NATO simulates battle for Kyiv's Hostomel airport, drawing on Ukraine's 2022 combat experience
Photo: The battles for Ukraine's Hostomel have become a model for NATO exercises (Getty Images)
During military exercises in Finland, NATO forces simulated a battle for Hostomel Airport. The troops practiced both capturing an enemy airfield and defending it, taking into account the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2022, informs Business Insider.
During the "Live Sabre" exercises, the "red team," comprising Polish Airborne Forces and Finnish troops, conducted a tactical airborne operation on a runway in a forest.
The paratroopers quickly seized the strategically located airfield. They aimed to hold it and deploy infantry and heavy weapons there for a lightning-fast attack. It is worth noting that Russia used a similar tactic in close combat near Kyiv in 2022.
According to Business Insider, Finland does not have its own airborne units. Therefore, involving paratroopers from the Polish Army in these exercises was valuable experience for a NATO newcomer army.
Business Insider added that NATO openly acknowledges these drills partly stem from Russia's attempt to carry out such an operation at the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian forces tried to capture Hostomel Airport on the outskirts of Kyiv during the initial assault on the Ukrainian capital. According to the publication, this would have given Moscow a decisive advantage. The Kremlin could have deployed more troops, artillery, and combat equipment to strike Kyiv from a minimal distance.
At the same time, Business Insider noted that NATO countries, especially those bordering Russia, closely monitor events in Ukraine and use the gained experience for their own defense preparations in case of a Russian threat.
NATO's preparation for war
Recently, the North Atlantic Alliance requested Germany to provide seven more brigades — about 40,000 troops — to strengthen NATO's defense.
Earlier, a Bundeswehr report mentioned Russia's preparations for a possible large-scale war with NATO.
It is assumed that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to achieve his goals by force.
