FIRST UKRAINIAN MILITARY YOUTH SCHOOL NAMED AFTER BOHDAN KHMELNYTSKYI IN THE BATTLE OF KRUTY (29 JANUARY 1918)

Abstract

The article deals with the up-to-date and vital issue of Ukrainian nation’s patriotism in opposition to Bilshovyk aggression in 1917–1918 and battle for Kruty as its vivid example. This thesis also determines a historical background of the First Ukrainian military youth school named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi appearance, which became a core striking force in the battle of Krytu. The background reasons includean outbreak of Soviet-Ukrainian war in 1917–1918. In particular, offensive operation towards Kyiv under command of lieutenant colonel M.Muravyov which stimulated military command of Central Council of Ukraine, at the very beginning of 1918, to take measures to oppose Bilshovyk aggression. Council’s achievements and miscalculations in the battle of Kruty are also highlighted in the article. Major achievements include favourable location of Ukrainian military units; qualified battle-hardened command that took part in the WWI; proper military training attained by cadets and high-school students; availability of mane uverable cannon mounted on a train platform. It is also possible to define the following miscalculations of the Military school, i.e. lack of weaponry and massive advantage of Soviet forces. We also made a research on the consequences of the battle of Kruty to the army of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi military school and Ukraine in particular. We came to a conclusion and state that it was readiness to sacrifice, demonstrated by patriotic youth of the Military school and members of allied military unitsthat made it possible to delay the enemy. As a result, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed. It promoted Ukrainian National Republic as an independent state, international legal entity as well as encouraged Ukrainian allied countries to declare opposition to Bilshovyk Russia.