Battle of Ivankiv

Battle context

The Battle of Ivankiv occurred on February 25, 2022, one day after Russian forces crossed the Russia–Ukraine and Belarus–Ukraine borders into northern Ukraine, advancing into the oblasts of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Zhytomyr. The broader Russian operation in this theater was directed at capturing Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital and seat of government. With Russian forces under Aleksandr Chaiko numbering approximately 70,000 against roughly 20,000 Ukrainian defenders, the engagement at Ivankiv formed part of the opening thrust toward the capital along the northern axis. Control of territory between the border and Kyiv was central to Russia's early campaign objectives, making engagements along this route consequential to whether the initial drive on Kyiv could be sustained or repelled.