April 2, 2026, marks four years since the liberation of the Kyiv region from Russian occupation, a significant milestone achieved through the coordinated efforts of defense forces, volunteers, and local residents. The offensive lasted 38 days, culminating in the withdrawal of Russian troops from key locations.
On the evening of April 2, 2022, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced the successful reclamation of the Kyiv region. This followed the exit of the last Russian units from towns such as Bucha, Hostomel, and Borodyanka, with Irpin liberated just days prior.
The occupation left a trail of devastation, including ruins and mass graves. According to the Kyiv Regional Military Administration (KOVA), 1,370 residents were killed during the occupation, with 714 of these deaths attributed to torture.
Significant destruction was reported across 46 of the 69 territorial communities in Kyiv region due to the fighting in February and March 2022, resulting in nearly 27,000 damaged buildings. Borodyanka and Moshchun experienced the most extensive damage, with up to 70% of structures either completely or partially destroyed. Images of the devastation in Bucha and Borodyanka, particularly the latter which was bombed extensively, gained international attention.
The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory indicated that the Kyiv region was a strategic target in the broader context of the Russian invasion planned for February 2022. The aim was to capture the capital within three to five days, compelling the Ukrainian government to capitulate under Russian terms.
The strategy involved missile strikes on strategic sites in Kyiv region, seizing military airfields near the capital, and deploying troops from Belarus. However, the Russian advance faltered by late March, particularly after the destruction of a dam near Kozarovichi, which caused the Irpin River to flood and hinder Russian troop movements. Remaining Russian forces in the Irpin area found themselves encircled.
Irpin was liberated on March 28, followed by one of the last major battles in the region at Dmitrivka on March 30. By April 1, the last Russian units had departed from Hostomel, and by April 2, the entire Kyiv region had been reclaimed.
In remembrance of the liberation, commemorative events are taking place. In Irpin, a memorial service for fallen soldiers was held on March 28, alongside the unveiling of 15 new portraits on the Memory Alley. In Borodyanka, residents honored the victims of the Russian occupation at a monument to Shevchenko.
A summit in Bucha on March 31, attended by EU parliament speakers and foreign ministers, coincided with the anniversary of the city’s liberation. European officials expressed support for the establishment of a special tribunal to address Russian war crimes.
Investigators have recorded nearly 12,000 war crimes in Bucha and its vicinity, as reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. Charges have been brought against 215 individuals, with cases involving 157 Russian soldiers still pending in court. Convictions have been secured against 29 Russian military personnel.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, over 217,000 war crimes have been documented by the Office of the Prosecutor General. Many of these cases are being processed in absentia, without the presence of the accused. However, Kravchenko noted that a robust evidentiary foundation is being established, which will support both national prosecutions and future cases in international tribunals.
The Kyiv region's liberation from Russian forces on April 2, 2022, has been marked by significant destruction and loss of life. Commemorative events are underway as investigations into war crimes continue, highlighting the ongoing impact of the conflict.