User:I edit things that come to mind/sandbox/Battle of Bucha

The Battle of Bucha is an ongoing battle being fought for control over the city of Bucha between the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of the Kyiv offensive (2022), the Russian forces sought control over Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel in order to encircle and besiege the Ukrainian capital city Kyiv from the west. Due to the intensity of the Kyiv offensive, the Kyiv Oblast State Administration named Bucha, along with Irpin, Hostomel, Highway M06, and Vyshhorod as the most dangerous places in the Kyiv Oblast.

Prelude
In the beginning of the invasion, north of Bucha in the town of Hostomel, Russian forces captured the Hostomel Airport and established a foothold in the town. Although the Ukrainian military contested the Russian occupation in Hostomel, Russian forces began to move south to capture Bucha and the nearby city of Irpin with the goal of encircling Kyiv.

Prior to the battle, on 25 February 2022, it was reported that Russian soldiers seized in apartment complex in or near Bucha and evicted the residents before retreating into the forests.

27 February 2022
On 27 February, Ukrainian forces reported that Russian ground forces had advanced into Bucha, thus beginning the battle for the city. These forces reportedly include tanks, Russian VDV, engineering and bridging units, and reserves from the 36th Combined Arms Army. Russian artilley bombarded the city, damaging several houses, buildings, and other infrastructures in the process. Residents reported losing access to water, gas, and electricity due to the shelling. The Russian forces later managed to breakthrough the city and elements of it advanced towards the neighboring city of Irpin, thus also initiating a battle for Irpin. A resident recorded footage of Russian forces attacking the city's Afghan soldier monument and a nearby passing civilian motorist, possibly mistaking them for enemy vehicles. One man was killed and another was wounded from the attack.

The Ukrainian forces used rocket and artillery bombardments and airstrikes to halt the Russian advances. The State Special Communications Service of Ukraine reported that one of these artillery strikes destroyed a convoy of Russian armored vehicles they designated as "Group V" (due to the letter "V" marked on the vehicles) and that over 100 units of equipment were destroyed. Ukrainian forces also destroyed a bridge connecting Bucha and Irpin to prevent more Russian ground forces from entering Irpin.

Ukrainian advisor Oleksiy Arestovych claimed that the residents of Bucha have also joined the fight, throwing Molotov cocktails at Russian armored vehicles and paratroopers. Anton Herashchenko reported that the civilians attacked a Russian column of 30 armored vehicles, setting one or two of them on fire.

At some point during the day, Ukrainian authorities warned the residents of Bucha not to get on buses that were "evacuating" out of the city, as they have not initiated any evacuation. Ukrainian authorities claimed that it was a ruse employed by the Russian forces to trail behind the fully loaded buses in order to gain entry into Kyiv, using the civilians as human shields. This warning was also reported in Irpin on the same day.

28 February 2022
On 28 February 2022, Ukrainian forces engaged and destroyed a Russian armor column. The city's mayor, Anatoliy Fedoruk, published a selfie video showing the smoldering wreckage. He claims there were no Ukrainian civilian or military casualties from the attack.

1 - 2 March 2022
The fighting subsided enough that residents and journalists were able to walk out into the streets and photograph destroyed or abandoned Russian vehicles and equipment. These photos were circulated through Ukrainian news outlets, whom some described Bucha as a "graveyard" for the destroyed Russian equipment.

On 2 March 2022, Ukrainian forces began sending humanitarian aid towards Bucha.

3 March 2022
On 3 March 2022, the Kyiv Oblast State Administration announced more humanitarian aid were heading towards Bucha and Irpin, as well evacuations commencing in both cities. More than 1500 women and children were reported to have evacuated by train and another 250 were evacuated by bus. These evacuations however were complicated by the railway tracks in some routes getting destroyed and ongoing skirmishes between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Ukrainian Ground Forces later announced that Bucha has been "liberated"; posting a video on social media of Ukrainian soldiers raising a Ukrainian flag near the city council building. Additionally, Ukrainian emergency teams restored electricity in the city. Russian forces however continued to fight inside the city, but were reported to be repulsed and pushed back into the outskirts of the city by Ukrainian forces.

4 - 5 March 2022
On 4 March 2022, Anatoliy Fedoruk confirmed that the city remains under Ukrainian control despite the Russian forces probing the defenses. On 5 March 2022, Russian forces continued to attack Bucha but were continuously repulsed.

6 March 2022
On 6 March 2022, the Russian forces resorted to shelling the city, killing untold numbers of civilians. The city council reported that civilians have taken shelter in basements and that the city were not able to receive humanitarian aid due to the constant artillery bombardments.