To the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Krut

On January 29, Ukraine marks the anniversary of the Battle of Krut, which for the Ukrainian people became a symbol of heroism and self-sacrifice of the younger generation in the fight for independence.

106 years ago, Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers stopped the Bolshevik offensive on Kyiv for several days. At that time, negotiations were underway in Brest between the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the countries of the Quadruple Alliance on a peace treaty. It was signed on February 9, 1918. This document recognized the independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and became the basis for providing military assistance to Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression.

The Battle of Krut is a battle for the future of Ukraine. Thanks to the support of German and Austro-Hungarian troops, in accordance with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, on March 1, 1918, Ukrainians liberated Kyiv from the Bolsheviks, and in April – almost all of Ukraine. In the first war of the 20th century with the Russian aggressor – Soviet Russia – the Ukrainian People’s Republic was victorious.

The fate of the young Ukrainian state was decided in Kruty. Several hundred brave young men and men made their choice – they opposed Russian military aggression, stood up for the defense of Ukraine. They were of different origins: children of peasants, workers, a priest; soldiers, students, high school students. Some had military training, and some took up arms for the first time. But they all understood the main thing – Ukraine needs their rank.

Kruty – a symbol of the struggle for the independence of Ukraine in the 20th and 21st centuries. The feat of the Kruty people, like all the Heroes of the liberation struggle, became an example for the defenders of Ukraine in the modern Russian-Ukrainian war. It is noteworthy that the courage and sacrifice of the Kruty people are compared with the courage and endurance of the defenders of Donetsk airport in the current Russian-Ukrainian war. Therefore, the Heroes of Kruty are often called «the first cyborgs» in journalism.

On January 29, at Kruty station, the Bolshevik offensive was stopped by Ukrainian units, which were reinforced by students from the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Kyiv Youth Military School and the Auxiliary Student Kuren of the Sich Riflemen. So, four hundred from the 1st Bohdan Khmelnytsky Kyiv Youth School and the 1st hundred from the Student Kuren of the Sich Riflemen (a total of over 500 soldiers and 20 foremen) took part in the battle. They were armed with 16 machine guns and a homemade armored train, 3 conventional artillery guns mounted on a railway platform, and rifles. They were joined by about 80 volunteers from the Free Cossack detachment from Nizhyn. The Russians were ten times more numerous, had an armored train and artillery.

According to various estimates, 70-100 Ukrainian defenders died near Kruty. Russian losses alone were at least 300 invaders killed.

Many young patriots — active participants in the celebration of the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Kruty are now, with weapons in their hands, step by step bringing our victory over the descendants of the Russian-Bolshevik aggressor — the racists. Then the defenders of Ukrainian independence could not stand the fight against the overwhelming forces of the aggressor. Today we must complete their work. We have a professional, patriotic and motivated army, international support. And we know that defeat in the war with Russia means for Ukrainians repressions, Holodomor, deportations and the destruction of our identity.

Today, thousands of Ukrainians who were peaceful people yesterday stood up to defend Ukraine: teachers, students, managers, businessmen, historians, singers. Sincere gratitude to all who are now fighting for our victory, the right to live in a free country on our land.

Despite the fact that neither the enemy nor his methods of war have changed in 100 years, we have a real chance to complete this struggle. Because our society has made its choice in favor of the free democratic development of its own state. And it is ready to defend this choice, each on its own front – military, volunteer, historical.