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2022 Chornobaivka attacks

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article 2022 Chornobaivka attacks, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 202540 sources
2022 Chornobaivka Assaults
Company typeMilitary operations
IndustryMilitary conflict
Founded2022-02-27
Headquarters
Chornobaivka
,
Ukraine
Area served
Kherson Oblast, Ukraine

2022 Chornobaivka Assaults

The 2022 Chornobaivka assaults consisted of multiple Ukrainian offensives targeting the Russian-controlled Kherson International Airport situated in Chornobaivka. These operations commenced on 27 February 2022 amid the southern front of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Located within Kherson Oblast of Ukraine, Chornobaivka experienced numerous strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Russian forces following the latter’s initial bombing and subsequent occupation of the local airport.

Ukraine reported that these engagements led to the elimination of Russian general Yakov Rezantsev from the 49th Combined Arms Army on 24 March. Another Russian general, Andrey Mordvichev from the 8th Combined Arms Army, was initially claimed killed during an attack on 18 March; however, later information confirmed his survival. The clashes at Chornobaivka were also marked by significant Russian troop casualties and destruction of military hardware. These substantial losses suffered by Russia sparked widespread satirical content on Ukrainian social platforms, turning Chornobaivka into a notable subject of national attention.

The Ukrainian military maintained persistent assaults on Russian positions in Chornobaivka until 5 November, shortly before Russia declared its withdrawal from the region. The village was ultimately recaptured by Ukrainian forces on 11 November, effectively ending Russian control over its airport.

Background

Chornobaivka is a modest-sized settlement situated within the Kherson Oblast region of Ukraine. Serving as a strategic entry point to the city of Kherson, controlling this locale provides significant tactical advantages, particularly concerning any potential offensive targeting Mykolaiv. This importance largely stems from the presence of an airport in Chornobaivka, which was intended by the Russian Armed Forces to function as a landing zone during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, Ukrainian analyst Alexander Lemenov identified Chornobaivka as a critical military objective for Russian forces amid the conflict.[1]

On 24 February 2022, marking the initial day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, six airports across Ukraine were targeted by Russian airstrikes, including the Kherson International Airport located in Chornobaivka.[2]

Initial assaults (27 February–16 March)

Russian troops seized control of the airport early on 27 February.[3] That same day marked the first Ukrainian counterattack against Russian forces stationed in Chornobaivka. Ukrainian troops deployed Turkish-produced Bayraktar TB2 combat drones to strike Russian positions. The Ukrainian military publicized footage showing these drones conducting airstrikes, representing the first visual evidence of Bayraktar drones in combat since hostilities began. Notably, this operation coincided with the second anniversary of the 2020 Balyun airstrikes, where Russian forces killed 34 Turkish soldiers in Syria. The Turkish embassy in Kyiv characterized the strikes at Chornobaivka as "revenge" for that incident and stated that "there is such a thing as divine justice".[4]

On 2 March, Governor of Mykolaiv Oblast Vitaliy Kim reported another successful Ukrainian assault on Russian troops at Chornobaivka.[5] Following this, on 7 March, Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed thirty Russian military helicopters based at the airport along with other military assets and personnel.[6] On 15 March, another Ukrainian strike was reported against Russian occupiers in Chornobaivka. Governor Kim stated that this attack compelled Russian soldiers to retreat toward the outskirts of Kherson, then under Russian control.[7] On 16 March, Ukrainian forces launched another bombardment on the airport still held by Russian troops, destroying between seven[8] and fifteen helicopters.[9] According to The Wall Street Journal, satellite images revealed seven damaged or destroyed Russian helicopters on the tarmac at Kherson airport—now utilized as a Russian airbase—with some helicopters visibly engulfed in flames following Ukraine's airstrike.[10]

Ongoing assaults and disputed deaths of two Russian generals (18 March–24 March)

On 18 March, Ukrainian forces launched another offensive against Chornobaivka, focusing on the 8th Combined Arms Army's location, with reports claiming the death of its leader, lieutenant general Andrey Mordvichev.[11][12] However, Russian authorities did not verify these claims.[13][14] Subsequently, on 28 March, video footage surfaced depicting Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, meeting with Mordvichev and other officers in Mariupol.[15][16] Later confirmation from BBC News Russian verified that Mordvichev remained alive.[17]

The following day, on 19 March, Ukrainian troops again struck Russian positions at Chornobaivka. Oleksiy Arestovych, an advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine, remarked, "Do not laugh, but we caught them once more in Chornobaivka. For the sixth time."[18] Two days later, on 21 March, Ukrainian forces once again targeted the airport. Arestovych announced this by stating, "Prepare yourselves. You will need all your bravery now. Chornobaivka. The seventh time."[19] Satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs to The New York Times revealed that between 15 and 21 March, due to persistent strikes, Russia relocated most of its helicopters from Chornobaivka's airport to alternative airfields; however, ground troops remained stationed at the airbase.[20]

On 22 March, Ukrainian forces again struck Russian units at Chornobaivka's airport, causing losses in personnel and equipment. Arestovych explained that Russian helicopters traveling from Crimea to Ukraine were compelled to land at Chornobaivka's airport due to limited alternatives for troop concentration in the region. The relatively flat terrain enabled Ukrainian troops to effectively target Russian forces stationed there.[21] The ninth assault occurred on 23 March when Ukrainian forces once more targeted the airport. Arestovych noted that the quantity of Russian equipment stored there had diminished compared to previous attacks.[22]

On the next day, 24 March, Ukrainian military forces launched another attack against Russian troops at Chornobaivka. According to Arestovych, immediately following this strike there was significant troop movement across the nearby Antonovskiy Bridge, which he interpreted as evidence of a Russian retreat.[23] Additionally, it was reported that a second Russian general was killed during this engagement at Chornobaivka. If verified, this would indicate that lieutenant general Yakov Rezantsev, commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army, was among those killed.[24]

Spring offensives (27 March–29 May)

On 27 March, Arestovych reported the eleventh Ukrainian strike targeting Russian forces at Chornobaivka. The following day, he confirmed a twelfth assault on the Chornobaivka airfield by Ukrainian troops. Concurrently, Russian sources claimed to have intercepted one Ukrainian drone and five missiles over the area. On 1 April, Arestovych announced the thirteenth Ukrainian attack at Chornobaivka, with Kim remarking on the occasion by wishing Russian forces a cheerful April Fools' Day. That same day saw a fourteenth strike on Russian soldiers in the town. According to Arestovych, these two consecutive attacks resulted in the destruction of nearly an entire Russian battalion stationed there. By 6 April, Ukraine's 28th Mechanized Brigade disclosed its involvement in three strikes against Russian positions in Chornobaivka, utilizing Uragan multiple rocket launcher systems.

On 14 April, Arestovych revealed that the fifteenth Ukrainian offensive had targeted and obliterated ammunition stockpiles belonging to Russia's 22nd Army Corps in Chornobaivka. Subsequently, he stated that during the night of 17 April, Ukrainian forces again destroyed Russian military assets stored at the town's airport. Arestovych briefly mentioned on 24 April that a seventeenth strike had taken place against Russian troops there. Then, on 2 May, Ukrainian forces launched another attack destroying a Russian ammunition depot using mortars, conducted by the 30th Mechanized Brigade. The brigade highlighted that these mortar strikes were enabled by recently acquired equipment and asserted that "uninvited guests" would face diminished resources for shelling Ukrainian areas.

On 13 May, a significant operation involved 25 separate artillery strikes over three hours against Russian positions in Chornobaivka, focusing on depots of equipment, artillery pieces, missile systems, and ammunition. Two days later, on 15 May, Arestovych announced the twentieth assault commencing at noon and ongoing during his report. The Operational Command South later detailed that this attack resulted in approximately 75 Russian soldiers killed and nearly 20 military vehicles destroyed; additionally, an ammunition warehouse and two repair workshops were demolished. On 16 May, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed a subsequent attack inflicting further losses on Russian manpower and equipment in Chornobaivka. Finally, on 29 May, Arestovych conveyed news of a twenty-second strike where Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian ammunition depot with an assault lasting at least an hour.

Resumption in summer (1 July–26 August)

On 1 July, Ukrainian troops targeted Russian forces at Chornobaivka for the twenty-third occasion, successfully demolishing one of their ammunition storage sites. Two days later, on 3 July, the Operational Command South announced the destruction of an additional Russian ammo depot in Chornobaivka, a development also highlighted by Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Odesa Oblast Military Administration. By 7 July, Arestovych reported that at 14:23, Ukrainian forces struck yet another Russian ammunition facility at Chornobaivka; the ensuing blaze and ongoing explosions from stored munitions persisted for over an hour following the assault. This marked the twenty-fifth such strike, which he acknowledged with approval.

On 9 July, Ukrainian attacks inflicted significant damage on Russian positions in Chornobaivka by targeting multiple command centers. Arestovych stated that this operation resulted in the deaths of twelve high-ranking Russian officers, including colonels and generals. Additionally, another ammunition depot and numerous military vehicles were destroyed. The Operational Command South confirmed on 13 July that Ukrainian forces had once again struck a Russian ammo depot in Chornobaivka.

Serhii Bratchuk reported on 21 July that Ukrainian forces had eliminated yet another Russian ammunition depot in the area. The following day, he announced the destruction of a Russian military base located there. On 27 July, the Operational Command South verified the demolition of an additional Russian ammunition storage site at Chornobaivka. Bratchuk confirmed on 28 July that another such depot had been neutralized. According to Arestovych, on 29 July a Russian base used for stationing troops and equipment was obliterated at Chornobaivka.

Unconfirmed reports on 30 July indicated a fire at a Russian military base in Chornobaivka; this was subsequently verified. On 2 August, Operational Command South communicated that Ukrainian missile and artillery units had targeted a command post belonging to Russia’s 22nd Army Corps in Chornobaivka. The next day, Bratchuk stated that another Russian military base in the locality had been destroyed. On 5 August, Ukrainian forces launched attacks against two command posts associated with the 49th Combined Arms Army and the 76th Guards Air Assault Division at Chornobaivka.

On 20 August, Ukrainian troops employed HIMARS multiple rocket launchers to strike a command post of Russia's 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment in Chornobaivka. Serhii Khlan, a member of the Kherson Oblast Council, reported further destruction of Russian ammunition supplies following this attack. He noted that Russian forces were attempting to disperse their ammo depots into smaller caches with fewer munitions each; however, Ukraine continued to successfully target these sites. On 22 August, Operational Command South confirmed that Ukrainian artillery and missile units had destroyed both an ammunition depot and a command post linked to the 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment in Chornobaivka.

Another ammunition depot was demolished on 26 August at Chornobaivka; preliminary reports also indicated that a Russian military base suffered an attack by Ukrainian forces during this period.

Kherson Counteroffensive and Recapture of Chornobaivka (29 August–11 November)

Main article: 2022 Kherson counteroffensive

On 29 August, Ukrainian forces initiated a counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming Kherson and the Russian-held territories on the right bank of the Dnieper River, including the area of Chornobaivka. During this operation, the Ukrainian military imposed an information blackout concerning the counteroffensive.[25] Nevertheless, in the following days, multiple reports documented explosions and smoke plumes across Kherson Oblast, notably in Chornobaivka on both 30 and 31 August.[26][27] On 5 September, additional blasts were recorded in Chornobaivka, targeting a concentration of Russian military hardware.[28] Reports of explosions and visible smoke near Chornobaivka continued on 7 September,[29] followed by another assault on Russian positions on 18 September.[30] On 20 September, Ukrainian missile and artillery units successfully targeted Russian command centers and equipment located in Chornobaivka.[31] Two days later, on 22 September, Ukrainian forces eliminated Russian anti-aircraft artillery that was firing towards Snihurivka.[32]

On 25 October, two separate explosions occurred in Chornobaivka.[33] Satellite imagery from 27 October revealed that Russian troops had evacuated all their military assets from the Chornobaivka airfield, leaving it vacant for the first time since the onset of the occupation.[34][35] Despite this withdrawal, Ukrainian strikes against Russian positions at Chornobaivka persisted; on 3 November, Operational Command South spokesperson Vladyslav Nazarov reported successful attacks on Russian equipment being relocated to alternative sites.[36] Further explosions and smoke were observed at Chornobaivka on 5 November; eyewitnesses noted that recently conscripted Russian soldiers were undergoing training there at the time.[37]

On 9 November, Russia's Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu declared that Russian forces would retreat from the Dnieper's right bank following a recommendation by General Sergey Surovikin. Surovikin explained that this difficult decision was made due to logistical challenges in sustaining Kherson under Russian control and to safeguard Russian troop lives.[38] By the morning of 11 November, Russian forces had completed their withdrawal from the right bank, allowing Ukrainian troops to enter Chornobaivka along with Kherson and surrounding settlements.[39] The following day, Oleksiy Arestovych confirmed that the "Chornobaivka series" had come to an end.[40]

Aftermath

After the right bank of the Dnieper was liberated, Russian forces began shelling settlements in the vicinity, including Chornobaivka. According to Governor of Kherson Oblast Yaroslav Yanushevych, on 26 November, Russian troops shelled Chornobaivka, resulting in injuries to a 10-year-old boy who required hospitalization.

In popular culture

Chornobaivka has attained a "legendary" reputation in Ukraine due to the numerous defeats suffered by Russian forces there. On Ukrainian-language social media, a surge of memes emerged ridiculing Russia's repeated setbacks in this locality. The Ukrainian band Alcohol Ukulele from Kryvyi Rih created a song titled Chornobaivka (Чорнобаївка), inspired by the events that took place in the settlement. On 8 September, as part of Ukraine’s derussification efforts, the Chernihiv City Council proposed renaming Kovpaka Sydora Street to Chornobaivska Street in honor of Chornobaivka in Kherson Oblast; this change was officially adopted on 27 October.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked that "Ukrainian Chornobaivka will be remembered in the history of war," highlighting it as a location where the Russian military and their leadership have revealed themselves as "incompetent" and willing to lead their troops into needless destruction.

See also

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Kapustina, Katya (25 March 2022). "Село Чорнобаївка як феномен війни росії з Україною". Zemliak (in українська). Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  2. ↑ Gordeyev, Vladislav (24 February 2022). "Генштаб Украины сообщил об ударах по шести аэродромам" (in русский). RBK Group. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Минобороны РФ: Блокированы Херсон, Бердянск, взяты под контроль Геническ и аэродром Чернобаевка под Херсоном". Fontanka.ru (in русский). 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bayraktar
  5. ↑ Svystukha, Daria (2 March 2022). "Сьомий день вторгнення Росії. На Миколаївщині відбулася наступальна операція" (in українська). Suspilne.
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named helicopters1
  7. ↑ Brovko, Liza (15 March 2022). "ЗСУ завдали удару по окупантах під Херсоном: колони ворога біжать із міста". Apostrophe (in українська). Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named helicopters2
  9. ↑ Moulitsas, Markos (17 March 2022). "Ukraine update: Ukraine retakes 75 miles of Russian-held territory, pushes toward Kherson". Daily Kos. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Cullison, Alan; Coles, Isabel; Trofimov, Yaroslav (16 March 2022). "Ukraine Mounts Counteroffensive to Drive Russians Back From Kyiv, Key Cities". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 8thGCAA1
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 8thGCAA2
  13. ↑ Shoaib, Alia (19 March 2022). "A 5th Russian general has been killed in attack on an army base, Ukraine officials claim". Business Insider Africa. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  14. ↑ Bancroft, Holly (19 March 2022). "Fifth Russian general killed as 'planes and helicopters shot down', Ukraine claims". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  15. ↑ "Chechen Leader Travels to Mariupol: Reports". The Moscow Times. 28 March 2022. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  16. ↑ "Deaths of generals expose Russia's troubles in Ukraine". France 24. 28 March 2022. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  17. ↑ Ivshina, Olga; Prosvirova, Olga (30 May 2022). "От генералов до добровольцев: потери России в Украине к началу июня" (in русский). BBC News Russian. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  18. ↑ "Чорнобаївка, де ЗСУ 6 разів знищили окупантів, увійде в історію воєн". RUDANA (in українська). 20 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  19. ↑ Leps, Margarita (21 March 2022). "Сім бід - одна відповідь: Чорнобаївка. Мережа знову вибухнула мемами та фотожабами на сьомий розгром окупантів". Apostrophe (in українська). Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  20. ↑ Koettl, Christoph; Triebert, Christiaan (22 March 2022). "Satellite imagery shows that Russia removed military aircraft from a key airport in Ukraine". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "Розгром ворога восьмий раз поспіль: Арестович пояснив феномен Чорнобаївки". Slovo i Dilo (in українська). 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
  23. ↑ "Місце сили ЗСУ на Херсонщині: увечері 24 березня у Чорнобаївці наші знову розгатили рашистів". 0552.ua (in українська). 25 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 49thCAA
  25. ↑ Cole, Brendan (31 August 2022). "Ukraine's forces had 'successes' in Kherson counteroffensive: official". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "В окупованому Херсоні та Новій Каховці пролунали вибухи". Slovo i Dilo (in українська). 30 August 2022. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "У Херсоні та Чорнобаївці знову пролунали вибухи". Slovo i Dilo (in українська). 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  28. ↑ Kovnir, Sofia (5 September 2022). "Нова Каховка, Чорнобаївка і Снігурівка: в окупантів починається веселий вечір із "бавовною"" (in українська). Channel 24. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  29. ↑ Kepova, Darya (8 September 2022). "Міноборони РФ ненавмисно підтвердило просування ЗСУ на заході Херсонщини – ISW". Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (in українська). Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  30. ↑ Sadykov, Volodymyr (18 September 2022). "Потужні вибухи на Херсонщині: Чорнобаївка знову у центрі уваги". StopCor (in українська). Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  31. ↑ Dulyaba, Natalia (21 September 2022). "ЗСУ зупинили ремонт мосту біля Нової Каховки і вдарили по базі у Чорнобаївці". Portal Lviv (in українська). Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  32. ↑ Burdeyna, Olena (22 September 2022). "У передмісті Херсона та біля Нової Каховки - знов вибухи: що відомо". StopCor (in українська). Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  33. ↑ Burdeyna, Olena (25 October 2022). "На Херсонщині – гучно у Чорнобаївці, Благодатному, Горностаївці біля Нової Каховки: що відомо". StopCor (in українська). Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  34. ↑ Pechenyuk, Anastasiya (29 October 2022). "Херсон і Чорнобаївка спорожніли: росіяни тікають разом з технікою – Хлань" (in українська). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "Серіал Чорнобаївка завершився через відсутність "реквізиту": армія РФ забрала всю техніку з аеродрому під Херсоном (фото)" (in українська). Defense Express. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ "Антонівський міст і Чорнобаївка: ЗСУ руйнують логістику і знищують техніку російських військ на Херсонщині" (in українська). Suspilne. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ↑ "Тренування окупантів закінчилися "успішно": У Чорнобаївці знову сталася "бавовна" (відео)". Patrioty Ukrayiny (in українська). 5 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ↑ "Ukraine war: Russia 'orders troops' to withdraw from key city of Kherson". Euronews. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ↑ Mahuryak, Ivan (11 November 2022). "ЗСУ в Бериславі, а в легендарній Чорнобаївці – українські прапори" (in українська). Channel24. Retrieved 12 November2019. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Check date values in: |access-date= and |archive-date= (help); no-break space character in |archive-date= at position 15 (help)
  40. ↑ {{cite news}}: Empty citation (help)

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