Bucha, Hostomel, Irpin: Third anniversary of war through the eyes of survivors

Contents

• Bucha. Family from a street where almost all neighbors were killed
• Hostomel. Russian airborne troops and dozens of enemy helicopters
• Irpin. Battles with the Russians and the defense of the city at the Karavan Gala checkpoint
• Road of Life and victory in the war

Three years ago, at dawn on February 24, Russia brought war to every Ukrainian home. In the Kyiv region, Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel were among the first cities to take the hit — places that became symbols of resilience and resistance against the occupiers.

Fierce battles were fought in Hostomel over the airport, which the enemy sought to use as a foothold for the rapid capture of Kyiv. The Defense Forces thwarted this plan, destroying dozens of enemy helicopters and preventing Russian troops from securing the area. The atrocities committed by the enemy in Bucha became known worldwide, while the battles for Irpin went down in the history of modern warfare.

Despite the immense pressure from the enemy, thousands of defenders continue to protect the country today — marking the fourth year of the large-scale invasion and the 11th year of the war.

RBC-Ukraine spoke with a veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war, a defender of Hostomel airport, and a family from Bucha who are still waiting for a new home.

Bucha. Family from a street where almost all neighbors were killed

During the Russian occupation of Bucha, which lasted from late February to early April 2022, mass war crimes took place, shocking the world. Russian troops unleashed terror on the civilian population — people were shot in the streets, tortured, abused, and looted.

After Bucha was liberated by Ukrainian forces, hundreds of civilian bodies were found on the streets and in mass graves. Many of the victims were discovered with their hands tied and gunshot wounds to the head, indicating executions.

Investigations by international organizations confirmed the mass killings in Bucha, and Ukraine, along with the global community, insists on bringing those responsible to justice. The crimes committed by Russia in Bucha at the beginning of the invasion became some of the first pieces of evidence that Russia was waging war not only against the Ukrainian army but also against civilians.

The Patkivskyi family was at home on the corner of Franka Street in Bucha when the invasion began on February 24. Vasyl, Hanna, their daughter Tetiana, and granddaughter Sasha, who was not even two years old at the time, survived the occupation and threats from Russian soldiers, lost their home, and were left without neighbors— Russia had killed them.

At five in the morning on February 24, they heard the news that the war had begun, Vasyl recalls.

"By seven in the morning, I went to fill up the car, then picked up my daughter and granddaughter, then went to the store. We watched as helicopters landed at Antonov. I counted seventeen of them, then just walked in and said: that's it. And then it all started — Vokzalna Street, the bridges. We didn’t leave here until March 10," he says.

The Patkivskyi family survived the occupation, evacuation and loss of their home (photo: RBC-Ukraine)

The family spent the days of occupation mostly in the basement. When Vokzalna Street was bombed, they stayed underground for extended periods. Between shelling, they tried to cook meals. The city had almost no communication, so getting any news was impossible. There was also no electricity.

In early March, Russian troops moved into the neighboring house — these were tank crews.

"They (the Russians, – ed.) arrived at our house on the ninth. First, they drove a tank into the neighbor's house, then they came to ours. They said: you have ten minutes to leave. You have ten minutes for us to let you out. They asked if we would leave by car. They said: 'No, we won't let your car out, we're staying here now.' I ran to the neighbors, and my husband went through the forest to the cellar to grab documents. Our daughter collected what children's things she could quickly grab," Hanna recalls.

They were led to the railway under the barrel of a gun.

"The soldier was short, and his rifle almost dragged on the ground as he cocked it. We walked and trembled. I was in front, my daughter and granddaughter behind me. I always held her hand. There was a place where people used to dig for clay, and there was a pit. I understood that if I could push her in time, she would roll into that pit. If they started shooting, at least the children would get bruised but would stay alive," says Hanna.

As they walked, they heard gunshots but didn’t know who was firing. Later, they found out — Russian snipers were sitting nearby. These were the same snipers who shot people in the streets.

Further on, they encountered a checkpoint. A dozen Russian soldiers surrounded the family. They were given directions for evacuation. The family left for the Fastiv district. Vasyl was the first to return home — on April 11.

"On the eleventh, I was back on the street — nothing was left. Fences were torn down, and everything was open. There was a destroyed tank here and a pile of burned-out cars there. When we arrived, we were in shock. The house was destroyed. We filed a report that we had nowhere to live," Vasyl recalls.

Hanna near the house destroyed by Russians (photo: RBC-Ukraine/Vitalii Nosach)

Most of the houses had shattered windows. The houses opposite remained empty—neighbors who lived there had been executed.

"The house is standing, but the people are gone. And there, the people are gone, and here, too. Three were executed here, two there, three more here, four more there — four directly across from us," says Hanna.

One of the Patkivskyi family's neighbors was the Shepilo family. The mother was an honored teacher, and the son sang in the church choir. The Russians brutally killed them for no reason. When their bodies were found, it was revealed that the teacher's hand had been severed up to the elbow. All had gunshot wounds, and their bodies were burned.

In another nearby house, elderly residents who kept a farm were murdered and thrown into a ditch.

Awaiting a new home

Currently, the Patkivskyi family's house is being gradually rebuilt. However, the process is slow – the new home for war victims is being constructed by the state for the second year now.

"Some installation works are still unfinished. As we were told, they ran out of funds. We will move in someday. Someday it will happen. If not this year, then next year," says Vasyl. For now, they still live in a modular home.

"When we returned (to Bucha – ed.), we were all unemployed – me, my husband, my son-in-law. My daughter was receiving 860 hryvnias, and even then – for several months, she did not receive it because they did not know if we were alive. Only when we provided documents did she finally get those 860 hryvnias," says Hanna.

After returning to their native Bucha, they were supposed to be settled in modular houses on the "Warsaw Highway" – the Warsaw route that runs through the city. However, on the day they were to move in, Lithuania provided individual modular cabins in Bucha.

"They brought them right to our yard, and we are very grateful that we are at home. Thank God I have a roof over my head. I was happy that I could take shelter from the snow and rain, at least temporarily," says the woman.

At first, the cabin had a strong plastic smell, making it hard to breathe. Hanna coughed a lot. They were advised to turn on the heaters to warm everything up. They also washed everything inside three times with vinegar. There is an exhaust system, and ventilation helps with the smell. The second cabin is sanitary: two toilets, two showers. Initially, there was no kitchen, so the family set it up themselves. The daughter and granddaughter moved to an apartment after some time, while Vasyl and Hanna stayed together.

The family is still living in a modular house, waiting for the house to be rebuilt (photo: RBC-Ukraine)

Now, after three years of war, Hanna still cannot comprehend the horrific atrocities committed by the Russians in Bucha.

"No one expected that they would shoot, kill, and torture," she says. "How can I forgive? We have somewhat learned to live in these conditions and under air alarms, but it is still all right before our eyes. We will recover. There is no way Ukraine will not recover. I don’t believe in that. Little by little, gradually, but we will rebuild. The most important thing is for everyone to return home. Alive and healthy."

Hostomel. Russian airborne troops and dozens of enemy helicopters

The landing of Russian paratroopers in Hostomel on February 24, 2022, became one of the key events of the first days of the invasion. The enemy tried to quickly capture the airport to transfer troops to Kyiv. However, Ukrainian forces, including many National Guardsmen, inflicted significant losses on the enemy and thwarted their plan for a blitzkrieg.

The military held back the paratroopers under constant airstrikes, and later, artillery and reinforcements ultimately expelled the enemy, preventing them from securing a foothold.

Our interviewee is Dmytro, a serviceman of the "Rubizh" Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU). He witnessed those events and actively resisted the enemy. He was captured by the Russians and saw firsthand what they did at the Hostomel airport. After spending a year in captivity, he was exchanged and is now back defending Ukraine.

"For a month before February 24, we were conducting various maneuvers in the airport area. The media were spreading panic, but the president reassured everyone. I didn’t take it seriously; I thought they were just exaggerating. Everyone was calm, joking around," recalls the soldier.

Serving as a gunner-operator in an armored personnel carrier (APC), Dmytro was assigned to duty a couple of days before the invasion. He thought it would be a routine shift. But as he later realized, it was his last "normal" duty before the full-scale war. His mother called him, very worried about what was being reported in the news. He reassured her but asked her to pack a bag and go to relatives in western Ukraine just in case.

Dmytro, a defender of the Hostomel airport and a soldier of the "Rubizh" Operational Brigade of the NGU (photo: RBC-Ukraine)

After his shift, he was allowed to sleep. At 5 a.m., he woke up to his comrades shouting: "Alarm, alarm!" He thought it was just another drill. He remained calm because they had been training daily for a month.

"We started up the APC and began inflating the tires. There were strange noises, something like aviation. Closer and closer. I looked up – a fighter jet flew by. I thought – well, this is not good," says the soldier.

Dmytro was interested in cryptocurrency and around 6 a.m., he checked Telegram channels and saw the entire market collapsing. This only happened when a major global event occurred. People were saying that a full-scale invasion of Ukraine had begun.

"The war felt real for the first time when a cruise missile hit one of our brigade’s barracks, shaking the APC. I realized that all military units across the country were being attacked," he adds.

The soldiers positioned themselves inside and around the airport in the tree lines. They heard reports of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRGs) operating in their area. There were also reports that Russian soldiers disguised as Ukrainian troops with red armbands were in the area.

"We were loading machine-gun belts when I first heard the sound of helicopters. At that moment, I couldn’t imagine they were Russian. I thought it was Ukrainian Special Operations Forces or military intelligence reinforcements. I didn’t think the enemy would be so bold as to break through to us," Dmytro recalls.

At least 30 helicopters were flying in. The soldier says more than half were attack helicopters – Ka-52s and Mi-24s. They had no markings, just camouflage. Then came transport helicopters carrying troops and ammunition, all landing deep inside the airport.

Consequences of enemy arrivals in Hostomel (photo: Getty Images)

"When the transport helicopters flew by, their side doors were open, and the Russian soldiers were waving at us. They thought they would be welcomed here. At first, they didn’t open fire. This continued until the first shot was fired from our side," he adds.

Later, everyone learned that at around that time, the now-famous soldier with the call sign "Phara" fired a shot from a MANPADS Igla, downing a Ka-52. The first helicopters were shot down right over the Kyiv Reservoir.

"That boosted our morale. When the Ka-52 was shot down, everyone started firing. I thought it was impossible to take it down – it’s like an armored tank in the sky. It’s one of their most expensive aircraft. After the first one was hit, I saw our anti-aircraft guns damaging many helicopters. We fired at Mi-8s with small arms. They were flying in with open side doors, waving, and we were firing right into them," says Dmytro.

He realized this was a paratrooper landing, and that between 300 and 500 Russian soldiers were storming the airport. Meanwhile, there were no more than a hundred Ukrainian defenders there, most of whom were conscripts. There was no chance of an even fight. The command decided to withdraw the National Guard troops.

"Unfortunately, not everyone managed to retreat that day. Some soldiers were positioned at the far end of the runway, the most distant location. No one could break through to them. That’s where the enemy paratroopers were landing and where the assault on the airport began. The road to them was cut off," says the defender.

Captivity and heroic work of aviation

Dmytro decided to withdraw with his unit to the area of the village of Ozera. However, at that time, he did not know that a couple of helicopters of the Russian military had mistakenly landed there instead of on the runway of Hostomel Airport. This was an enemy mistake, but it played a cruel joke on Dmytro and his comrades. A Russian clearing group was following them literally on their heels.

"Reaching almost the highway, we saw the silhouettes of Russian servicemen ahead of us. The one closing our group signaled to me with gestures that there were already Russian servicemen behind us," says the National Guardsman.

They were surrounded. They decided that they would fight to the last. As long as they had ammunition, they fought back.

The soldier recalls: "I thought — that's it, we're running out of ammo. And they will probably come up close, throw grenades, and that will be the end of my life."

The Russians captured the guys. At the airport, Dmytro and other captured comrades spent about two weeks in captivity. During that time, they learned about everything happening at the airfield from the Russians themselves, from their conversations. At that moment, no one was really dealing with the captives—the enemy was fortifying positions, preparing to repel an assault.

He heard how fierce battles took place near the checkpoint on February 25. The Russians kept shouting that a tank was about to break through. After captivity, Dmytro learned that Ukrainian servicemen had tried to rescue them.

At Hostomel Airport, the Russians destroyed the world's largest cargo plane, Mriya (Photo: Getty Images)

"There were massive shellings from our side, they (the Russians) were constantly running into the bunker. They couldn't focus on their positions. In the first hour, they started building fortifications and digging trenches. In terms of discipline, that was a plus, but in the end, it led to nothing," the interlocutor recalls.

He especially wants to highlight the work of Ukrainian aviation at that time. On the first day, a Ukrainian pilot flew out daily to bomb the runway. They called him "kamikaze": he continuously refueled, loaded ammunition, and returned to battle. Unfortunately, he was later shot down, but he did everything possible and impossible to prevent Russian troops from securing their position in Hostomel.

Now, three years later, the soldier remembers these events as one of the defining moments when, thanks to the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russian advance on the capital was prevented. The enemy captured the airport, but its main goal failed. Even their highly experienced airborne troops faced fierce resistance and found themselves trapped under constant strikes from our artillery and MLRS.

The actions of Ukrainian troops bought time for reinforcements, which helped derail the enemy’s plans. This became key to the defense of the Kyiv region. By pinning down enemy convoys, blowing up bridges, and disrupting their logistics, the Russians lost their most valuable resource — time. That is why the defense of the capital was successful, he believes.

Dmytro himself spent an entire year in captivity. He was exchanged in February 2023. During that time, he was held in complete informational isolation. The Russians constantly tried to convince him that Kyiv had allegedly already been captured. But he held onto hope that all of it was a lie.

"I have lost so many comrades. But their deaths must not be in vain. I want the fighting to end on the most favorable terms for us. Victory, for me, means negotiations from a position of strength so that our comrades stop dying," the defender emphasizes.

Irpin. Battles with the Russians and defense of the city at Karavan Gala checkpoint

In 2022, Irpin became one of the key cities that held back the advance of Russian troops in Kyiv. After the capture of Hostomel Airport, the enemy tried to break through the city but encountered fierce resistance.

The battles in Irpin lasted throughout March, with massive shelling, airstrikes, and destruction. Residents were evacuated through the destroyed bridge in Romanivka, often under fire from Russian sniper— this route was called the Road of Life.

At the end of March, Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive, and on March 28, Irpin was liberated. The city withstood, but at a high cost, becoming one of the symbols of Ukrainian resistance and resilience.

A veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war and a participant in the battles for Irpin, Volodymyr Parkhoniuk now heads Veteran Space.Irpin. "Due to my health condition, I can no longer perform combat duties, so I have focused on veteran affairs. I believe I can contribute much more in this field," he notes.

A veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war and head of the veteran space Volodymyr Parkhoniuk (photo: RBC-Ukraine)

Our interlocutor is a soldier with extensive experience. He defended Ukraine long before the full-scale war began. Together with the defender, we walked through places in Irpin that became historic battlegrounds. Along the way, he recalled one of the first battles he participated in at the beginning of Russia’s invasion.

"When the Russians broke into the city from the Synerhiya residential complex, they tried to go through the parking lot and the water utility into the city itself. That was our first battle — on March 5. Before that, on March 3, we entered Bucha for a clearing operation. We saw that the situation was difficult. Higher command ordered us to fall back to Irpin. The enemy's numerical superiority meant that we had to preserve our forces for future battles rather than waste them on a single engagement. Overall, we won the battle," he recalls.

On the outskirts of Irpin, the veteran points to a fence still riddled with bullet holes—a stark reminder of the horrifying events that took place here nearly three years ago. This was a former checkpoint in the military called the Karavan Gala. Just five hundred meters further, Hostomel begins.

"On March 21, one of the most significant and brutal battles for Irpin took place here. From 8 AM to 4 PM, Russian invaders tried to penetrate the city through the military hospital. My position with a comrade was right behind this fence. It was here that, on March 21, Ihor Krotkykh was killed, and on the same day, Vitaliy Popovych (Volodymyr’s comrades—ed.) was wounded and taken prisoner," the veteran recalls.

Ihor Krotkykh stood shoulder to shoulder with Volodymyr and died in his arms. Despite the losses, our defenders managed to eliminate many Russian troops in that battle.

The residential complex near which fierce battles with Russian forces took place (photo: Getty Images)

"They broke through from the military hospital area and tried to cross the road into Irpinski Lypky. They partially succeeded, but most of them were left lying on the road they were trying to cross," says Volodymyr.

During the early weeks, the area near the Irpinski Lypky residential complex became a crucial strategic point in Irpin’s defense. Russian troops attempted to break through this area to gain control and expand their zone of occupation. They used artillery and tanks, trying to advance through nearby roads and territories.

During one of the most intense battles on March 21, the enemy's objective was to break through the city's defenses in this sector, the veteran recalls.

"Tanks kept rolling out from Hostomel’s motor depot, constantly firing at the area. At first, we didn’t understand why, but then it became clear that they were deliberately destroying cover to secure a landing for their forces. This spot was meant to serve as a reinforcement area for personnel arriving from Hostomel. They were already in Bucha and were supposed to break through and fortify in a strategic location," he adds.

During the battles that spring, nearly 70% of Irpin’s buildings were damaged—from private homes to apartment complexes. After liberation, the city united, held meetings with residents, and began reconstruction efforts. Commissions were formed to assess buildings for repair suitability. This process is still ongoing.

Road of life and victory in the war

In March 2022, when the city was surrounded by Russian troops, thousands of Irpin residents were saved by the Road of Life. The only way out of the city was through the Romanivka neighborhood, where people risked their lives to escape the shelling and mines. This route became the only hope for hundreds of civilians during those dark days.

"There were no other ways out of the city. Stoyanka and Bucha were occupied by Russians, as was Hostomel. The bridge towards Kyiv was destroyed. The only way out was through the Romanivka neighborhood, under that bridge. Thousands of people made it out and, thank God, were able to escape from a city engulfed in intense battles," says Volodymyr.

His wife is also a soldier. In Irpin, she carried out combat missions assigned to her by command. Their children and mother-in-law remained in a basement until March 12. When his wife completed her tasks, Volodymyr evacuated them along that very Road of Life.

Footage of the evacuation through the bridge went viral worldwide. This route was called the Road of Life (photo: Getty Images)

Now, on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr has one main thought — about victory. He also thinks about helping veterans and rebuilding the city and the country. Despite media discussions about ceasefire negotiations, he is convinced that Ukraine must fight until the end, until full victory and the restoration of the 1991 borders.

"All political debates should come later, only after victory. This will remain in our memory forever. Even when the city is rebuilt, we will always remember who was involved in these events. No Russian should be on our land. At most — a foot, but without the body," the veteran says.

On February 24, as every other day, he remembers the comrades he fought with to defend Ukraine. He says volunteers are people who took up arms not for financial incentives but to protect their city and country. Everyone united for one goal — to drive out the enemy and prevent the city from falling.

"We always helped each other, even people we didn’t know. Someone could give away their last possession if needed. The same applied to food—we shared everything and helped civilians with medicine and bread. The concept of 'comrade-in-arms' is not just a word. A comrade is someone you share your last piece of bread with, always come to their aid, and do for them what you might not even do for yourself," Volodymyr firmly believes.

The veteran remembers fallen comrades at the Alley of Fallen Heroes in Irpin (photo: RBC-Ukraine)

At the Alley of Fallen Heroes on the pedestrian square in central Irpin, the faces of those who gave their lives in battles for Ukraine are displayed today.

"More than 170 guys from Irpin gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom and independence. These are the best of the nation, irreplaceable. They are true patriots and defenders of Ukraine. We must always remember them," the veteran emphasizes.