exploit Shift in Russia's Military Strategy". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "Russians plant mines in hospital before retreating from Trostianets". Ukrinform. 2022-03-27. Archived from the original on 2022-03-27. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ "Five children killed by Russian mines and tripwires in Trostianets". www.ukrinform.net. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
