The air assault on Hostomel was not a failure of the VDV but of the follow on forces

Footage from inside the VDV air assault formation over the Kyiv Reservoir Feb.2022 before two helicopters were shot down by Ukrainian TDF.

One of the most disastrous airborne operations in history. pic.twitter.com/FPe06ZAGZN

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) February 1, 2026

The battle of Hostomel airport is trending because of recently posted video. I've been wanting a credible after action on this fight for years. I have yet to see one.

With the limited information I've seen on this assault the VDV did their job.  Even with the CIA giving the Ukrainians advanced warnings they were able to capture the airport for a little while.

What failed is the armored force that was supposed to link up with them and the failure to conduct parachute operations to land other airborne units to reinforce the initial assault.

Air landing additional forces was impossible?  Then drop them on the X!  Your armored force stalled?  Then get some fucking mass and push thru!

The US is heavily reliant on helicopters but I thought the Russians were extremely airborne centric.

I was wrong.

Putin fucked up this fight by going limited instead of balls to the wall.  Still waiting for the after action to be released to the public but from my seat, the objective was in reach right up till the end.

Leadership chopped off their own nuts and sacrificed men because they lacked the will to win.

Note.  This is not a pro Russian post, just my SIMPLE analysis of the fight.