Historical Lessons for Ukrainians Resisting Russian Invasion

In 1982, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv celebrated its 1,500th anniversary. Unfortunately, as Kyiv was occupied by multiple invaders over the centuries, the city’s rich history is also filled with tragedy. Kyiv survived assaults by the Khazars, Varangians, Mongols, and Tatars. The city faced occupation by Germany during the First World War, fell under the control of the Red and the Whites over the course of the Russian Civil War, and suffered greatly during World War II.

In 1941, during the First Battle of Kyiv, the German Army successfully conducted the largest encirclement of an enemy force in the history of warfare. The battle was among the worst defeats for the Soviet Red Army, which suffered more than 700,000 casualties, including some 616,000 who were killed, captured, or missing.

Just two and a half years later, the Red Army had its revenge during the Second Battle of Kyiv, part of the broader Soviet offensive known as the Battle of the Dnieper. The Red Army successfully retook the city, but the German defenders seriously bloodied several sizable Soviet formations and kept a vital rail link open. As with many Soviet attacks conducted during the "Great Patriotic War," numbers won the day—a tactic that may not play so well for the modern Russian Army.

If the Third Battle of Kyiv occurs, it would be just as devastating for the Russian Army. Even if it can successfully encircle the city, it will face fierce resistance.

Kyiv is now a fortress. Trenches run deep into the woods surrounding the highway leading from the south, and colossal metal anti-tank barriers—Czech hedgehogs—are placed at regular intervals along the road. The blue and yellow national flag of Ukraine flies everywhere.