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

The Battle of Irpin is an ongoing battle being fought for control over the city of Irpin 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 Irpin, Bucha, 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 invasion, north of Irpin 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 Irpin and the nearby city of Bucha with the goal of encircling Kyiv.

On 25 February 2022, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian column heading to Irpin. On 26 February 2022, a resident in Irpin recorded a video claiming that Russian paratroopers were disguising themselves as civilians.

27 February 2022
On 27 February, Ukrainian forces reported that Russian ground forces had advanced into Bucha and later made a breakthrough from Bucha towards Irpin, thus also initiating the battle for Irpin. A tank battle ensued inside the city while Ukrainian infantry engaged Russian VDV. The mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushin, reported that the Russian forces were attempting to break through the city but were being repulsed by Ukrainian Ground Forces and Territorial Defense Forces, with tank reinforcements coming from Bucha. Intense fighting occurred at the Giraffe Mall, located between Bucha and Irpin. Videos posted by Ukrainian soldiers showed a destroyed armored personnel carrier and at least six dead Russian soldiers.

The Ukrainian forces used rockets and artillery bombardments and airstrikes to halt the Russian advances. Ukrainian forces also destroyed a bridge connecting Bucha and Irpin to prevent more Russian ground forces from entering Irpin.

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 Bucha on the same day.

28 February 2022
On 28 February 2022, advisor Oleksiy Arestovych, reported that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian forces on the Irpin-Zhytomyr highway during the morning and that more than 200 units of various vehicles were destroyed or damaged by 2 p.m.

2 March 2022
On 2 March 2022, two Russian Su-25s conducted airstrikes in Irpin. Two missiles struck a residential building, killing a child and injuring a woman. One of the Su-25s was shot down in turn. A close inspection revealed the aircraft's flight number RF-91961, which later identified the aircraft as an Su-25SM belonging to the Russian 18th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment. The fate of the pilot is unknown.

Ukrainian Ground Forces reported that the Russian forces have begun to lose the offensive initiative, taking significant casualties and being stopped at "unfavorable borders".

3 March 2022
On 3 March 2022, the Kyiv Oblast State Administration announced that 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.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced that a Russian Su-30 was shot down over Irpin.

5 - 6 March 2022
On 5 March 2022, Ukrainian Ground Forces began to evacuate civilians from Irpin to Kyiv on foot. Complicating the efforts is a collapsed bridge that was bombed by warplanes. On 6 March 2022, it was reported that Russian forces were still in control of parts of Irpin. During the evacuation, eight civilians, two of which were children, were killed by a shelling suspected to be fired by Russian mortar units.

Reaction

 * https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/milwaukee-alderman-khalif-rainey-milwaukees-sister-city-irpin-ukraine-is-under-siege-and-can-use-some-help/
 * https://www.cbs58.com/news/irpin-milwaukees-sister-city-in-ukraine-hit-hard-by-russian-invasion
 * https://www.cbs58.com/news/mayor-johnson-speaks-with-mayor-of-irpin-milwaukees-sister-city-in-ukraine
 * https://www.cbs58.com/news/it-tears-me-up-milwaukeeans-with-ukrainian-ties-say-they-feel-helpless-and-angry
 * https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/wisconsin-lawmakers-issue-statements-on-invasion-of-ukraine-hold-russia-accountable