28/01/2022 18:19

January 29 - Kruty Heroes Remembrance Day

104 years ago, on January 29, 1918, Ukrainians restrained the enemy's attack on Kyiv, showing sacrifice and heroism for the sake of Ukraine's independence. About four hundred young men and students were able to stop a 4,000-strong Bolshevik unit led by Socialist-Revolutionary Mikhail Muravyov.

The battle of Ukrainian soldiers against the Bolshevik army at Kruty station detained the enemy for four days. Thus, the volunteers kept the capital for the time necessary for the conclusion of the Brest-Litovsk peace. At that time, negotiations were taking place between the Ukrainian People's Republic and the countries of the Quaternary Union. On February 9, 1918, the Brest Peace Treaty was signed. It meant the recognition of the independent Ukrainian People’s Republic as a subject of international relations.

After a fierce battle of many hours, using the twilight, the Ukrainian troops retreated in an organized manner from the Kruty station to their echelons. 27 students and high school students who were in the reserve were taken prisoner during the retreat. The next day they were shot or murdered. They were later buried at Askold's grave in Kyiv.

The losses of Ukrainian troops near Kruty are estimated at 70-100 dead according to modern estimates. Among them are 37-39 students and high school students killed in battle and shot. To date, the names of 20 of them are known. These are students of the People's University Alexander Sherstyuk, Isidor Purik, Borozenko-Kononchuk, Golovashchuk, Chizhov, Sirik, Omelchenko (centurion); students of St. Volodymyr University Oleksandr Popovych, Volodymyr Shulhyn, Mykola Lyzogub, Bozhko-Bozhynsky, Dmytrenko, Andriyiv; grammar school students of the 2nd Cyril and Methodius Gymnasium Andriy Sokolovsky, Yevhen Ternavsky, Volodymyr Hnatkevych (from the 6th grade), Hryhir Pipsky (Galician), Ivan Sorokevych (from the 7th grade), Pavlo Kolchenko (ensign), Mykola Hanke 8th grade).

The losses of the Bolshevik troops near Kruty were significant, reaching only 300 soldiers killed.

This battle became a symbol of the invincibility of the Ukrainian people and their desire for independence of their own state. The courage and sacrifice of the Krutyans became an example for future generations of defenders of Ukraine. Kruty's heroes are compared to the defenders of Donetsk airport and are called "the first cyborgs".

Preserving the national memory of such important battles for Ukrainian statehood helps Ukrainians today to resist Russian aggression and defend their homeland.

Remember the feat of the Heroes of Kruty!