Apocalypse of the Russo-Ukrainian War (Part 1
Battle for Antonov Airport
Part 1, Preparation before Dawn
2022 At 3 o'clock in the morning on February 24, the military airport in Gomel, Belarus, was brightly lit. Dozens of advanced armed helicopters were neatly lined up on the tarmac. Looking around, it was completely dark, and the tall fuselage was glowing with metal. The cold light and the feeling of oppression were like a giant beast lurking in the dark night. The airport was surrounded by dense woods, shrouded in darkness, and the long runway stretched into the dark distance with no end in sight.
< p>The temperature at the moment was minus 7 degrees, a thin layer of water mist hung in the air, the lights began to dim, and the shadows cast by the fighter plane's propellers looked like the claws of giant beasts. The ground crew wore gloves and gulped. , as busy as worker ants, some were pulling flatbed trucks to transport ammunition, and some were adding fuel. They said nothing and remained silent, but their faces were solemn, revealing the silent nervousness of the pilot. , add auxiliary fuel tanks under the fuselage of the Mi-24 to prepare for long-distance attacks; the launch nest is full of aviation rockets, and the supersonic anti-tank missiles with tandem warheads are mounted under the short wings. Filled with 280 rounds of 30MM artillery shellsWhen all weapons were mounted, this Ka-52 armed helicopter, which is as famous as the US Apache, bulged up its strong muscles, like a powerful weapon. The crocodile is always ready to launch a fatal attack on its prey. The Ka-52 adopts a single-axis reverse dual-rotor design, eliminating the tail rotor. It is also the world's first equipped with an ejection escape seat that is only equipped on fixed-wing fighters. This helicopter has powerful performance and survivability.
The Mi-8 transport aircraft not far away has a huge fuselage, like an Airbus, and can carry up to 28 soldiers, plus two more. The auxiliary fuel tank can reach the longest range of 1,000 kilometers. The improved Mi-8AMTSH-VN model, named "Peregrine" by the Ministry of Defense, was used for this mission. It was replaced with performance on the old Mi-8 platform. Better engines and avionics systems, the transport compartment and cockpit are equipped with removable armor plates, which can resist 12.7mm bullet attacks. The huge weapon pods on both sides have 12 external suspension points and can be equipped with anti-tank weapons. Missiles, rocket launchers, aviation cannons, and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun installed above the short wing.
The Mi-24 Hind multifunctional armed transport helicopter next to it is a veteran who has been tested by war. , has experienced the baptism of more than 30 wars, has stable performance and excellent record
The 31st Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Guards carried out this raid, and mobilized elite forces from the special forces. The 6th company was supplemented to form a reinforced company of 220 people. They will serve as the vanguard of the attack, penetrate into the heart of the enemy at lightning speed, open up air corridors, and guide the subsequent Il-76 transport aircraft to land as the vanguard commandos. , they cannot carry heavy equipment and can only carry individual weapons such as assault rifles, grenades, grenade launchers, and Kornet anti-tank missiles.
At 4 o'clock in the morning, all weapons were mounted, fuel was filled, the pilot made a final inspection, and everything was ready. 220 fully armed airborne troops boarded the Russian army's most advanced armed helicopters, 16 Ka-52s, 8 Mi-24s, and 10 Mi-8s, quietly waiting for the takeoff order from their superiors.
At 5 o'clock in the morning, the eastern horizon shines white. At this moment, several tongues of fire rose in the distant sky, dragging their long tails and flying toward the southeast. The soldiers knew that the battle had officially begun. The Rocket Force assembled at the border launched tactical missiles and precision-guided cruise missiles at airports, radar stations, and military command posts in Ukraine, and long-range artillery launched towards preset military targets.
At 6 o'clock, the president's attack order has been issued to the entire army. Navy ships moved from the Mediterranean Sea in the south to Odessa. Ship-based cruise missiles attacked the radar system of the port. The army armored group in the east moved towards Mesu. and Kharkiv area, and the southeastern troops marched towards Luhansk and Donetsk. Fighters at various airports carried a large number of guided bombs to break through the border and attack the Ukrainian army's air defense system.
Two, set sail
The engine started to start, the propeller tore through the air and made a roaring sound. The soldiers looked solemn. Although they were veterans who had experienced many wars, this What they are facing this time is not the Syrian rebels, nor the urban riots in Kazakhstan. What they are facing is a brother country with much stronger military strength.
As Russia’s aerial elite, the airborne troops have brilliant achievements: in 1968, the airborne troops captured Prague Airport in a flash, opened up an air corridor, and occupied the capital of Czechoslovakia in one day; in 1979, when they invaded Afghanistan, the airborne division suddenly descended on Kabul. airport and quickly took control of the capital; in 1999, 200 airborne troops occupied the Pristina Airport and completed the blockade deployment; in the second Chechen War in 2000, 90 airborne troops stood firm on Highland 776, with almost all personnel The cost of death thwarted the offensive of 2,000 Chechen armed forces; in 2022, the 31st Airborne Assault Brigade, the 45th Special Operations Brigade and the 98th Guards Red Flag Airborne Division took control of the Nur-Sultan International Airport in the capital of Kazakhstan to quell civil unrest in Kazakhstan.
Shangfeng decided to capture Kiev within five days. Whether it could achieve the preset goals, this raid mission was crucial.
The leading Ka-52 took off, and the helicopters behind it took off one after another, and a huge roar resounded through the clouds. A formation of 34 helicopters set off from the military airport in Gomel, Belarus, and headed south.
Although the Russian Air Force and Rocket Force suppressed and attacked Ukraine's air defense system, it was impossible to completely destroy the opponent's air defense system in a short period of time. Therefore, when the helicopter formation entered Ukraine, it Flying at an ultra-low altitude along the wide Dnieper River to avoid radar detection.
The mission of the airborne troops this time is to seize the Antonov Cargo Airport. This airport is located 15 kilometers northwest of Kiev. It has sparse residents and weak defenses. It is an ideal bridgehead for attacking Kiev. After occupying the airport, they opened an air corridor and guided the large transport aircraft of the 76th Airborne Division to transport heavy equipment such as T-72 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery, and quickly invaded the Ukrainian capital.
The helicopter formation advanced at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour. After flying along the river for more than 30 minutes, the sun had risen and the sunlight spread across the earth, coating the forests, lakes and fields with a layer of golden light. Ukraine The endless black land of the plain unfolds before your eyes like a scroll.
The helicopter flew only 40 meters above the surface of the Dnieper River. The strong air flow blew up the river water, creating waves and glowing lights. The commandos have penetrated hundreds of kilometers into Ukraine without encountering any resistance. Did the radar not detect them, or has the air defense system been completely destroyed by missiles? The soldiers were full of doubts. Of course, they believed that their actions were more secretive.
At around 7 o'clock, the formation arrived over the Kiev Reservoir. Not far ahead was the capital of Ukraine. The city's buildings could be seen from the cabin. The leading Ka-5 no longer continued south along the river, but turned southwest and headed straight for Antonov Airport.
Three, attacked by Stinger
At this moment, several flashes of fire flashed in the forest by the river, and several Stinger missiles dragged towards the fleet of flames. , the leading Ka-52 airborne radar had sensed the incoming missile, and the warning light kept flashing. The pilot immediately released thermal bombs to interfere with the infrared seeker of the Stinger missile, and quickly made evasive maneuvers. The Stinger missile passed by the left side of the Ka-52 and fell into the reservoir. The airborne troops on board broke out in a cold sweat.
When the leading Ka-52 avoided the attack of the Stinger missile, another Stinger flew towards the Mi-8 behind. The Mi-8 quickly pulled up and released dozens of thermal bombs. Dozens of tongues of flame disrupted the missile's tracking direction and caused it to lose its target. The helicopter formation was attacked by Stinger missiles and immediately formed a formation. The two Ka-52s on the left wing turned around and fired fiercely into the forest with their 30mm cannons. The powerful power swept through the thick tree trunks in the forest, and the shooters lurking in the forest might be killed.
The shooter hiding in another forest saw the right moment and launched a missile at the helicopter. A Ka-52 could not dodge. The missile exploded 5 meters away from the helicopter. Dozens of blocks of high-speed The prefabricated fragments flew towards the fuselage, tearing open the skin of the Ka-52, interrupting the lines and oil pipes, and the helicopter immediately lost control.
The pilot activated the escape button, and the explosives embedded on the plane blew up the main rotor. The roof of the cockpit immediately popped open, and the two small rockets under the escape seat ignited. There was a loud whoosh, and two rockets were fired. Flames spurted out, and the powerful lift rushed the pilot high into the sky. Then the parachute opened and the pilot slowly fell into the Kiev Reservoir.
In order to cover the rapid passage of the formation, a Ka-52 in charge of the rear used a machine gun to fire wildly at the shooter's position. Another Stinger missile exploded three meters to its left. The powerful shock wave caused The helicopter shook violently several times, and the prefabricated fragments of the missile penetrated the cabin. The Ka-52 was out of control, and the pilot made an emergency landing on the ground.
The helicopter formation suffered sporadic attacks at the Kiev Reservoir and lost two Ka-52s. The formation did not hesitate to fight, but quickly left and continued running towards Antonov Airport.
Not long after, the white runway appeared in front of them, and they knew that it was Antonov Airport. In the more than a month before the attack, they had a clear understanding of the airport's floor plan, terminal design, and 3D real-life model, and simulated attacks many times. So even if you have never been there, you are no stranger to the airport.
The formation formed a battle formation. Two Ka-52s landed at the entrance of Airport Avenue, and three Mi-24s circled behind the terminal building and shot at the defenders in the tower.
4. Fierce fighting at the airport
Planes landed at various intersections outside the airport, forming a siege of the airport. Airport police officers fired from windows with automatic rifles. The Mi-8 transport helicopter stopped on the runway and dropped the airborne troops on the ground. Several other Mi-24s and Ka-52s circled the terminal building, firing at the defenders with machine guns and cannons.
The defenders at the airport panicked when the enemy suddenly attacked them. They could only rely on the ground buildings of the airport to shoot at the airborne troops. The 30MM cannon on the helicopter can penetrate the roof armor of the tank, and it can easily deal with ordinary building bunkers, smashing the defenders hiding indoors.
The airborne troops who had landed quickly entered the terminal building and tower, shooting at the defenders with grenade launchers, and explosions occurred one after another. Facing the powerful firepower of armed helicopters, the airport defenders, equipped with only light weapons, were vulnerable. More than half an hour later, all more than 200 guards at Antonov Airport were killed.
The commandos occupied the airport and controlled key targets such as the terminal building and tower. Some soldiers set up defenses outside the airport and called the 76th Airborne Division stationed in Russia and 20 IL-76 transport aircraft. Ready to go, it contains infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, artillery and fuel.
The Mi-8 transport helicopter completed the transportation mission and began to return, leaving 8 Ka-52s and 4 Mi-24s to defend the airport.
Russian airborne troops occupied Antonov Airport with lightning speed and marched towards the capital. This was like a bolt from the blue to Zelensky. He is well aware of the power of the Russian airborne troops. As long as the airport falls into the hands of the Russian army, it will be equivalent to an army approaching the city. Kiev will face a huge threat and can easily fall into the enemy's hands.
The Ukrainian side responded immediately. It happened that the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade of the National Guard was conducting exercises near the airport, and ordered this unit to rush to the airport immediately.
Multiple BTR-4 infantry fighting vehicles are opening the way ahead. This is an improved 8-wheeled infantry fighting vehicle designed by Ukraine. The unmanned turret on the roof is equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon and 2 Anti-tank missiles capable of destroying enemy armored vehicles within a range of 5 kilometers. It is also equipped with a 30mm automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The fire control system has been digitally improved. It has 7 crew seats. The cockpit and crew cabin have armor plates. The overall performance is very good, but Not much production.
As soon as the infantry fighting vehicle arrived at the airport intersection, it was attacked by a Russian individual "Cornet" anti-tank missile. An infantry fighting vehicle was hit and instantly burst into flames. The 8 people in the vehicle were All soldiers, including the two drivers, were killed. The remaining tanks immediately drove to the woods on both sides of the road to take shelter. At the same time, the 30MM machine guns on the vehicles fired at the Russian army. The powerful firepower penetrated the Russian army's defense line, and many Russian soldiers were killed.
In addition to machine guns, individual anti-tank missiles and grenade launchers, the Russian airborne troops do not have heavy firepower and are vulnerable to the Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles. The Russian troops guarding the intersection of the airport were defeated and retreated towards the terminal building while firing grenades. Relying on the protection and strong firepower of infantry fighting vehicles, the Ukrainian army advanced step by step and released smoke grenades to cover the attack of anti-tank missiles and forcibly entered the airport.
More than 200 Russian airborne troops were compressed into the terminal and several buildings attached to the airport, firing at the Ukrainian army with machine guns. Facing the Ukrainian army's counterattack, the Russian Ka-52 helicopter quickly took off and fired rockets at the Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle. Another infantry fighting vehicle was hit and caught fire. Fortunately, the infantry inside had already got off the vehicle and hid. Behind the building.
A Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle in the woods fired at the helicopter with a machine gun. The Ka-52 maneuvered to avoid the Ukrainian attack. The follow-up troops of the Ukrainian army have been arriving in a steady stream. The Russian Ka-52s and Mi-24s all took off, hovering over the airport and firing at the Ukrainian troops with machine guns and cannons.
The powerful aerial firepower blocked the Ukrainian army's attack, forcing the Ukrainian army to retreat to the nearby forests and hide in buildings. The Russian helicopters were also afraid of the Ukrainian Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and did not dare to catch up and kill them. In addition, with limited ammunition, they could not get supplies in a short time, so they flew back to the airport and hid the helicopters.
Three infantry fighting vehicles of the Ukrainian army were destroyed. For a while, the infantry fighting vehicles did not dare to continue advancing towards the airport. They only relied on the infantry to sneak under the terminal building in a leapfrog style. The two sides exchanged fire with firearms. Although there were only more than 200 Russian troops, they were all elite troops. They used the buildings at the airport to resist tenaciously. The tug-of-war lasted for more than three hours and lasted until noon.
When the Russian army took a break, dense explosions sounded one after another, and Ukraine's 45th Special Operations Brigade rushed to reinforce it. This airport was related to the safety of the capital, and Ukraine wanted to recapture it at all costs. Mortars were fired at the terminal from outside the airport, and shells fell from the roofs, sending rubble flying everywhere.
Faced with the siege of nearly 2,000 Ukrainian troops, the Russian army clearly felt the pressure. The remaining dozen helicopters took off again, and 30MM cannons and rocket launchers were unleashed on the Ukrainian troops from the air. Personnel carriers and armored vehicles Explosions continued one after another, making it difficult to suppress the Ukrainian army.
At this time, the Sam 11 (Buk) anti-aircraft missile lurking near the airport launched an attack on the Russian helicopter. A Mi-24 was hit and caught fire. It fell down and fell to the ground. A violent explosion.
The Il-76 transport plane that was supposed to arrive later had no landing conditions at all, so it had to divert and land in Belarus. Heavy equipment and reinforcements could not arrive, and more than 200 Russian troops could not hold the airport.
Five, no winner
In the afternoon, Ukraine forcibly took off a Mi-29 fixed-wing fighter aircraft from a military airport in the west, although since the early morning, Russian air and rocket forces They continued to attack military targets in Ukraine. Hundreds of airports, radar stations, and command posts were destroyed in one day, but there were still many airports and fighter planes that were not destroyed.
Although the Mi-29 is an old aircraft that has been in service for more than 30 years, it is more than enough to deal with Russian helicopters.
The Mi-29 is equipped with a 30 mm caliber cannon and carries 350 rounds of 30×165 mm high-explosive incendiary bombs and armor-piercing tracer bombs, totaling 2,000 rounds. It can also carry multiple aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms, as well as air-to-air missiles and rockets.
The arrival of the Mi-29 made the Russian army feel a fatal sense of oppression. A Russian Mi-24 helicopter launched a short-range air-to-air missile at the Mi-29. The Mi-29 immediately pulled up and performed a rollover maneuver to avoid the missile attack. It flew into the clouds, turned around, and fired its cannon at the Mi-24 from top to bottom. The Mi-24 was so fast that it had no time to dodge. It was hit instantly, burst into flames, and crashed in the woods.
A Ka-52 launched an anti-tank missile towards the Mi-29. This missile can attack ground targets or low-altitude and low-speed targets, but it is beyond its reach to attack high-altitude and high-speed flying targets. .
The Ukrainian army quietly approached the airport with a Buk anti-aircraft missile and launched a sneak attack on the Ka-52. One Ka-52 was hit by a bullet. The pilot had no time to open the ejection seat and fell to the ground, swallowed by a sea of ??fire. The remaining helicopters did not dare to fight anymore and retreated to the north.
There are only more than a hundred airborne troops left at the airport, struggling to hold on, waiting for rescue. In the evening, the Ukrainian army launched a general attack on the airport under the cover of armored vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles. The intensive firepower caused the Russian troops to withdraw from the airport and sneak into the forest near the airport to hide at night. The Russian armored groups and rescue forces quickly moved south, and the brisk paratrooper tanks passed through the empty Chernobyl nuclear radiation zone and approached Kiev.
In the early morning of the 25th, the Russian rescue force rushed to Antonov Airport to join forces with the airborne troops, and retook the airport with air support. More than 200 helicopters hovered around Kiev and struck important targets.
In order to prevent large Russian transport planes from landing at Antonov Airport, the Ukrainian army moved BM-27 (Hurricane) rocket launchers near the airport and covered the airport with fire. This 220mm 16-tube self-propelled rocket launcher can damage a target of 15,000 square meters with a single salvo. It can launch mine bombs, submunitions, incendiary bombs and high-explosive bombs. The powerful firepower plunges Antonov Airport into a sea of ????fire. All the Russian infantry fighting vehicles parked at the airport were blown up, and the world's largest transport aircraft An-225 parked in the hangar was also destroyed and could no longer be repaired.
Just last year, this behemoth with a take-off weight of 640 tons was flying around the world to transport anti-epidemic materials. As an industrial masterpiece of mankind, it has been flying safely for decades, but this time it has not escaped human intervention. The fate of destruction.
The Russian army's precision-guided bombs destroyed the Ukrainian army's Hurricane rocket launcher position. Antonov Airport was regained control, but the runway was destroyed and large transport aircraft could not land in a short time.
The Russian army’s ground armored clusters were also hit to varying degrees. The Ukrainian army was broken into pieces and distributed in various key points in the form of guerrilla warfare of independent small units to ambush the Russian army. Many T-72 tanks and Infantry fighting vehicles were blown up by "Javelin" anti-tank missiles, and supply lines were constantly harassed by Ukrainian troops, which greatly slowed down the advancement of ground troops.
The Russian army’s carefully planned blitzkrieg plan failed.