The Hidden Battle that Saved Ukraine

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It is 8 am on February 24, 2022. Although no one in Ukraine realizes it yet, what is about to unfold in a relatively unassuming part of the country will be arguably the single most important event in Ukrainian history. The stakes could not be higher: the country itself is on the line. This is story of the Battle of Hostomel Airport.
0:00 Introduction
1:43 Prologue
6:12 Mobilization
10:36 Russia's Plan
14:44 The First Shots
16:37 Interlude
17:58 Ukraine's Back Up Plan
20:43 The Counterattack
23:51 Epilogue
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From Vasiliy Koba:
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From Vitaly V. Kuzmin:
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From Igor Dvurekov:
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From Alex Beltyukov:
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From OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine:
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From Clemens Vasters:
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From Dmitriy Pichugin:
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[@Gametheory101]

Correction at 5:00 It was Columbia that broke apart, not Discovery.

[@bungalowjuice7225]

Yes, it ruined the whole video! Just kidding. :P

[@Slavic_Goblin]

You know, battle for Hostel airport is hardly a "hidden battle". That's a bit more clickbait than I think is seemly for a serious channel.

[@saicau6505]

also... it's KA-52 not 25 as you mentioned at 16:05

[@wafflesaurus_supreme]

Another correction @25:50 Wouldn't the Moskva cruiser be considered the single most expensive loss of the war? Its estimated value was said to be 750 million USD.

[@dewiz9596]

Good. I can go away now. . . 😉

[@wc8246]

I can’t imagine how embarrassing it must’ve have been for Putin to have the US basically reading out all his war plans to Ukraine

[@DOSFS]

Either US is just too good or Russia has serious problem about data security... I bet the later one

[@afonsords]

Probably screaming at his generals like a madman, hitler style

[@redsun9261]

Too bad ukrainian soldiers that are dying in thousands are not americans too. It would be fair at least.

[@afonsords]

@@redsun9261 A world war 3 would be fair to whom exactly?

[@michaekrynicki8330]

@@redsun9261 it is they war they have proved they dont want be russian slaves

[@sarahsanford3682]

Just an interesting note that often gets overlooked in the West. In Onuch and Hale's book The Zelensky Effect, they note that while Zelenskyy's approval rating was low, it was multiple times higher that previous Ukrainian presidents at the same time in their presidency, and that's even after Zelenskyy had to deal with the Eastern conflict and COVID. So, by Western standards that is low approval rating, by Ukrainian standards it is relatively high.

[@funram]

Plus he was still the most popular politician and basically every pundit argued he would be easily reelected in 2024, and more importantly his party would probably keep an absolute majority. Which meant the prospect of at least a decade of political stability, something Ukraine had never experienced since the independence. I personnaly believe that's one of the main reasons why Putin launched the invasion : a stable Ukraine would be much more difficult to pressure ; he could tolerate an independent Ukraine as long as it's weak, corrupt and easily pressured into obedience, but not a Ukraine able to actually be sovereign.

[@E4439Qv5]

@@funram Don't forget Sevastopol.

[@johnathanhughes9881]

The other thing is a critical failure for Russians to understand a democracy at all. Yes, Zelenskyy was unpopular. But there's a difference between supporting an alternative leader (e.g. Zelenskyy's opposition) and supporting an attack on that country. OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE NOT USUALLY TRAITORS. They are loyal citizens of the country. Loyal Ukrainians who supported Zelenskyy's opponents were never going to support a Russian invasion. This was never more than a fantasy[1]. Had the Russians truly understood how a democracy works, they'd have known this. [1] Pro-Russian factions existed, but they did not constitute a majority or even a large minority.

[@davidford3115]

No doubt his famous meme "I don't need a ride, I need ammunition!" Rallied folks to Ukraine's defense. Had he fled, Kiev would have fallen that very night.

[@roberttaylor3594]

interesting to know, and illuminating.

[@newug3347]

All in all, I will always give praise to the Ukrainians for not giving up. We love you Ukrainians from Africa and thank you for loving your country up to the point of dying for it.

[@me21212]

Exactly!! That is how we Ethiopians fought with Italy and saved our country till today. Unfortunately, we fight each other every time for no apparent reason. Determination is the name of the game.

[@Waaz732]

@Bernhard Schwarz That time when we were Hunters and Gatherers rather than Settlers:

[@me21212]

@@Waaz732🤣🤣

[@martadelupio1454]

We love Ukranians!!’

[@corinnem.239]

🇺🇲♥️🇺🇦

[@andrews1078]

"Act 2, Russia would be that silly" Had me in stitches. Great insight and delivery.

[@SgtZaqq]

As a Ukrainian from Kyiv, this battle is definitely not "hidden" for me. Hostomel was constantly talked about in the first days of the invasion. An excellent video nonetheless.

[@ACDSea]

Same here. Maybe it was worldwide not much talked about

[@ThatPianoNoob]

I'm from Germany and I've heard about it a lot. Like literally the most talked about thing before the convoy. Good thing for this KZbinr that people are forgetful af.

[@HingerlAlois]

It definitely was constantly talked about in media all around the world.

[@yu7mages]

nobody asked for your opinion hohol

[@Jolluna]

Zaqq, fear not, it is a very well known battle by many people worldwide. It was the very first strike, so we know and remember. This is a video that seems to be addressed to the layman but many eyes were already on your country and, on those particular first days, on Hostomel. As much as the eyes are on Bakhmut at the moment and as they were on Lysychansk/Severodonesk last summer. Stay safe!

[@matiashogden1240]

Chief NCO of the Norwegian Navy recently stated he has never slept better than now, as most of the arctic units from Murmansk/Cola Peninsula have been entirely destroyed.

[@allenseeallendo5844]

That’s going to be expensive to retrain those units.

[@matiashogden1240]

@@allenseeallendo5844 Yeah well i hope to god they don't send untrained conscripts up here. Ours are better ;)

[@geraltofrivia8529]

He's deluded then, most of the "special operation" was carried out by foreign troops. Very few russians were involved.

[@matiashogden1240]

@@geraltofrivia8529 You would actually be mistaken there. An example being the 200th motorized rifle brigade, usually stationed by the Norwegian border. Their trip down to Ukraine was well documented by their own troops on various social media up until they were mostly annihilated around Kharkiv last year. Also, you might imagine that him and the TACCOM of NATOs northern maritime forces might have more accurate intelligence than you do.

[@rosalbadelriogarcia9598]

There are lots of rumors of what is going on in the #ArticCircle but I'm willing to bet that there is nothing to invade in the North Pole #Russia has a 50 plus percentage of Artic border compared to the rest and the #NatoNews allies have been playing way games for over 15 years there. Each one of 14 nations wanting a piece of the crude oil prize has slowly been eliminated now there are 8 and just like it was do e in zbenezuela and Mexico the USA in kohoots with the party at Davos will eventually steal all the oil. Then they will have the free reign over the human animals to chip them like dogs(that's us, we won't be sheep anymore)... We know too much like in video games watching from the inside out. There will be #nuclearWar

[@Paul-ex9td]

Thank you for such an excellent inside investigation of the beginning of the Russian - Ukrainian war and how something most think unimportant, becomes a very disisive point within the War. And keep up the excellent reporting. From Paul Morrison from Canada.

[@eLSkilo]

Brother I didn’t knew about this epic battle, thank you for the knowledge I will spread the word with friends and family

[@toptiertonye3691]

My favorite part “there’s no way Russia would be that silly? Act 2,…Russia would be that silly” lol lol priceless

[@aaronford7124]

Caught that myself!!!

[@andrewroby1130]

Cue the "It's Always Sunny" theme...

[@dennisynborg6004]

For a very long time i thought that Russia was simply playing the role of a rabid dog, not actually beeing one. The Crimea annexation cured me of that dilusion. Even when the green men with equipment that "can be bought in any military store" where crawling all over Crimea, i still thought Russia was doing a calculated move, just showing that they are capable of doing it and then pull back. I watched the Putin speech live when they annexed Crimea. Up to the point that Putin formally said it, I still believed they where playing a game. My entire view of the Russian Federation was shatterd. I was utterly shocked, literaly. The propaganda machine churning the the federations minds into nationalistic pulp and painting everything and everyone as enemeis had been in full swing. This was apparent full war preparation of the populus for a decade. The news on February 24-th just filled me with rage. But... I was not surprised. If the invasion would have gone according to Putins plan, I am convinced that within 5-10 years, my homecountry would be under militarely attacked.

[@cSwDamian]

It is a common military practice to do what the enemy wouldn't think you would do. Ruzzians are stupid as fuck though 😃

[@johng4093]

Would have used "stupid" myself, but still a funny moment.

[@HiddenKenshin]

I have certainly caught bits and pieces of this battle. Russian media went on the tarmac, filmed the devastated airport in a needlessly excited fashion and then pointed to Ukraine as saboteurs of their own infrastructure. It's glorious to see all the different bits of footage and reporting come together. Once again helps me make sense of the world. Thank you, William!

[@rightside1911]

well as a man that was there with the Ukraine national guard operator starsky said they did shell the airport so the russian cargo planes could not use the runway those planes were on the way and had to be turned back and vdv didnt get the support they needed.

[@MacLeeland]

That's a bit rich comming from a nation known for it's "scorched earth"-tactics.

[@mrbisshie]

Have they never heard of scorched Earth? Them scorching the air port, probably saved Kiev.

[@Mantarr1]

Did you see that BBC reporters were there on the spot at Hostomel at a quiet point in the fighting and started to interview an 'Ukraine defender'. The defender then told them they were RUSSIAN. Woops. There is a utube video about this by the BBC.

[@hamms35]

Interesting perspectives😊

[@cesaravegah3787]

One of the best videos I had seen about the battle, is impressive how fast history is being created nowdays

[@HeyGuy4321]

I love hearing about the first part of the war. I've been eagerly awaiting content about this critical battle

[@michaelmueller9635]

There is one additional detail: The first Russian paratroopers were not equipped with (enough) night-visions. So the time of attacking Hostomel was in the early morning hours, not in the night. And the Ukrainians were able to react to the attack more quickly and were less caught by surprise.

[@romxxii]

and you know what the paratroopers carried instead? Dress uniforms. They really thought they were walking in unopposed and celebrating in Kyiv the next day.

[@mitotakjde9763]

@@romxxii yeah, i would see that as an extreme betrayal from the government if i was one of the paratroopers.. They said that there would be close to no fighting and that it will be over in 3 days, i wouldn't believe their intel ever again. They planned it inadequately and because of the leadership, many troops were massacred. Im still uncertain if the reason for that is bad intel(everyone lying in their reports), incompetent leadership or if they believed that the west would just do nothing. Idk, from Russian side, its just stupidity Olympics, between their leaders. I just don't understand things they do, and i really want to know the real reasons. What sucks is that it will take decades to fully find out what was going on in their heads

[@dutchrjen]

@@romxxii A good military should hope for the best but always plan for the worst. US soldiers look like pack rats just going out on mundane patrols. On the other hand, Russian "elite" soldiers pack for a parade when air dropping into a major airport outside of the capital of a country of 44,000,000 people with a still functional military of a few hundred thousand.

[@luisbetebcourt]

the airpot was all flatten out by russians , what the hell are you talking about???

[@romxxii]

@@luisbetebcourt flattened out with the corpses of the VDV, you mean.

[@mland2012]

After such a dark first day of the war, I remember hearing about the defense at Hostomel and getting the first real feeling of hope that we weren't going to see a rout of Ukraine. It didn't feel like much at the time, but it was something. And almost a year later, we can see that that hope was real.

[@rex30000]

you will see the defeat of Ukraine (in fact, the defeat of the "Collective West").. Of course, it is difficult for Russia to fight with 45 countries from the Western Bloc.. but for now, Russia is coping and grinding Western weapons and soldiers of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi dictatorship.. but I think the West will not stop.. and Russia will have to use nuclear weapons to destroy the Western predator.. russia is big.. part of the population and Russian civilization will be able to survive in Sibir.. but the world will get rid of the West forever.

[@janisladigs7825]

When I saw that my first thought was:"Oh...they haven't learned anything from 94' Grozny, they actually think they gonna drop troops 150km behind highly motivated enemy lines and just waltz into a city of 3 million. This is gonna be slaughter, time to get a popcorn out!"

[@rex30000]

@@janisladigs7825 those famous dumb Westerners again.. is it possible for a group of 15 thousand to capture a city with a population of 3 million? It is obvious that these amphibious units were supposed to distract Ukrainian units from the main actions in the Donbas.. this is understood by everyone except stupid Western couch experts..

[@personal8580]

BET this dude watched The Infographics Show.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MegaBanne]

Russia never had a chance.

[@futball51]

I follow a bunch of OSINT people on twitter and knew about the importance of this battle basically as it was happening, but I really really enjoyed this video. It’s wild how off of many of the important issues and events the mainstream reporting is

[@MegaBanne]

The importance of the battle is heavily overstated. An airport is not a magical portal in to Russia. They need to fly trough Ukraine's intact air defenses. They tried and lost 200 to 300 shock troops in one transport plane crash. There was no support coming for the men that held the airport.

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

A town founded in 1494, saved an entire country from being annexed. It needs to be rewarded hero city status tbh.

[@bogdan8443]

You know-it was) in March our president created old/new recognition "Hero city" and Hostomel was one of them

[@luisbetebcourt]

the initila plan was not to take a city, full of civilinas, it would be too much easy, , it was justa disctraction while they were fighiting in donebass and crimeia. thna they lefto to donebas..

[@jonathanodude6660]

@@luisbetebcourt do you still get paid even if your comment is unreadable?

[@Mainyehc]

@@jonathanodude6660 even his name seems to have a typo in it 😂

[@concept5631]

@@luisbetebcourt Is English your 5th language?

[@UsikArtem]

As a Ukrainian, I know the actions. But the quality and realness of the storytelling made me watch the whole video thrilled. Thank you, William Spaniel.

[@RazorsharpLT]

The entire world is with you well, except what Russian side describe as the "Free" world, which is the countries of Eritrea, Cuba, Syria, Belarus, Venezuela, North Korea... truly the marks of human "freedom" and "prosperity"

[@Bruhman_15]

Слава України

[@UsikArtem]

@Bernhard Schwarz TIME named our president Person of the year, and published a great article to explain that. Trolls give him different names, but never able to provide any Valid proofs.

[@A1multimedia13]

@@bernhardschwarz6792 for Ukraine, they are not getting enough MONEY for buying weapons,how can you ask whether anything has changed for the citizens. Bloody unjust Russia has damaged the nation almost 90% what can the citizens expect noe

[@nathanpetersen2476]

@Bernhard Schwarz unless you can account for every single dollar the government touches in your home country, leave the dude alone. You act like each individual of the 40+ million people in Ukraine is personally responsible for the corruption in their country, and not the decades/centuries of Soviet/Russian oppression and sudden collapse of the USSR. They have been getting better and would be miles ahead if it weren't for Russian intervention and oppression. We should be helping them escape Russia's grimy hands, not abandoning them because of it.

[@MariBorow]

This battle was on every media in my country (Poland) and everyone was describing it as crucial in first days. So not very "hidden" 😜

[@tomlxyz]

Same for me

[@justinwillingale2086]

Poland has their own political interests in Ukraine . Poland is the one reviving their commonwealth that they lost to the Russians. We can’t trust anything you guys are saying anymore just like how you murdered 6000 Germans on your side of the boarder and said it was propaganda but the truth is that’s the real reason Germany invaded you like the Ukrainians who murdered thousands of Russian civs in 2014

[@douglasreid7330]

Mariusz, please forgive the dramatic license. It was not a major flaw, if a fllaw ar all, in the story telling.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

Yeah, almost immediately we heard about the An-225 getting destroyed in the US. It was the first big news after the invasion.

[@MegaBanne]

It wasn't as important as he tries to make it sound. Ukraine where shooting down any transport plane trying to land on Hostomel airport. Not taking the airport didn't give Russia airsuperiority. This very stupid for someone who is suppose to be an expert in this field.

[@billotto602]

I just recently found your channel. Quite frankly, I think you have the best of any other channel out there dealing with the Ukraine situation. You give it all straight off the top of the deck with, as far as I've been able to ascertain, no bias. You hammer whomever has screwed up, be it Russia, Ukraine or any of the western countries supporting Ukraine. I've saved almost all of your videos & will be spending the next several hours watching them. It's really nice to be retired 😊. Thank you for the immense work you've obviously put in to these.

[@TWE_2000]

There were also FSB officers being transported with the VDV to Hostomel, believing they would basically just be able to walk into Kiev and meet with contacts to help organize the new puppet government. Really shows just how ridiculously overconfident they were in there belief they could just march into Ukraine and face no resistance

[@manjelos]

True, they did sent also anti riot police with no combat equipment for the war. They was prepared to fight riots after occupation of Kiyv. They was so self confident

[@deskejtx6211]

they also send their anti riots police first in Kharkiv

[@schakiarligonde1736]

They didn’t expect any resistance bad intelligence

[@lordagung2394]

​@@manjelosand many anti-riot police killed in ukrainian ambush, i see a video russian sobr (anti-riot police) column messacred by ukrainian ambush

[@tim1398]

Many Ukrainians seemed more pro-soviet prior to the invasion. It's amazing how being invaded can sway your opinion.

[@joaovitormatos8147]

In the first day of the war, I became an armchair correspondent, informing my friends and family about the Ukraine situation, basically translating what I read in Russian and Ukrainian blogs. The first thing I noticed when I heard about Hostomel was its parallels to Seville. In 1936, an army junta based in Spanish Morocco attempted a coup against the Republic. The coup was mostly a failure, with no big cities falling to the rebels, except for one: Seville. The major importance of Seville was its airport, that allowed loyalists to safely fly from Africa to mainland Spain. Had the army lost Seville, this would have come down in history as a failed coup, instead of the onset of a bloody 4-year Spanish Civil War. The airlifting basically guaranteed not only support from nationalists from the colonies but also Italian and German support, which would have been impossible had it come by land or sea. After seeing that, my thought was "really? Russian is using that tactic? Ukraine has a huge border with Russia, can't they just, you know, drive until Kyiv?" And then it hit me: no, they can't. Russian invasions were slow. They took 16 days to invade Georgia, and they only had to take 130 km (about 80 miles) of land. They really were unprepared for this war, and depended on massive amounts of luck. As fate told us, luck was on the Ukrainian side. Thank you for this video

[@Artpsychee]

I would like to thank democrats for saving our planet from Evil Trump. Your vote to Biden made many things better for the free wolr

[@patricklloyd1797]

It was also never supposed to be a proper war. It was supposed to be a shock and awe campaign, with the quick political decapitation of Ukraine and a pro-Russian figure put in place

[@timmrogers8363]

Slava Ukraine!💛🇺🇦💙Pres.Zelenskyy,StaySafe!

[@icosthop9998]

TY for your comment 👍

[@fuzzyhair321]

It wasn't luck, intelligence and some preparation was needed. Russia just showed it's hand to early

[@rubenramirez4322]

Great, Great video. I gotta say, "if your not the best, your damn close to it" You keep making them, I'll keep watching them. ...FANTASTIC!

[@abqcleve]

Dr Spaniel’s work on these videos are the best; absolutely spectacular. Thank you!

[@rikulappi9664]

A great video from a Finnish (reserve) officer point of view. The Russians started according to the Russian field manual (a part of my training) as an airborne landing near the capital. Defending forces reacted as if they they had copied the Finnish field manual: the 300 strong infantry hold the invaders in the airport, artillery did the killing, mechanized troops cleaned up in the end. It may sound alien to Americans, but in Europe near Russia airfields are defended with field artillery...

[@techpriest5452]

Yes its better to fix airfields after the war than let ruskies have it.

[@alantoon5708]

The Ukrainians basically put their own airport out of action to deny its' use as a FOB by the enemy. Or, maybe the famous George C. Scott line from from "Patton"..."Rommel, you son of a bitch...I read your book..."

[@MacLeeland]

​@@techpriest5452 Que Butcher saying "scorched earth".

[@nos4me]

Yup and I also heard the airport was pre-sighted for artillery before the invasion.. so yeah 😃

[@agps4418]

right why have the director of CIA bring russian battle plans if finnish field manual already has it 😂

[@seancarroll9849]

As an aviation/history guy, the 225's loss is one of those things I consider unforgivable. Note: There are a lot of unforgivable actions made by Russia, but from a history aspect, this is where I stand. We have scrapped or used as targets some of the most influential and amazing ships and aircraft the world has ever seen. "They belong in a museum!", as the old Indiana Jones line goes.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Same.

[@olbrue]

This plane was actually lost by Ukraine as they squandered any opportunity to keep the plane viable long before the intervention. The project was so complicated that only All-SU economic cooperation might carry it on.

[@burnttoast111]

@@olbrue It wasn't Ukraine that squandered the opportunity. The director of Antinov, Serhii Bychkov, has been charged with negligence in regards to this. Antinov's management had reported that the An-225 wasn't airworthy, was under maintenance, and had 1 engine removed at the time of the attack. However, an investigation into this found that there was sufficient fuel at the airport, an available crew, and the aircraft was airworthy.

[@cliffsdepot]

The destruction of Mriya is reason enough for Russia to be completely humiliated & shredded as punishment for destroying such an iconic aircraft.

[@bendyloco]

I really loved that plane.

[@tenztaeza3707]

I liked this video, very informative of what happened on Feb 24, 2021. Great work Mr. Spaniel. Thank you.

[@Otterdisappointment]

I heard about how Hostomel was a bloody battle the day it happened and I also heard about a streamlined copy being used to ferry cargo for military purposes whereas the one in the hanger was just an exhibit. Ignoring the fact a better, smaller replacement could easily be made today. But the columns kicking up radioactive dust in Pripyat made headlines.

[@facty_kit1742]

It appeared that Ukraine wasn't preparing for the war. Zelensky constantly ignored even the possibility of the war. This made an illusion that Ukraine wasn't preparing, while in reality the government machinery and the army were prepared. So as soon as war started everything was done on a war footing. Russ did not expect this, they thought the attack is gonna be a surprise. So they did not put much effort into training, logistics etc . They thought they could take Ukr in a few days as Ukr appeared unprepared. So Russ did not put their full force initially( exactly what Ukr wanted, because Ukr did not have capability to face full Russ might without western help). But in reality the Russ conscripts were drawn into meat grinder prepared by Ukr. Ukr air defense systems were ready. All these ultimately led to a brilliant fight back by Ukr. Whoever created this battle plan is the most dange.rous military planner

[@Zarastro54]

Likewise, if Ukraine had openly mobilized before the fighting, it would have caused a mass panic with people clogging up roads and rail lines to flee, and the Russians could have used the mobilization as justification for the invasion.

[@We.1014]

And salute to Ukrainian bravery 🇺🇦

[@sarahsanford3682]

Ukrainian parliament also worried that mass mobilization and digging trenches before the possible invasion would give Russians the ability to say that Ukraine was preparing for war with Russia and allowed Russia to strike first. It might have also given hesitant Western European governments wiggle room to claim that Ukraine brought the war on themselves by "provoking" Russia. Stupid, I know, but plausible that this could have been the case.

[@RobinTheBot]

Basically, but you got a few things wrong in the details. The initial invasion was not conscripts, no conscription had occurred. That's why it was big news when it was announced, because prior to that it has not happened post USSR. THAT WAS their professional army, and where they had resources they did very well for themselves. Then they were killed, leading to many of the problems Russia has now. Ukraine may have used this method, but it was not by military genius. It was a political demand, Westerners are dominated by Aesthetic, not truth, so Ukraine had to keep the Aesthetic of pacifism and victimhood. Additionally, as explained in section 3 of the video, they genuinely had a lot of reasons to not try. Mobilization harms the economy... A mass panic did not seem to be expected, nor did it ever really happen. There was a manageable refugee situation, as expected either way. Ukraine correctly assessed the limits of Western Cowardice, the role of economics and Aesthetics, and created the best possible plan for it... It would have been militarily simpler to just defend at the start AND in depth, but they had to commit to defense in depth. I say this because realism is what won... Relying on military genius is what Russia tried. Reality, of course, always wins in the end.

[@the0ne809]

Russia thought Zelensky would run away and the government would disintegrate like in Afghanistan. That's why Russia went all in into Kyiv during the first few weeks.

[@picturemaker]

I was at Billund Airport with other spectators for the arrival of the 225. It was an incredible experience to have it fly over our heads when coming in to land. Little did we know it would be it's last mission.

[@Red-Magic]

I was at my local city, Fairbanks (Alaska), and I got to see it through the fence when it diverted from Anchorage in May of 2020

[@grahamstrouse1165]

@@Red-MagicThat was really sad.

[@WellnessTheRace]

So sad to hear that the 225 was the sacrificial lamb.

[@burnttoast111]

@@Red-Magic I saw an An-124 at LAX once, also through a fence, and it was quite a sight to behold. I am a little jealous that I never got to see the An-225. Hopefully it will be rebuilt, and I will get that opportunity in the future.

[@JohnTuerlings-bd9dq]

⁠sxZ

[@Paul-md8de]

I live near Brize Norton RAF base in the UK , i remember watching the 225 coming into land there some years ago, what an awesome sight. Slava Ukraine ❤

[@beerenmusli8220]

Wow. This was very enlightening and a great explanation!

[@kevinhumphreys6100]

Hi KC, Brilliant images as usual. I would like to ask you a question. When they build the roadway around the new stand. I believe they are going to lay paving blocks. Would there not be a possibility that as cars drive around the new road. There could be oil, or fuel spillage. Causing discoloured sections.

[@christopherchristianvanlan1809]

I saw a documentary about a group of volunteers who got trapped inside Irpin in a high rise apartment building. They spend one week calling in precise artillery from the 8th floor and the russians were never completely able to cross the river at that spot. They searched through every building except that place. That combination may have saved Kiev

[@popcorn8153]

it's a lot like the battle of Midway. A bunch of US planes just randomly searched for the Japanese fleet, and by coincidence they all converged back to back.

[@zacattack32441]

Do you have link to this article? I was unable to find it, there are a lot of others, and it seems like a good read.

[@christopherchristianvanlan1809]

@@zacattack32441 kzbin.info/www/bejne/opOnf4WDm6Z1jck The character had enough of war and later went home.

[@SunnyBlam]

@@popcorn8153 What exactly happened there?

[@gimmethegepgun]

@@SunnyBlam Several groups of dive bombers, by chance, arrived at the position of the Japanese fleet at the same time, and when the carriers were at their most vulnerable due to a diminished combat air patrol (due to all the torpedo bombers they had been shooting down earlier) and lots of planes on deck with fuel and munitions everywhere. After 6 minutes of fighting, 3 of the 4 Japanese carriers were burning, unusable for flight operations, and all 3 would sink or be scuttled over the next day.

[@SpartanNat]

4:59 Small correction because of the space nerd I am, when mentioning the 2 Shuttle disasters, it was actually Challenger and Columbia. Challenger was on liftoff due to a broken seal on an O-Ring on STS-51L and Columbia was due to uneven heating on the leading edge of a wing due to a foam strike on STS-107.

[@nrwinner]

Caught that too, thanks for the clarification

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

Yeah, for some reason a lot of people (including myself and I literally listened to the report of the Columbia disaster on car radio) make that mistake. Discovery was just retired.

[@cturdo]

Calling the SS program a failure overall is not accurate. It did not accomplish its overly optimistic cheap flight goals, but it did perform the transport and spacecraft deployment and repair roles as well or better than expected.

[@joseph1150]

@@cturdo The SS program was welfare for the Aerospace industry and mediocre engineers.

[@youdonthavetoreadthispost.5850]

Trapped "O"-ring failure in cold weather, as I recall. Once that happens all hell breaks loose. Not a common failure but these rings must have been huge. I'm familiar with some of their applications on a smaller scale. Double-trapped O-rings(2) is preferable.

[@johnpepple5633]

Ukrainians, this me from Nigeria saying, thank you for standing tall in the midst of difficulty and challenging times, weldone for your zeal,courage and bravery in defending your country.

[@louisnaidu9140]

Thank you for the history, pictures and comparisons.

[@cheekibreeki2701]

300 paratrooper deaths in a matter of hours on hostomel airfield. Truly hard to imagine how brutal the fighting must have been

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

Artillery probably did most of it, supposedly they hardly dug in and just stood around buildings in the centre of the complex.

[@schakiarligonde1736]

Yep even if they had taken and held the airport artillery already made the runway useless

[@chrisr4023]

Modern warfare is so brutal for land armies. You are 80℅ of the time killed by a missile/shell you hardly see it coming, or from a drone, or worse a landmine, or a sniper.

[@ReichLife]

If you believe it, given utter lack of any evidence of either it or Ukrainian taking back the airfield for the night.

[@bestopinion9257]

They jumped without parachute.

[@geodkyt]

A key point often missed by many people, including Western oriented military commentators: Russian VDV (airborne) is *nothing* like typical Western airborne forces. Whereas Western forces are invariably light infantry forces who are intended for *strategic* operations launched at up to *intercontinental* operations. Soviet Late Cold War and Russian post-Soviet airborne is an *operational* level force, intended for operations within a few dozen kilometers from Russian lines. They are neither equipped, trained, nor supportable as a deep strike force, nor for holding out those key 48-72 hours or longer without AFVs or any significant mechanized support, nor are Russian armored forces really capable of the kind of rapid deep armored thrust to relive as would be required (much like the failure of Operation Market Garden because Arnhem was, in the words of the movie, "A Bridge Too Far".)

[@JAnx01]

VDV use BTRs and BMDs.

[@icosthop9998]

TY

[@TheArchon100]

Russia is fortunately playing safe but bet your ass that if they feel like it they can go full Soviet they have 10 times more tanks than Ukraine and Ukraine doesn't have much the situation is a exact mirror of WW2 and Ukraine is Germany in 1945, if it comes to it Russia can sustain 100 tanks down in one battle and can replace them especially if they use old tanks to soak up the anti tank first then push through with the t90 and similar , the minute the Russians go Soviet it's over unless nato gets involved and then you can say goodbye to your loved ones because we're getting drafted and nukes will eventually fly , imagine 1,500,000 infantry and upwards of 300-500 tanks on the front instead of a few hundred thousand and a smattering of tanks never over 100 localized to a area

[@Calligraphybooster]

You might like to compare the Russian attempt at Kyiv to ‘Fall Gelb’, the 1940 german attempt to take the Dutch government. Some similarities. Such actions are hard to do.

[@icosthop9998]

@The Archon 1st Russia has to call back the tens of thousands of Russian men that deserted Russia. This *"**#Special_Military_Operation**"* is becoming very unpopular with the Russian people.

[@marymunro1142]

Great videos. Very interesting. Love the narrative.

[@ianedmonds9191]

A company I worked for more than once chartered an antonov to move a Subsea Wellhead to it's intended location. Contractually it was cheaper than missing the deadline to supply. There is an economic case for these things. Also what an amazing technological facility to do without? Who knows when it might be required to move a crazy tonnage about? Better to have that facility than not I think.

[@TWE_2000]

Russian military expert Michael Kofman (who was one of the only ones saying he believed Russia would invade before Feb 24) and who visited Ukraine recently to assess to talk with the people who actually fought in the battles and assess them from on the ground noted that there were FSB agents being transported with the VDV to Hostomel, believing they would basically just be able to walk into Kiev and meet with contacts to help organize the new puppet government.

[@ownpetard8379]

There were Russian saboteurs/assassins in Kyiv. They had specific targets they were seeking. They failed, but they were there.

[@mr.nemesis6442]

Some of the “contacts” never existed in the first place. The guy responsible for maintaining those contacts lied and stole all of the money given to him to create a network is Russian sympathizers in Ukraine.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

I've thought about it for a long time and I can only think there was mass delusion in russia, they honestly thought they would be treated as liberators. Russian invading into kherson were supposedly deeply shocked by the reaction. Utterly bizarre.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

I've thought about it for a long time and I can only think there was mass delusion in russia, they honestly thought they would be treated as liberators. Russian's invading into kherson were supposedly deeply shocked by the reaction. Utterly bizarre.

[@stankparagon]

I myself recall listening to the unencrypted Russian channels during the Battle for Hostomel Airport. I was witnessing history first hand.

[@ConservativeChristian97]

You know where I can listen to the audio or the name of the video.

[@stankparagon]

@@ConservativeChristian97 Unfortunately not, I don't think there are any published videos on KZbin of radio chatter from either sides during the battle at least to my knowledge.

[@gordonferrar7782]

Apparently there was audio footage of Russian soldiers begging for extraction as the were being bombarded by Ukrainian artillery and abandoned at Hostomel knocking about on KZbin.

[@gordonferrar7782]

@Bruhhh Channelyou tube was full of Russian soldiers begging for air support etc in the early days of the war or young soldiers under fire screaming down the line at officers who hadn't done what they promised. It was all unencrypted. It wasn't nice to listen to so alot of it was taken down.

[@maka6134]

@Bruhhh Channel Well yea so far multiple times Russian soldiers disregarded opsec and went live on instagram or screamed on telegram for help. Because it seemed to be their only option.

[@ProfessorJayTee]

Very nice explanation and good detail. Thank you.

[@DrPowerElectronics]

The 225 flew low over my head when I was in Cambridge UK visiting a friend. It was something else! The local news said it was visiting Marshals.

[@compromisedssh]

I like this video a lot and I love this channel's content. All I have to say is that the Battle of Hostomel Airport doesn't seem super hidden to me-- a lot of KZbin channels have covered it at length. What no one ever talks about is the fact that Russia's best troops were flying there and Ukraine managed to shoot all those planes down, killing all of Russia's top tier special forces in the process.

[@yeahyeah9815]

I remember seeing a video interview of a russian survivor of the first wave of paratroopesr. And that he claimed everyone except him and like two other dudes got killed. Dont quote me on that though.

[@concept5631]

@@yeahyeah9815 True or not, that's still a lot of dead people.

[@MacLeeland]

​@@yeahyeah9815 Ha, ha, jokes on you! I'm telling everyone I know that you said that!

[@acctsys]

Iirc, the Ukrainians fought fiercely to pin the Russians down and deny retreat. I thought it was stupid to do so especially as they were up against highly trained soldiers. It turned out to be a fair gamble to kill them while they didn't have much support that would allow their skills to show and destroy Ukrainians.

[@danielheckel2755]

@@yeahyeah9815 Yes, that is what he said. I saw it on Volodymir Zolkin's KZbin Channel, "I stand with Ukraine". I didn't know how important for History that interview would later turn out to be.

[@mrileeks]

Just signed on for work for the first time this year - feeling pretty crap. But a William Spaniel upload and the understanding that no matter how crap my situation is, I'm not living in a war zone or at war - that gives me a bit of hope :)

[@nathannaccache4925]

i see what you did there

[@docbogus6128]

Great start! Fine piece of analysis and narrative.

[@official_alphabet_inc]

I already loved this channel, but 14:43 solidified that love: memes from before most people (being everyone who doesn't read Dawkins) had heard the term "meme" are my favourite!

[@Brocuzgodlocdunfamdogson]

After the war is over and Ukraine inevitably wins, Zelensky might have to abandon suits and shaving forever. The image of him being unshaven, wearing olive drab has become his trademark. A real wartime leader.

[@MacLeeland]

Let's not rule out suits just yet. Imagin that unshaved look in a power suit that brings out broad shoulders and a slim waist.

[@obelic71]

A leader in dire wartimes is often changed after the war. f.e. Winston Churchill was voted out of office 1 month after VE day. Never the less he was and remained the most important leader of Great Britain/UK ever.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

@@obelic71 Then again, he became Prime Minister again from 1951 to 1955...

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

But he never (as far as I have seen) wears camouflage, the brown pixel camo of the Ukrainian Army; so he doesn't try to pass as an operational military man; This is very visible when he goes in liberated places or to military ceremonies, hies bodyguards (SBU?) are in Multicam, the UA personnel are in pixel cam, but he is in solid olive green or black with the Ukrainian trident.

[@user-ul5qy1vx9r]

Zelensky did nothing and do nothing. He even didn't prepare properly when everyone was telling him about future start of ruzzi invasion. Even more, there is many signs of consistent sabotage from zelensky trying to weaken AFU before invasion. Zelensky is a werewoolf, speaking right written texts and words but doing harm by his actions.It's in short, if not to dive deep into details and more. The real heroes are AFU and all people of Ukraine who're resisting. So for me as ukrainian zelelensky is incompetent piece of shit (I would say he's internal enemy trying establish roots for future dictatorship and rising corruption, growing thieves) disguising behind a beautiful cover. So stop making him "The Greatest Hero" or leader. He's not.

[@victorpaslay2062]

Hi William! As a Ukrainian and as a soldier I would like to tell you that your claims that "Ukraine would cease to exist" are a bit exaggerated. I was ready and actually expecting for Kyiv to be captured in the first days of the war, but I was sure that the morale and numerous people on the streets trying to get mobilized would be quite unpleasant guerilla army for invaders. It is really hard to destroy Ukraine, please do not assume the things you can not really check or prove. The real victory is about taking over people's mentality and moscow provides pretty dumb ideas and ideology for Ukrainians. And we just do not believe it. Only russians can believe that shit.

[@victorpaslay2062]

Also, I think the fights inside the city are pretty hard themselves. Mariupol is an example, it is smaller than Kyiv and the sky was under russians. They had to destroy it to occupy the ruins.

[@impossible6689]

Hey, greetings from Lithuania, brother! I totally agree with you, Ukrainian bear was asleep before invasion, now it is awake and it is hungry for ruzzian blood. Keep up the fight, we know you are fighting not only for your country, but also for safety of all eastern europe. Also I wish i could hear about my Ukrianian friend from Ivano Frankiivsk, knowing him, he was probably the first to rush into battle and I hope he is still alive. Also, send best wishes to your fellow soldiers out there from me and the rest of Lithuania, we are all with you on this!

[@nathanlush4451]

Ukraine whas been sentenced to its end by God. Yahweh, the creator and ruler of the universe.

[@SergyOrloff]

@@nathanlush4451 Ukraine will outlive Russia, that's for sure. Ukraine is huge and strong and Putin's idea to conquer it was very stupid. He believed in his own lies. Ukrainians are multi-ethnic and multy-language political nation. Sad that world is finding out about that this way.

[@nathanlush4451]

@@SergyOrloff God says many different things, and as His prophet and spokesman, I say to you again, so that when it happens you will know that God has declared it ahead of time. Way before the war started, that Ukraine will fall. Russia will prevail and the face it's own judgement. God's will has spoken, and nothing can stop it.

[@Red-Magic]

Sad to see the behemoth go. I got to see the An-225 from across a fence, when it was diverted to me local city Fairbanks, in May of 2020. Truly a massive machine

[@jampasurprenant1794]

Absolutely excellent explanation about the Russian invitations of Ukraine , I have been watching the war in Ukraine more than a year now And I still don't understand too much until I watch your video , Thank you for sharing with us .

[@adolfolerito6744]

There’s only one true battle that saved Ukraine forever, and that’s the battle for the hearts and minds of all civilized people 🇺🇦 ❤

[@MacLeeland]

That was never a battle. It's just impossible to not love Ukraine

[@Vimanas.8209]

*UKRAINE WILL DIE*

[@robertslaughter7044]

Civilized people don't support corrupt Facists Dictators like Volodymyr Zelenskyy... Civilized people don't ban all of their Opposition Political Parties... Civilized people don't ban other's language and religion... Civilized people don't shut-down every Radio and TV station, except for the one that belongs to the Facists Dictator. Clearly Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a Corrupt Facists Dictator that is causing death and destruction to his own country and people. No civilized person would support that.

[@MacLeeland]

@@robertslaughter7044 Wait, what? That's Russia, with it's 5 years prison if you say the wrong thing. Ukraine is a democracy.

[@robertslaughter7044]

@@MacLeeland ... Volodymyr Zelenskyy has banned all of his Opposition Political Parties. There is only one Legal Political Party in Ukraine... Zelenskyy's Fascist Party... Democracy requires at least two Political Parties... So how can you call Ukraine a democracy when clearly they are not?

[@madeline6951]

You forgot to mention that we call the aircraft "Мрія" (the Dream) and that battle killed it.

[@hungrymusicwolf]

That really symbolizes the whole situation, doesn't it.

[@DahVoozel]

Russia destroyed the dream, Ukraine will forge a new one.

[@luisbetebcourt]

@@DahVoozel keep dreaming in europe no one want ukranina Banderas poeple over here.

[@FirstDagger]

There is a still one unfinished An-225 Mriya airframe somewhere in Ukraine, the plan is to rebuilt the dream with the unfinished parts, old parts of her dead sister and new parts.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

The destruction of the AN-225 in this battle is one of the best physical metaphor of the tragedy that is this war. Created in cooperation with the various sister republics back when the USSR was alive, it was a manifestation of the Dream Soviet Socialism promised it will fulfill for all mankind. Upon the dissolution of the USSR and thus ending that Dream, the plane automatically became a relic of those glory days and even if those days were gone it still inspire generations of aviation enthusiasts that someday their Dream to see this plane up close, heck be even inside one, come true. The plane itself also lives in a Dream. Since it's a relic of the Soviet days, sooner or later it will too meet its end and since the Soviet Union died violently its death may end in violence. Its destruction in the heat of battle is very poignant for it is like an old photograph showing the old days when the Ukrainians and the Russians, like brothers before the fallout, are together. When the plane burns (like the photo) in the middle of a brother's war, that last remnant of connection is forever severed and all that remains is the bitterness. And thus the plane becomes a Dream in of itself, existing only in the minds of those who see it and know of it. "Dream" really is a fitting name for this plane. Created as a representation of the Dream of a prosperous mankind under Socialism, flew all around the world serving as a Dream to those who saw it and wanted to see it, and died to become a Dream, only existing in the minds of those who see it and know of it...

[@NY51663]

Wow, these are all amazing. Thank you.

[@h1jen1x]

Dude Great content

[@Jonathan_Strange]

What a *superb production* - thank you William Spaniel. This failed attack on Hostomel Airport, finally repelled by Ukrainian soldiers was just incredible! I enjoy watching as many reports on it as I can.

[@maximeme9166]

Can we appreciate the effort he put into this?

[@Gametheory101]

Thanks, I have been writing this one for three months.

[@StayPrimal]

@@Simonix23 Just another 16 years old teenager pathetic comment.

[@TonyRedunzo]

I immediately watched the video when it popped in my youtube queue. I am fascinated by the epic battle for Hostomel. Great job William. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@ThunderAppeal]

@@Gametheory101 3 months and you still got it wrong. The only thing you demonstrate is how any klown in the US can receive a PhD.

[@user-hz2hq3wb8o]

The narrator, clearly narrate, the video and the contents in every video was informative. You got me to subscribe.

[@uncuttcoffeeofficial]

One Hell of a video !!!!!! I'm locked in 👀

[@lightninggod123]

I hardly consider this to be a hidden battle, all the war corespondents on the news and KZbin videos were stating how critical this airport was to the battle for Kyiv in early March.

[@maka6134]

Yes i saw a lot of reporting since it was a battle close to Kyiv but never heard people say this battle would turn the tide of the war. Just some small operation that the Russians failed.

[@geirfugleberg6701]

Yea, redicoulous :-) Only in America, as they say .

[@lightninggod123]

@@geirfugleberg6701 I’m from America

[@XMysticHerox]

It was one of the main things talked about during the first days of the invasion. Literally the opposite of "hidden".

[@FarnhamJ07]

Yes, this was a good video overall, but I don't think calling it 'hidden' is appropriate...it was much talked about at the time and for quite a while after. It's simply faded from the main conversation because it's now a historical event. Perhaps many people've forgotten about it, but that's not quite the same as 'hidden'.

[@Sleepyjew]

Great job on this!

[@rdelrosso2001]

WILLIAM: Great Video! An Amazing amount of detail on what History will probably rank up there with The Battle of Britain and the Battle of Midway! Speaking of "History", I recognize your voice! Isn't that YOU on the "WhatifALTHISTORY" KZbin Channel? There are many amazing scenarios as to "what might have happened"!

[@rdumiak]

Nice job pulling the story together. I know you have a limited amount of time to cover a lot of detail, but here's something that probably could have been included - (@ 21:49) could have mentioned that there were reports that at least one and possibly two Russian Ilyushin Il-76 transports were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses and that was likely the reason others were turned around (not just the conditions on the ground).

[@mpk6664]

Those reports were never confirmed, and considering how large the IL-76 is, the crash would've been easy to find. The IL-76 is larger than a 737-800. Maybe those reports scared Russia, or maybe it didn't. We'll likely never know. This goes into speculation territory though.

[@BlackRifleBear]

That never happened nor did anyone believe that false report that was floating around social media.

[@emabelsmithable]

Oh, dear! Why, then, has the USA come under such fire for allegedly dragging its feet after Russia attacked Ukraine? The Pentagon is not known for "crying Wolf!:

[@emabelsmithable]

Historians will benefit tremendously from this superb treatment of the events leading up to February 24 invasion Ukraine , and the events as they unfolded giving the Ukraine a decided edge!

[@Rob_F8F]

Thank you for this historical telling of the Battle of Hostamel Airport. There were snippets of news as it was occurring, and then the news followed the war elsewhere. Having the battle related with the even short perspective of hindsight was illuminating. Thank you.

[@clairerobinson7658]

Thanks for this compelling story ❤

[@MonikaBardell]

You explain all this realy good. Thank you.

[@soldierfields7239]

Love this type of breakdown and hope you do more of these on other battles from this and other wars. Keep up the good work!

[@sshender3773]

Great video and storytelling of one of the most underrated events of the invasion.

[@Khronogi]

Underrated? Hidden? It was the first major battle. I saw a live interview with a russian commander who had just landed.

[@sshender3773]

​@@Khronogi Who said anything about hidden? Yes, underrated. I'm following the coverage of the invasion since the run-up to it in both Russian (I'm a native speaker) and English, and the Hostomel battle barely ever gets mentioned. You'd expect such a decisive battle to get more coverage and attention, but it doesn't, which makes it underrated.

[@rudyardganuelas6254]

@@Khronogi i know right! This was a known vulnerability as soon as the invasion began. I was sleeping to livestream of the hostomel defense because air bridge establishment would be disaster for ukraine.

[@schakiarligonde1736]

Even if Russia had taken the airport in taken airlifting troops would be hard due to the air defense around the airport

[@MarkErikEE]

Good video. 2018 there was a 70% complete AN-225 airframe in storage in Antonov factory. What happened to it?

[@juanc.9735]

I’m so glad YT recommended me this video. Very well done👍🏽. Your narration kept me engaged all the way through it. The topic, your narration and the details will make these vids a hit. Plz find more “content” on this topic (Russia/Ukraine war). Proof is gonna be how this vid is gonna have millions of views in just a few days.

[@tompalmer5114]

"But the planes Glory Days were behind it..." Maybe for Russia but for the rest of the world it performs an incredibly important function. So, the few times that it flew with Buran on its back, is nothing compared to the immense value and benefit it's given to the rest of the world since then

[@MsJubjubbird]

there are ore fuel efficient cargo lanes though. The Beluga XL and the Dreamlifter can do most heavy lifting

[@andremrh7690]

To be fair, the AN-225, as impressive as it was as a marvel of engineering, only had very, very particular niches for heavy transport. For example, it could transport trains wagons, already assembled, to a country. Anything else could be fitted to a Dreamlifter or a Beluga XL. Those would also be cheaper since there are multiple companies offering heavy transport services with those planes, compared to the AN-225 necessitating you to deal with Antonov. The glory days of the AN-225 were very clearly behind it. It was designed to lift space shuttles, not heavy cargo. It wasn't really designed to be efficient or easy to maintain. It was sad to see it go, and I do hope Antonov uses the chassis for the unbuilt one and whatever salvage they can get from the wreckage to rebuild it. It doesn't *need* to exist, but every now and then, it is nice to do things for the hell of it, efficiency be damned.

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@andremrh7690 i think it would be a good museum piece

[@michaelfitzgerald1328]

Excellent work.

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

Boryspil airport is on the outskirts of the city & would have required a lot of lengthy urban fighting to capture. Hostomel is in the middle of the countryside & would have been able to be taken far easier and quicker (which is what Russia needed).

[@artificial_oysters]

It's incredibly sad that the an-225 got destroyed. But as depressing as it is, things come and go.

[@sc1338]

There’s actually a second unfinished 225 that they’re going to finish. I was very happy when I saw a pic of it in an old hanger

[@rikulappi9664]

From a point of view of a Finnish officer the battle went according to our doctrine. 300 troops [3 companies] start the fight. The artillery assigned to the defenders do the killing. Mechanized troops clean up. The emphas

[@gmalexander722]

Excellent analysis, well done

[@Lambert7785]

excellent report thanks

[@LisaNH934]

Operator Starsky on yt 💙💛 just one of the heroes of Hostomel. Can you imagine what would have happened if russia achieved its goals in this battle?!? Unthinkable. Thank you.

[@schakiarligonde1736]

Kyiv may have fallen but it wasn’t guaranteed due to air defense around the airport

[@xsir_hcx3897]

I LOVE operator Starsky. He is the best!

[@sigma663]

Great video, As a military instructor, and military historian I appreciate this information which we know it will in a near future themes for books, movies and modern military history.

[@marcgirard3736]

Excellent comments and summary overall.

[@QSL.]

Nice explanation!

[@doktormozg]

Very interesting, thank you! You should make more of those battle timeline analytics, maybe even with more technical info on division sizes and equipment, we can handle it :D

[@PalleRasmussen]

Oh Hostomel. That was Starsky's unit, so that is not forgotten at all. I thought you were talking about the small skirmish that prevented Kharkiv falling and the main mechanised forces of Russia just rolling to Kyiv.

[@raimobrunning3657]

👍

[@RobertTursellino]

Well done bravo great reporting we appreciate your shows very much take care we need you😂

[@mr.nemesis6442]

The day that I saw the VDV fly into Hostomel is a day that I will never forget. The world changed overnight.

[@Bootsystem66]

This clip should continue until after the war and should be recorded in history. Love the tone!❣️

[@frankjames4743]

Well done and no compromising lines on the map :-) Worth a re-watch

[@kentvonseverin1257]

Excellent work William.

[@stevev238]

One of the most informative and engaging reports I've found during the entire war.

[@themonasterio11]

Great analysis!! This was in the back of my mind ever since .. your content is awesome!! Congrats!!

[@cyrilio]

There’s hope for the Antonov. There’s actually a fully built fuselage that’s still intact.

[@irdorath356]

But the blueprints and technology are gone.

[@PrograError]

@@irdorath356 well... They could always retrofit it to modern standards and more fuel efficient engine, which would effectively upgrade the old vulnerable. Tho it'd remove one of it's charm...

[@manjelos]

@@irdorath356 Would not say that the technical documentation is gone

[@sallyforth9905]

@@PrograError No harm in building it back better; a symbol of Ukraine rising from the ashes after this war is over!

[@irdorath356]

@@sallyforth9905 it's not a symbol of Ukraine. It's from an ancient, far more superior civilization and when modern Ukraine inherited it, they dumped the An225 for a decade.

[@climatehero]

Great explanation!

[@raymore544]

New subscriber here great work guy keep it up

[@tomwesterberg9428]

Interesting and thorough, as usual. Thanks William!

[@Rob-if9ed]

Kudos for top level reporting and analysis on this event. I would like to add a small amount of additional information to your reporting. Regarding the wonderful Anatove heavy hauler aircraft, it had a significant commercial service to the US in the mid-1990s. I lived in Houston, TX at this time. Numerous times I observed the freighter on its landing approach to IAH Houston Intercontinental Airport in its north to south landing approach. My daily commute to/from work gave me a good sight line this direction. My understanding is that this was a regularly scheduled route between Houston and Russia. I have no clue on what cargo Russia to Houston would have been. Cargo from Houston to Russia was easy and commonly known. Oil field and refining specialty equipment. Houston is a world leader for this equipment and technology.

[@danielheckel2755]

My guess would be Caspian sea caviar for distritution to luxury restaurants in the United States. Not that it needs a direct flight to Houston, but the plane was already flying to Houston and there was the chance to send in something in it.

[@chrisyacoback6320]

Thank you. Very well done. I appreciate this content. History will teach anyone who is willing to listen. The truth about this war is important for the world to know

[@lydiazafra3476]

Thank you William for your work analysis and strategy blessings from California USA

[@gypsonny2]

I've been fascinated with the VDV invasion of Hostomel. Thank you SO MUCH for covering this topic. I've found 10 mins compilation of the invasion from the VDV perspective, if anyone wants it please ask

[@Zarastro54]

I’m asking

[@dardade3277]

I'm asking too

[@snapdragon6601]

I'd like to check it out. Is it on KZbin somewhere or do you have a link?

[@chrishooge3442]

The fact that the Airborne reinforcements never attempted to land belies another potential problem for the Russians. Eighteen IL-76 would make a tasty target for S-300 and MANPADS. Russia may have gotten lucky those planes would never find out how determined Ukraine was to knock them out of the sky.

[@yuvalron324]

Can you send the link