January 29 is a day for Ukrainians to honor the Memory Day of the Heroes of Kruty – young fighters who defended Ukraine over a century ago. Their bravery, much like that of today's defenders, symbolizes resilience and courage. UNIAN shares the history behind this commemorative date.
In December 1917, the Soviet government of Russia launched an open aggression against the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR). The Bolsheviks were provoked by Ukraine's declaration of independence, prompting Moscow to establish a separate "Ukrainian Red Government" in Kharkiv, which declared war on the independent part of the state.
The Ukrainian military command anticipated the Bolshevik advance from the Poltava direction, but the attack began from another side.
In December 1917, the Bahmach station in Chernihiv region – a crucial railway hub at the border of the UPR and Russia – was guarded by a detachment from the First Ukrainian Military School named after B. Khmelnytsky. At the beginning of 1918, they received reinforcements from Kyiv - the 1st company of the Student Sich Riflemen's Regiment. These were students from the Ukrainian People's University, Kyiv's St. Vladimir University (now named after T. Shevchenko), and high school seniors. They took defensive positions near the Kruty station – between Nizhyn and Bahmach, about 130 km from Kyiv.
On January 29, 1918, the Bolsheviks began their assault on the Kruty station. Estimates of their numbers range from 4,000 to 6-7,000. From the Ukrainian side, between 300 and 600 fighters participated in the battle. The combat lasted several hours: multiple attacks were repelled, with Bolshevik losses amounting to up to 300 killed, along with additional wounded and captured.
However, to avoid encirclement, the Ukrainian troops were ordered to retreat. During the withdrawal, part of the student company found themselves surrounded. A platoon lost their bearings in the twilight and ended up at the Kruty station, which had already been occupied by Red Army soldiers. Around 30 young men were captured, tortured, and subsequently executed.
The Ukrainian forces carried out the command's orders – the Bolshevik advance was halted. Our troops organized a retreat, destroying tracks and bridges behind them. This allowed Symon Petliura to suppress the Bolshevik uprising that had begun at the "Arsenal" factory around the same time.
During these days, negotiations were ongoing between the UPR and the countries of the Quadruple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria). It was crucial that the Ukrainian capital remained under the control of the Central Rada, and the delay of the Bolsheviks at Kruty made this possible.
On February 9, 1918, the Brest Peace Treaty was signed – the UPR was recognized as an independent state, and its army received support from the German and Austro-Hungarian armies in their fight against the Bolsheviks.
About 30 young men who were captured by the Bolsheviks after the battle and executed were buried near Askold's Tomb. All of them are heroes of Kruty, but only 19 names of the fallen are known. Additionally, Pavlo Tychyna dedicated the poem "In Memory of the Thirty" to the Heroes of Kruty.
In 2006, a monument was erected at the site of the battle of Kruty.
Furthermore, thematic lectures and meetings are held at museums, and historical lessons are conducted in educational institutions to highlight the events of January 1918 and the heroism of the Heroes of Kruty in observance of the Memory Day of the Heroes of Kruty.