Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of the complete liberation of the Kyiv region from Russian occupation forces. On April 2, 2022, the Defense Forces officially cleared the region of invaders. This strategic victory destroyed the Kremlin’s plans to seize Kyiv within days and force a national surrender.
Ukrinform reports that battles for the region began in the opening hours of the full-scale invasion. The Russian command targeted military airfields in Hostomel and Vasylkiv for paratrooper landings. However, the resilience of Ukrainian defenders thwarted these attempts. Consequently, the main Russian forces moved by land from Belarus, occupying 15 communities across the Vyshhorod, Bucha, and Brovary districts.
The price of freedom and recovery efforts
Fierce fighting in Irpin, Bucha, and Moshchun stopped elite Russian units. The intentional flooding caused by the dam breach near Kozarovychi played a decisive role. This tactic blocked the northern route to the capital. The occupation brought mass terror against civilians, resulting in over 1,600 deaths in the region.
Mykola Kalashnyk, Head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, spoke about the heavy toll:
“These are mixed feelings, indeed. Both a holiday and sorrow because of the price that was paid. About fifteen hundred civilians died for the liberation of the Kyiv region. The hardest part to accept is the death of children. 42 children died. The youngest was 4 years old. Such a high price. Now the main task is to restore the region as quickly as possible and build a future for our children. International support is vital to ensure the enemy is judged, and this never happens again.”
Residents and officials in Irpin honored the fallen heroes at the “On the Shield” monument today. Veterans and local leaders planted an alley of evergreen trees to commemorate the defenders. The liberation of the Kyiv region marked Ukraine’s first major success in the full-scale war. It saved the capital and provided the nation with crucial time to mobilize and regroup.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia’s military aviation continues to suffer significant losses during the ongoing conflict.
