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On 1 March 2022, the Voznesensk territorial defense battalion, made up of civilian volunteers, took up a defensive position at a checkpoint on the P55 highway [uk] outside the village of Malosolone [uk].[4] A column of Russian military vehicles left Yelanets for Voznesensk around 5:00 the next morning.[10][11] At 10:00, the column approached the Ukrainian position, and the leading BMP was disabled during a battle, which slowed down the Russian advance. The Ukrainians withdrew to the city of Voznesensk having lost one fighter.[4] The Russian column passed through the village of Voznesenske [uk] around 12:49, and entered Voznesensk around 13:53.[11][10]
In preparation, Yevgeniy Velychko, the mayor of the city and one of the Ukrainian commanders, stated that local businessmen helped Ukrainian forces create numerous roadblocks and destroyed a bridge over the Mertvovod River [uk] in Voznesensk, as well as digging out the shoreline of the river so that Russian vehicles could not ford it.[2]
Russian forces initiated the battle by shelling the city, damaging several buildings. Russian airborne troops were dropped to the southwest of the city, while an armored column advanced from the southeast, staging in the neighboring village of Rakove [uk].[2] A unit of Russian airborne troops also landed in the village of Andriichykove [uk].[12] Russian snipers created nests in several houses in the village, and Russian forces set up a base at a local petrol station. A Russian APC fired at the local Territorial Defense Forces base, killing several Ukrainian soldiers. Russian forces were unable to push into Voznesensk. Ukrainian artillery began shelling Russian positions, preventing Russian artillery from setting up their mortars.[2]
By nightfall, Russian tanks began firing into Voznesensk, but retreated after being met with counterfire. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces continued to shell Russian positions, destroying some Russian vehicles. Ukrainian soldiers advanced on foot, attacking Russian vehicles with American-supplied FGM-148 Javelin missiles, destroying at least three tanks. Ukrainian forces were also able to down a Russian Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter. Russian forces fully retreated on 3 March, abandoning equipment and vehicles. During their retreat, Russian artillery shelled Rakove, hitting a clinic. Russian forces also looted the village. The Russian column retreated 40 miles (64 km) to the southeast.[6][2] The 80th Air Assault Brigade retook Andriichykove, claiming to have killed 30 Russian airborne troops while losing 10 of their own soldiers.[12]
An entire Russian battalion tactical group (BTG) was destroyed in the battle. In total, 30 of the 43 Russian vehicles, including some tanks, were captured or destroyed.[9] Among them, Ukrainian forces were able to salvage 15 tanks. Local officials stated that around 100 Russian soldiers were killed and 10 were captured.[6][2] Ukrainian forces casualties were 43 soldiers, including Territorial Defense Forces.[9] 12 civilians were killed during the battle.[6][2]
Aftermath
On 5 March, Russian airborne troops reportedly landed in the village of Yastrubynove [uk], south of Voznesensk,[13][14] and two days later, a Russian helicopter was shot down in Rakove.[4]
The local Ukrainian forces continued to fortify the city after the assault, believing that Russian forces would continue their attacks.[1]
^ abcdeYaroslav Trofimov (2024). Our Enemies Will Vanish : The Russian invasion and Ukraine's war of independence. New York: Random House. pp. 131–135. ISBN9780593655184.
