An informant reported about the Russian plans to seize the airfield in Hostomel: Budanov tells how Moscow's blitzkrieg was thwarted

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine knew about the plans of the Russian occupants to seize the Antonov airfield in Hostomel (Kyiv region) in advance. A "reliable informant" warned Ukrainians about such intentions of the aggressor.

The battle for the airfield began on the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion – February 24, 2022. In an interview with the German Zeit newspaper, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov shared the details of these events.

The lieutenant general said that Ukrainian intelligence had been informed of the enemy's plan to seize Antonov and land thousands of its soldiers there.

The most experienced special forces scouts joined the defense of the facility.

"I saw [Russian helicopters] and thought they were very close. I felt scared, but then the adrenaline kicked in," recalled one of the DIU soldiers.

Budanov reported on the operational situation at the airfield to President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. The head of Ukrainian intelligence received data from his units that were performing tasks in the field.

"It is clear that people who see dozens of helicopters firing in their direction are not entirely happy," the lieutenant general said.

In the second half of February 24, Ukrainian soldiers launched a counterattack against the Russian group. By the end of the night, about 80 paratroopers of the aggressor country were eliminated in the battle.

The runway had to be damaged by Ukraine's artillery to prevent Russian military transport aircraft from using the airfield.

"A desperate battle for the airfield in Hostomel disrupted the Moscow blitzkrieg and crushed the intentions of terrorist Russia to occupy Kyiv "in three days," the DIU's Telegram channel noted.

As OBOZ.UA wrote earlier:

– Earlier, Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that the Russian Federation had somehow managed to obtain secret information about our counteroffensive plans. The head of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate called it a serious problem and said that measures were being taken.

– Earlier, Budanov said that rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities have recently decreased as Russian troops have reduced their supplies.

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