Every year on January 29, Ukraine honors the memory of the Heroes of Kruty — Ukrainian patriots who, more than a century ago, in 1918, stood up to defend the independence of the proclaimed Ukrainian People's Republic. This date is one of the most striking examples of heroism, self-sacrifice, and national dignity in the history of our state. The feat of the Heroes of Kruty has become a symbol of the indomitability and resilience of the entire Ukrainian people in their struggle for independence.
The events of early 1918 were extremely dramatic for Ukraine. After declaring independence in 1917, the young Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) faced difficult challenges. Its government, led by Mykhailo Hrushevsky, sought to establish statehood, but internal instability and external threats complicated this process.
In particular, Bolshevik Russia, which did not recognize the UPR, launched an armed aggression. Its troops, commanded by Mikhail Muravyov, advanced on Kyiv in an attempt to capture the capital.
Volunteer units were formed to defend Kyiv. One of the key locations of the confrontation was the small village of Kruty, located 130 kilometers northeast of the capital.
About 400 cadets took part in the battle near Kruty – senior officers and cadets of the First Ukrainian Military School named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky, who already had combat experience at that time (some of them had even fought on the fronts of World War I), as well as fighters from the Death Squad , a volunteer unit formed from soldiers who had returned from World War I, and free Cossacks from the city of Hlukhiv, all of whom had combat experience. They constituted the main fighting force of the defenders of Kruty.
From the Student (Auxiliary) Kuren of Sich Riflemen, which included volunteers from among the students of St. Vladimir's University, the newly established Ukrainian People's University, high school students from the 2nd Ukrainian Gymnasium named after the Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood, and students from other educational institutions in Kyiv, only one hundred soldiers ended up at Kruty – according to various sources, between 114 and 130 fighters. They were placed in the safest section of the defense, while the youngest and those who did not know how to shoot were left in reserve.
In total, there were about 500 defenders and 20 officers on the Ukrainian side in the battle near Kruty. They were attacked by units of Petrograd and Moscow Red Guards from Yegorov's 1st Army, as well as a detachment of Baltic sailors from Berzin's 2nd Army, totaling more than 4,000 fighters.
Despite the enemy's significant advantage and the surrender of the station, the battle at Kruty was a fairly successful military operation. It lasted about six hours, and the Bolsheviks suffered significantly greater losses than the Ukrainian forces. Only in the evening were the defenders of Kruty forced to retreat in an organized manner, mainly because they were running out of ammunition. However, the heroic resistance ended in tragedy. Some of the Ukrainian defenders were killed in battle, and 27 students who were taken prisoner were executed by the Bolsheviks.
Despite the military defeat, delaying the enemy for several days had a strategic effect. It allowed the UNR to sign the Brest Peace Treaty, which effectively saved the young state from complete destruction.
In 1918, after the liberation of Kyiv from the Bolsheviks, the bodies of the fallen students were reburied at Askold's Grave. This funeral became an act of national mourning and gratitude.
The events at Kruty proved that even in the most difficult times, there are people willing to give their lives for their homeland. The heroes of Kruty remain a source of inspiration for modern Ukrainian soldiers who are defending our independence today. Their feat reminds us that the struggle for freedom is never easy, but it is always necessary.
Let us remember that independence and freedom are not a gift, but the result of the sacrificial struggle of many generations. The memory of the Heroes of Kruty calls on us to appreciate what we have and be ready to defend it from the enemy.