The defense of the Donetsk airport is one of the most interesting battles of the currently ongoing "hybrid" Russian warfare---it has held out far longer than Stalingrad did and proves an active defense with fewer men can in fact negate the offensive power of a far stronger opponent.
It has given back to the Ukrainian Army it's self respect, and proven they can take on even the Russian SF and win---it is all about perception and right now the UA is sensing a shift on the ground after they were beaten back in August by the Russian Army.
It has been achieved through a mixture of independent volunteers much like the US militia of 1776 and regular airborne units. There has been some respect comments drifting out of Russian social media on their fighting abilities in the last few weeks.
#ATO: Terrorists fled in panic after a failed attack on defenders of #Donetsk airport #Ukraine.
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